Ups

The Flying Hats — 2026

“The Flying Hats bring vintage Jamaican reggae and New Orleans funk together for a warm, swinging instrumental record that never loses its momentum.”

The Flying Hats are back with Ups, their second full-length for ATA Records, and I think what really makes this instrumental record stand out is its upbeat personality. There’s a swagger and swing to nearly every track, with Bob Birch’s Hammond organ leading the charge while the rhythm section keeps everything moving. Drummer Sam Hobbs and bassist Neil Innes have spent two decades playing together, and you can hear that chemistry in the way these songs lock into a groove without ever feeling rigid. The band’s blend of vintage Jamaican reggae and New Orleans funk reaches straight back to 1969, channeling the spirit of Jackie Mittoo and The Upsetters alongside the rhythmic punch of The Meters. What I especially like is how these completely original compositions sound like forgotten classics pulled from a dusty crate at a garage sale. Instrumental albums sometimes struggle to hold my attention, but Ups never has that problem. Its warm analog sound, playful arrangements, and infectious Hammond grooves make this one seriously entertaining listen.