Jonas Wall – Umbaji

Every now and then here at Scandinavian Soul, I like to veer off the soul-straight road and take a scenic detour into the soulful corners of jazz. It’s part of the soul palette too, right? Because waiting at the next turn with a brass section in one hand and a groove in the other, is Jonas Wall.

Swedish multi-instrumentalist Jonas Wall is a member of the Nils Landgren Funk Unit and Mezzoforte blends the sax, flute, clarinet, tuba, and drums like ingredients in a musical stew. His latest project, Umbaji, is exactly that, a rich, flavourful dish that simmers with soulful harmonies, adventurous improvisation, and beats.

But let’s be honest: instrumental albums can slip past your radar, especially when algorithm-fuelled playlists are desperate to feed you three-minute vocal-led pop. That’s where we come in, to remind you of the artistry hidden off the crowded main road.

From the opening track Oh Boy Roy, you’re greeted with a blast of funk so fierce that it could get a statue dancing. It’s got that ‘70s muscle-car energy, windows down, horns up. But Jonas doesn’t keep it in high gear, he lets the album breathe, glide, and float into dreamy territories too.

Take Kings mellow gorgeousness or SunTan — perfectly titled grooves that shimmer like heatwaves. They’re smooth, effortless, but never lazy. You don’t just hear these songs, you slip into them. They have that “pack-your-bags-we’re-heading-somewhere-warmer” vibe. Horns float like seagulls over the coast, while drums keep your hips gently swaying in the background.

Soulful Selections

If you’re looking for a standout soul-leaning moment, cue up You Got It. It’s sunshine through your speakers — bright, melodic, with horn lines that gently nudge you to smile without even realising it. This is where Jonas’s genius shines: he doesn’t try to reinvent the horn sound; he makes it feel good. And isn’t that what we’re all after?

The mellow Cypress and Falling or the groove-driven track Why? Delivers four minutes of smooth keys, guitar chords and horns without sounding difficult to absorb. These tunes are table-setters for venues seeking stylish ambience, vibe, and soul.

You might not even know what track is playing, but you’ll feel good. Present. Surrounded by coolness. And sometimes, that’s all you need from music, a soundtrack to make the moment feel richer.

Jonas Wall’s Umbaji is exemplary example of musical atmosphere. It’s not showing off, it’s showing up and setting the tone just right.