The Motet: Funk Fusion Innovators

The Motet is a dynamic American funk and improvisational music collective renowned for its electrifying live performances and genre-blending sound. Hailing from Denver, Colorado, the band has built a formidable reputation over two decades, headlining major festivals and releasing critically acclaimed albums that consistently chart on Billboard's Jazz and Heatseekers charts.

Early career

The Motet was formed in 1998 by drummer and producer Dave Watts, who sought to create a collaborative vehicle for funk and world music exploration. Initially rooted in Afrobeat and jazz-funk, the band quickly became a staple of the vibrant Colorado music scene, releasing early albums like Breathe (2001) and Music for Life (2004) on their own independent label.

Breakthrough

The band's national profile rose significantly in the late 2000s and early 2010s through relentless touring and a series of inventive albums. Their 2009 release Dig Deep and the 2014 album The Motet solidified their status, landing on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and expanding their fanbase across the jam and festival circuits.

Key tracks

Rippin' Herb — This instrumental track showcases the band's tight, horn-driven funk and became a live set staple.

Extraordinary — Featuring vocals by Lyle Divinsky, this song highlights the band's evolution into a more soul-infused sound.

Damn! — A high-energy funk anthem from their self-titled album that exemplifies their dance-floor-filling power.

Keep on Don't Stoppin' — This track underscores their ability to craft modern funk with classic influences and infectious grooves.

Following their breakthrough period, The Motet continued to evolve, incorporating more original songwriting and featuring a rotating cast of talented vocalists like Jans Ingber and Lyle Divinsky. Their 2016 album Totem and 2018's Death or Devotion further explored themes of soul and Afrobeat, receiving extensive airplay on jazz and jam radio formats. The band is known for high-profile collaborations, having shared stages and recorded with funk legends like Fred Wesley and members of The Meters.

Fans of The Motet's energetic blend of funk and improvisation also enjoy the sounds of Lettuce, another group reviving classic funk with a modern, instrumental edge. The soulful grooves of Vulfpeck share a similar minimalist, rhythm-first approach to funk music. The jazz-funk fusion of Snarky Puppy appeals to those who appreciate The Motet's musical complexity and collaborative spirit. For the high-energy jam band connection, listeners turn to Umphrey's McGee and their genre-defying live shows.

The Motet's vibrant catalog receives regular spins on a variety of radio stations featured on this website, particularly on specialty funk and soul programs, independent music radio stations, and online radio streams dedicated to the jam band scene. Their uptempo grooves and masterful musicianship make them a perfect fit for programming that aims to get listeners moving.

You can experience the potent funk of The Motet by tuning into radio stations available on onairium.com, where their music is featured alongside other pioneering artists in the groove and improvisation genres.