Phil Martin: It's all about the rhythm

Judging by all the good music that comes out of Dordrecht, you can't help but conclude that there must be a vibrant soul and funk scene in this Dutch city where five rivers meet (they get wet feet every now and then as you can imagine). If you delve into it a little more, you will find out that two men in particular are the driving force behind the well-known names such as Laura Vane & The Vipertones, Soul Snatchers and Phil Martin's Mystical Funk. We are talking about childhood friends Ton van der Kolk and Tim van der Holst (aka Phil Martin). Ton plays bass and owns booking agency Music & More. Tim plays drums and is a studio producer. Not only with their bands they have put Dordrecht on the soul & jazz map. They also brought soul and funk heroes to their city for legendary concerts like Sharon Jones & The Dapkings, Budos Band, Lee Fields and for collaborations with Dr Lonnie Smith and the Brazilian jazz funk outfit Azymuth. Phil Martin's album Mystical Funk II has just been released, 25 years after part 1. It is a fascinating album full of musical influences from acid jazz to Latin to afrobeat. We had the opportunity to ask Tim a couple of questions.

TNF: I hear influences from Azymuth in Mystical Funk II, what was it like to play with the band members Brazilian band together with the Jazz Invaders?

Tim: It was an honor to become friends with these men and make music. I had been a fan of their music for a long time and when I got the chance to meet them it quickly became clear that they are always up for collaboration. It started with a tour and during that period we went into the studio for two days to record the album. Since then, we have remained good friends. Unfortunately, Ivan the drummer has passed away. But I am still in contact with Alex. He has played some bass for me from time to time. What a legend.

TNF: What other sources of inspiration did you tap into for this album?

Tim: I really listen to everything. African music, krautrock, funk, soul, disco, latin. I think everything can be heard. This record is mainly about rhythm. I am a drummer and percussionist in the first place. I wanted to focus on that.

TNF: You are socially engaged, do you also incorporate your view of the world into your music or do you try to separate it by looking more in the spiritual/mystical direction, away from everyday reality?

Oh yes, my music has only one message and that is happiness. I just want to make people dance and celebrate life. I try to express my fight against injustice for humans and animals in different ways. But even with that, I want to tell the positive story. For example, by cooking vegan. To show that vegan food is tasty and that we don't have to kill animals. I don't want to be an angry activist.

TNF: What highlights came along in your musical life between Mystical Funk in 2001 and this follow-up 25 years later?

Oh so much. 2001 was the start of my musical adventure. The Jazzinvaders, the Soul Snatchers, Laura Vane and the Vipertones. The beautiful collaborations with Diesler, Dr Lonnie Smith, Azymuth, AIFF, The Houdini's, Joel Sarakula, Shawn Lee, Dawn Patrol, the many remixes. Collaboration with many labels. And incredibly fun tours to Germany, Spain and Japan.

TNF: How lively is the Dordrecht funk, jazz & soul scene these days?

Well, that has never been such a scene except for what we have all done. My best mate in all these adventures is bassist Ton van der Kolk. We have organized many parties and concerts. Every now and then we still organize something. Soon we will have Parlor Greens in the Dolhuis.

TNF: Do you have any tips on new young promising funk & soul acts?

I am a fan of the new bands that combine afro with cumbia and many other styles. Bands such as Piri Piri, Collignon, Para.Dice and Cavolo Nero. Not so much real funk and soul. But groove music. Real classic p-funk comes from my buddy Yo! No-D 4 P. He has released his first EP.

Phil Martin's vinyl album Mystical Funk II is available through Social Beats, Tim's own record label. Other vinyl albums released by Ton van der Kolk and Tim are also available through funksoulrecords.nl:

In The New Funky playlists you will find tracks from Mystical Funk II and other productions of the duo. Saturday 2 May Parlor Greens (with guitarist Jimmie James, Hammond organist Adam Scone and drummer Tim Carman) will perform at Dolhuistuin in Dordrecht..