Smoove & Turrell

Smoove & Turrell and their North East story

Smoove & Turrell are one of the North East’s most distinctive modern soul acts, combining the production of Smoove with the voice and songwriting of John Turrell. Their story began in the region after the millennium, when a shared love of soul music brought together a group of working-class musicians around a sound that would eventually become known as Northern Funk. That phrase sums them up well: rooted in classic soul, but never interested in simply recreating it.

Their music pulls together northern soul, funk, blues, disco and electronic production, with Smoove’s studio approach giving the band a sharp rhythmic edge. Turrell’s vocals bring warmth and grit, while the wider live band adds the muscle needed to turn those records into big, energetic shows. The result is music that can feel equally at home on a dancefloor, in a club or on a festival stage.

From Antique Soul to a wider audience

The band’s debut album, Antique Soul, arrived in 2009 and set out the core of their sound. Since then, releases including Eccentric Audio, Broken Toys, Crown Posada, Mount Pleasant, Stratos Bleu and Red Ellen have expanded that palette without losing the identity that made them stand out. Over time, the songs have become increasingly comfortable dealing with social and political themes alongside everyday relationships, frustration and optimism.

Red Ellen is a good example of that balance. Named in tribute to influential politician Ellen Wilkinson, the album reinforces the group’s interest in northern identity and social justice while still delivering the grooves and hooks their audience expects. It is that mix of substance and immediacy that has helped Smoove & Turrell build a following well beyond the North East.

A major part of the region’s live scene

Although the band tour extensively, the North East remains central to their identity. Gateshead and Newcastle appearances continue to sit alongside national dates, and their connection to the region is more than geographical. It is built into the language, attitude and working-class perspective of the music itself.

SoundBite North East has featured Smoove & Turrell through regional live coverage, including major Newcastle appearances. Their longevity, catalogue and unmistakable sound make them one of the clearest examples of a North East act turning local roots into something with national and international reach.