70s funk Tag

Try It animated

Try It: New 70s Library Funk by Cinema Groove Collective

Cinema Groove Collective – Try It

Try It single cover art by Cinema Groove Collective

Out now on Overlook Hotel Records

Cinema Groove Collective has officially released their latest single, Try It. This track is a dedicated homage to the golden era of 1970s library funk, channeling the spirit of grainy film aesthetics, high-speed car chases, and the gritty atmosphere of vintage cop show soundtracks. If you appreciate authentic groove music with a cinematic edge, Try It was made for you.

The Groove and The Low End

The standout feature of this release is undoubtedly the bass work. The track spotlights the remarkable playing of Dutch musician Ralph van der Heijden. His performance is a masterclass in “in-the-pocket” playing, deep, melodic, and driving. From the very first bar, his bass line locks in with the drums to provide a solid, unwavering foundation that allows the rest of the instrumentation to breathe and shine. It is this rhythm section interplay that gives the track its undeniable forward momentum.

What is “Library Funk”?

For those unfamiliar with the term, “Library Music” refers to production music created for film, television, and radio licensing in the 1960s and 70s. Labels like KPM, De Wolfe, and Bruton Music hired top-tier session musicians to record thousands of tracks that ranged from orchestral sweeps to hard-hitting funk.

These records, originally meant for industry use only, became holy grails for hip-hop producers and vinyl collectors decades later. Try It captures the specific “needle-drop” energy of that era, music that feels like it was lifted straight from a dusty reel found in a London archive.

The Analog Production Process

Produced and arranged at Overlook Hotel Records, the recording process for Try It focused heavily on texture and authenticity. To achieve that specific 1975 sound, the production leans into warm, analogue-leaning saturation.

The mix is characterized by tight, dry drums, brassy accents that punch through the mix, and a slight “tape saturation” that adds to the vintage character. By avoiding the pristine, digital sheen of modern pop production, the Cinema Groove Collective ensures that the listener is transported back in time the moment the play button is pressed.

Full Credits

  • Bass & Instrumentation: Ralph van der Heijden
  • Keyboards & Percussion: Kevin Hartnell
  • Production, Arrangement, Mixing, & Mastering: Kevin Hartnell at Overlook Hotel Records
  • Project: Cinema Groove Collective
  • Release Date: October 1, 2025
  • Catalog Number: R237-119

You can stream Try It now on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Add it to your playlist today and keep the funk alive.

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Alien Exchange Student animation

Alien Exchange Student: Original Soundtrack by Kevin Hartnell

Kevin Hartnell - Alien Exchange Student cover art animated

Back in 2020, the popular kids’ podcast Kidpod Theater released a fun, genre-bending series titled Alien Exchange Student. I had the absolute pleasure of composing the original score for the show, and I am thrilled to announce that the full soundtrack is now available for streaming and download.

A Multi-Genre Challenge

Scoring Alien Exchange Student was a wonderful creative challenge because it required such a diverse palette of sounds. Unlike my usual work in darkwave or horror, this project needed to be lighthearted yet musically sophisticated. The brief called for a wide array of styles, pushing me to explore genres I do not typically touch.

The soundtrack features everything from retro 1960s spy themes (think James Bond meets The Pink Panther) to upbeat synthwave tracks. There are also 80s pop-style pastiches, dark ambient themes for “industrial espionage” scenes, and late 70s funk detective cues. The goal was to create a cohesive sonic world that was exciting for kids but musically rich enough for the parents listening along.

Composer’s Note

Writing for a younger audience is a unique discipline. The melodies need to be immediate and memorable, and the emotional beats need to be clear without being overly complex. It was great fun to stretch these musical muscles and pay homage to so many classic film and TV tropes within a single project.

Listen Now

Whether you are a fan of the podcast or just enjoy eclectic instrumental music, there is something in this collection for you. You can stream the full album on Bandcamp via the player below. For more of my soundtrack work, visit the Kevin Hartnell Artist Page.

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