(January 8, 2026) Philadelphia is known as “The City of Brotherly Love,” so if you heard of a band showcasing “Brotherly Funk,” you may figure that the band is from Philly. That’s the case for Somebody Tell Joe. Somebody Tell Joe isn’t a command, but the name of a band formed by seasoned Philly musicians – Louis Taylor (saxophone), Mike Kwas (keyboards/producer), Phil Lightfoot (drums) and Stacey McGee (bass). The members have worked with a long list of greats including George Duke, Deniece Williams, and Kool & the Gang.
Somebody Tell Joe’s Stacey McGee describes their sound “as a variety store of jazz, all centered around funk… Brotherly Funk!” As a matter of fact, Brotherly Funk is the title of their second EP, released in spring 2025. One of the songs included is “This is a Feeling” featuring fellow Philly native, Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge (“We Are Family”, “He’s the Greatest Dancer”)
“This is a Feeling” combines Brotherly Funk with Sisterly Spunk as Kathysings from the perspective of a woman encouraging her man to open his heart fully to her despite his past heartbreak. She assures him that things will be better with her because:
“There’s a love you are feeling with me,
Can be healing as long as you’re willing to try
So just open your heart all the way
Walk away from the pain you hold onto inside”
“This is a Feeling” struck a chord with Expansion Records – the UK’s #1 soul label – because the song is included on the label’s Luxury Soul 2026 triple CD set, which features selected soul/jazz/funk songs from 2025.
Check out the song below and tell Joe that you did!
By Darnea M. Samuels
