Disco-funk goodness on ‘Turn This Love Around’ by Mondo Freaks
Mondo Freaks pick up the pace, both in terms of tempo and in the rate of releasing new funk with the sparkling “Turn This Love Around” featuring Jade MacRae. Coming hot on the heels of previous single “Won’t You Decide“ more and more listeners are starting to realise that this Melbourne 10 piece might be one of the best new funk acts anywhere, let alone from the hotbed of soul that is their hometown of Melbourne.
Jade MacRae truly shines on lead vocals on the track, which is yet another reason to get excited by their debut self-titled album, scheduled for October 17th on the band’s own Every Star Records. While Mondos are based in Melbourne, Jade spends most of her time in the US due to her high demand as a backing and session vocalist. And that made writing the song a truly international affair.
The release will be accompanied by another instalment of their Live at The Quadraphonic Club series of videos that have gradually been finding and keeping new fans who are astounded by the playing and performance of this stellar group of musicians. This particular clip is double the value as it seamlessly segues into the band’s first single from this year, the 12/8 wonder that is “Bells Are Ringing”, much like the tracks do on the album.
“Along with ‘Bells Are Ringing’, ‘Turn This Love Around’ pretty much came together in one night if you count the international date line”, recalls bassist and band co-founder Luke Hodgson. “A full instrumental arrangement recorded in Melbourne by Graeme and I then sent to Jade over in Oregon to demo her ideas in real time. A true synergy in concept and musical ideas for this one too. Some songs simply write themselves. A cosmic gift!”
Apart from MacRae, bassist Luke Hodgson and drummer Graeme Pogson (GL, The Bamboos) the other players in Mondos really shine in these videos: Susie Goble, Francisco Tavares on vocals, Aaron Mendoza on keys and vocals, James Bowers on synth, Javier Fredes on percussion and Danny Dharumasena along with Gillan Gregory on guitar. The band have their sound down so tight that they were requested to back boogie and disco legends Leroy Burgess (Black Ivory, Logg, Aleem, Inner Life, and Universal Robot Band) and the iconic Evelyn “Champagne” King on their Australian tours.
As with all previous singles, the track was mixed by Grammy winner Michael Brauer, who made his name mixing countless rnb classics from the likes of Change, BB&Q Band, Was (Not Was), Gwen Guthrie, Grace Jones, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Pleasure, Cheryl Lynn, Cerrone, Jones Girls, Kid Creole, Teddy Pendegrass, Morris Day and many more.
“Turn This Love Around” out Digitally on August 22nd 2025 via Every Star Records
