Australia’s kings of Hammond soul Cookin’ On 3 Burners are back with Cookin’ The Books, their first studio album in 6 years, with the trio seamlessly shifting between gritty instrumentals and lush vocal cuts across 14 tracks that reflect the group’s deep funk DNA while carving out bold new territory.

Hot off the griddle, Cookin’ The Books is the long-awaited new album from Australia’s kings of Hammond soul, Cookin’ On 3 Burners. Their first studio album in six years finds the trio in top form – deep in the pocket, wide in scope, and stacked with heavyweight collaborators.

Captured live to tape at Soul Messin’ Studios using vintage instruments and analogue gear, the album is rich in texture and vibe – full of grit, groove, and the warmth of true performance. Modern production techniques were layered in tastefully, creating a timeless but forward-facing sound. “This album is a culmination of six years of jamming, sharing ideas, and collaborating with some of Australia’s finest musicians”, says Jake Mason. “We wanted to honor our roots, but also push into new spaces. It’s raw, soulful, and built from the ground up”.

The title track sets the tone with a raw Hammond groove and break-beat swagger. Dirty organ stabs, crisp drums, and greasy guitar licks keep things lean and heavy. It’s a crate-ready instrumental in the lineage of deep funk classics – straight from Melbourne, cooked slow, and built to burn dancefloors.

The first of four tracks on the album to feature singer Stella Angelico, “I’m Comin’ Home To You” is a joyous soul stomper bursting with sunshine and swagger. With its sweet summertime energy, Hammond organ fire, driving rhythm section, and Stella delivering a powerhouse vocal about love, return, and celebration. this track radiates warmth – an irresistible anthem about finding home on the dancefloor and in the heart.

“Only Words” is a cinematic slow-burn of soul restraint. Natalie Slade’s haunting vocal navigates empty promises and fleeting romance, soaring over lush strings arranged by Tamil Rogeon (Aloe Blacc / The Dandy Warhols). Downtempo funk rhythms and deep Hammond textures create space for tenderness and heartache. The song lingers long after the fade, bittersweet and unforgettable.

Another instrumental comes in the form of “No Bread For You”, a heavy funk workout, deep in the pocket and dripping with attitude. Driven by tough Hammond melodies, tight drums, and gritty guitar, this tune struts with down-home prowess. It’s a street-level groove that balances playfulness with sharp bite, proof the Burners can flip everyday struggles into timeless funk fire.

Wilson Blackley’s buttery, emotive vocal carries slow-burn soul ballad “Away From My Heart”. Lyrically exploring heartbreak and distance, the song swells with raw intensity against a sparse, moody backdrop. Hammond organ tones bleed through like candlelight in the dark, lifting Blackley’s voice skyward—a sweet yet devastating meditation on love’s hardest goodbyes.

Stella Angelico returns on “Brighter”, an uplifting soul anthem built for resilience and joy. Her commanding vocal soars over funky drums and radiant guitar, offering light in dark times. With lyrics urging strength, breath, and renewal, this song shines as a feel-good groove that uplifts while it moves the body and the spirit

The Burners reinvent Mos Def’s hip hop classic “Ms. Fat Booty” as an instrumental funk stormer—while paying homage to its roots in Aretha Franklin’s “One Step Ahead”. Hammond riffs replace verses, guitar snaps where rhymes once lived, and the rhythm section drives with raw energy. A cheeky, floor-ready flip that brings the track full circle through the Burners’ deep-funk lens..

Soulful, midtempo, and steeped in generosity, “Give A Little Bit More” balances groove with heartfelt message. Stella Angelico’s commanding vocal channels both vulnerability and strength, urging openness and empathy. Hammond, horns, and rhythm lock in tight, creating a classic soul feel with modern grit. A track about turning things around when it matters most..

Rising from the ashes on a bed of Hammond organ, “Phoenix” is a moody, introspective instrumental that simmers then soars. The trio build tension with slow-burning chords and restrained groove before letting loose into a cathartic release. A powerful meditation on resilience, rebirth, and the healing fire of funk.

“The World Is Cold” is a powerful hip hop/soul statement for turbulent times. Mantra’s razor-sharp verses confront systemic injustice while Jane Tyrrell’s soulful refrain haunts with urgency: “the world is cold, so we set it on fire”. Backed by a gritty funk bed, it’s a call-to-arms that burns bright with conviction.

While “New Yorker” is what you would expect from the title: a hard-grooving instrumental that struts straight out of a downtown block party. Gritty Hammond stabs and razor-sharp guitar riffs lock into a tough pocket, raw and unapologetically urban. Inspired by the heavy feels of The Meters’, the title is also a nod to the band’s go-to deli sandwich – ‘The New Yorker’.

Stella Angelico brings raw vulnerability to “So Much To Lose”, a soulful ballad of love, fear, and high stakes. Her vocal aches with both devotion and frustration, carried by sweeping Hammond chords and deep rhythm. Fragile yet fierce, the track captures the risks of giving your heart when there’s everything to lose.

The Burners take Bon Jovi’s arena classic “Living On A Prayer” and flip it dirty funk style. Driven by Hammond organ growl, relentless drums, and cheeky humour, it transforms into a hard-grooving jam full of grit and wink. Equal parts homage and double-dare, it’s a joyous re-imagining that only the Burners could pull off..

Closing the record with a wink, “Outroduction” sees Northside Records’ Chris Gill deliver a playful spoken-word toast over a homeward bound Burners groove. A fitting outro that leaves the listener smiling, ready to flip the record once again..

An international tour is scheduled for 2026, with dates planned across Australia, Europe, and the UK. The band’s signature live energy – driven by organ, drums, and guitar – has earned them a reputation for one of the tightest and most electrifying soul shows around.