When the 12 young musicians who make up Jan’s Collective took to the recording studio to record their latest number, they were joined by an enormous number of supporting musicians. The Collective, formed at Oxford University, has gained traction online for its jazz- and funk-infused covers. When they began to play, they created a soundscape so unique that it was hard to figure out what their latest cover was until their vocalist, Josh Babu, started singing ‘Human Nature’ by Michael Jackson.
Josh’s agile and expressive voice fits perfectly with the intricately detailed composition played by the Collective. Music Man readers will be blown away when they hear Josh’s incredible talent, giving the cover its own identity and distinguishing it from Michael’s distinctive voice. It’s incredible to see the tiny details added by the musicians grow until the Collective all join together to create a mind-blowingly full sound, with one online viewer commenting, “My ears have been unbelievably blessed.”
Many listeners left comments calling the arrangement “the most beautiful arrangement” they’d ever heard, and I might have to agree. It’s astonishing to see how much thought was put into every moment of the arrangement. I feel that it’s especially effective when applied to a song that’s so well known. Instead of playing what we expect to hear, Jan’s Collective gives us something entirely different, ensuring the cover takes us on a surprising and joyful journey as we hear the song in a new way.
Music Man fans who want to see more of Jan’s Collective should definitely go and check out their cover of Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s ‘Uptown Funk’. Already infused with funk, the song seems like a perfect choice for the band, but of course, they had to put their own twist on it too. They played the cover with full gusto, their big brass sound true to the song’s original, until halfway through when they decided to switch things up with an impressive jazz jam session.
Many people love to perform covers of their favourite songs, but the covers that Jan’s Collective creates are entirely unique. Their signature jazz and funk sound provides a twist on the originals, and the thought they put into their arrangements truly raises them to the next level. No matter what they do, their covers are infused with imagination, creativity, and talent. With listeners calling them some of the best covers they’ve ever heard, there will be many who are waiting eagerly to see which song Jan’s Collective is going to cover next.