The Leonard Jones Potential

Formed around 2006 in Conon Bridge in the North West Highlands of Scotland, The Leonard Jones Potential pretty much blew audiences away the very first time they hit the live circuit supporting the Cuban Brothers to a packed Inverness Ironworks. Gradually, as new band members were added and the numbers grew, so did their reputation as a red hot, tight and exciting funk, soul and pop outfit. Led by the young and charismatic front person and singer Michelle Newell the band charmed and played their way into a number of high profile engagements and collaborations. Highlights so far include a live BBC6 session on the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show, several national radio interviews and record plays and support slots to the man himself both in Scotland and England. The band were also invited to play by Carl Cox for his private birthday party in Brighton after he saw the band play at a private engagement in the Highlands. On the night of the party, the band played on a bill that included The Brand New Heavies, and DJs Gilles Peterson and Danny Rampling and of course Carl himself. Building on the original influence for the band - Corduroy, original members took influence from original funk and soul legend such as The Meters, James Brown and the Motown sound through to modern funk heavyweights such as Speedometer, The Bamboos and The Federation of the Disco Pimp. The LJP’s sound is an authentic, fresh journey into modern funk, soul and power pop that seems to strike a harmonious chord with audiences across the country. The band play all their own material combining both instrumental and vocal led numbers, built around a powerful and tight rhythm section which now includes a recently added percussion dimension. The brew is further added to with a warm Hammond and Rhodes sound and then laced with sharp biting brass. The line up currently sits at a hefty nine piece meaning that live audiences get a show and a half. The LJP have a CV which reads playing at various festivals throughout the nation including the main stage at Belladrum, Rockness, Wickerman, Shetland Blues Festival (to name a few) and headlining at Jocktoberfest; Hoochie Coochie (Newcastle) and frequent guests at the Edinburgh Jazz Bar. This band is a team and it plays like one. A Highland based 6 piece band with a funky soul hip hop type thang goin on that'll get your head noddin, your feet shuffling and your soul a groovin'