The Olympians

Toby Pazner leads The Olympians through a masterfully crafted soul-funk revival. Drawing from Philadelphia International, Stax, and Hi Records traditions, this Daptone release channels late-'60s and early-'70s chamber soul with precision. Pazner—known for work with El Michels Affair and Menahan Street Band—orchestrates 13 collaborators across strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. The result: instrumental tracks that evoke blaxploitation cinema and vintage soul aesthetics. Greek mythology titles add character, while harp and harpsichord arrangements distinguish standout moments. Consistently balanced and restrained, these compositions honour the era without compromise.