The Haggis Horns + The 7.45s / DJ Lubi’s Big Funk/Soul Xmas Party / Brudenell Leeds

Leeds jazz/soul/global beats promoter and legend DJ Lubi has been hosting an annual Christmas party at Brudenell Social Club these last few years. The previous three years have been Latin and African music events. For 2026, it will be a funk and soul party featuring UK funk legends The Haggis Horns, Manchester’s deep soul stars The 7:45s, and the DIG Family DJs dropping vinyl 45s all night long.

The Haggis Horns have been a driving force in the UK funk scene for over two and a half decades, first making waves as the horn section on the legendary “Keb Darge Presents The New Mastersounds” deep funk release in 2001. In 2004, they stepped into the spotlight as a full band, crafting their own signature northern funk sound – a powerhouse fusion of breakbeats, afrobeat, soul, gritty funk and hip-hop. They’ve spent years igniting dance floors and festival crowds worldwide, earning a reputation as one of the UK’s most formidable live acts.
Along the way, they’ve released five funk-fueled albums – “Hot Damn!” and “Keep On Movin” for London independent soul/hip-hop/jazz label First Word Records, and three records on their own label Haggis Records, which they launched in 2015 – “What Comes To Mind”, “One Of These Days”, and their last album release “Stand Up For Love” (2021).

The members of The Haggis Horns have also played and recorded with some of the biggest names in popular music, including Jamiroquai, John Legend & The Roots, Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Take That, Mark Ronson, Martha Reeves, Roots Manuva, Lou Donaldson, Elbow, Nightmares On Wax, Dennis Coffey, Adele, Finley Quaye, Robbie Williams, Morcheeba, Duran Duran, Craig Charles Presents The Fantasy Funk Band, Snowboy, The Cinematic Orchestra, Lisa Stansfield, Kano, Estelle, Lily Allen, KT Tunstall and Bahiana, just to name a few! Producer Mark Ronson described them as “the best horn section in the world”.
Their sound is feel-good funk, deep soul and boogie that pays homage to the band’s musical heroes of the 1970s – The JBs, Maceo Parker, Kool & The Gang (early days), Donald Byrd, The Blackbyrds, The Mizell Brothers, Earth Wind & Fire and of course, the Average White Band. Playing a mix of instrumental funk alongside vocal tracks (featuring Mancunian soul brother number one Martin Connor on lead vocals), they deliver dancer friendly sets every time that guarantee to pack the floor.

It’s over three years since their last Leeds gig (also at the Brudenell), so it’s great to have them back rocking this big DJ Lubi Xmas Funk & Soul Party.

Support comes from highly rated Mancunian soul band The 7:45s.

The brainchild of songwriter, bassist and guitarist Sam Flynn, The 7:45s are inspired by the house bands of soul labels from Motown to Big Crown. The soul collective features some of the finest musicians on the Manchester scene, spotlighting guest vocalists such as Yemi Bolatiwa and regular collaborator Martin Connor (also lead singer of The Haggis Horns). Named after 7-inch vinyl, The 7:45s write snappy singles influenced by seventies soul and disco. They blend the vintage sound of rare groove with the songcraft of perfect pop – then add autobiographical lyrics and rhythmic twists.

In summer 2022, The 7:45s tracked 17 songs in 3 days live at the vintage studio EVE in Stockport. They were eventually released throughout 2025 on vinyl 45 singles, plus the debut album (also vinyl), on LRK Records. At least 11 of the 17 songs have been played on BBC Radio 6 Music by DJs such as Deb Grant, Craig Charles and Chris Hawkins. BBC Radio 2’s DJ Spoony played ‘I Want You, Say You’re Mine’. The 7:45s have also performed live on BBC Radio 4, hosted by fellow Lancastrian and 6 Music DJ Stuart Maconie. Live, The 7:45s boast male and female vocalists, beautiful harmonies, blasting brass and a tight rhythm section, producing a wall of sound that’s built for the dancefloor. The perfect support for this gig.

On the decks spinning 100% vinyl funk/soul/boogie will be the DIG Family DJs Lubi Jovanovic and Gip Dammone. Leeds legends, these two have been DJing and promoting gigs and clubnights together since the mid-1980s. The term “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” doesn’t even come close to describing what they’ve done for the city’s funk/soul/jazz/global beats team. It’s always a great party when they’re on the decks together.

Doors 7.30pm. The 7:45s 8pm. The Haggis Horns 9pm. Curfew 11pm.