Virtuosity and flashiness are generally frowned upon in pop culture, and left for jazz and classical fanatics to immerse themselves in. Bassist supreme and funk-master general Stephen Lee Bruner aka Thundercat seems to be something of an exception. He embraces R&B, yacht rock and psychedelia to create a slinky, soulful world where flamboyance and flair both blossom, specifically at the bottom end. A proud afro-futurist, he shows up at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall (Wednesday 1 April) giving us a glimpse of what a modern-day P-Funk legend, such as Bootsy Collins or the recently departed Billy ‘Bass’ Nelson, might sound like had they grown up with hip hop and hung out with Flying Lotus. Two words come to mind: effortless and maverick.

Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, that’s for sure. As generations flip through the history books and lap up those long-gone stories of debauchery and excess, rock’n’roll’s halcyon era slowly fades from view. But for the young team, and oldies who can still get off the couch, the heritage bandwagon rumbles into town once again. Happy Mondays show up in Glasgow for three nights, gracing the hallowed Barrowland stage (Thursday 16–Saturday 18 April) for more barely controlled chaos and a ‘trip’ down memory lane. They’re here to celebrate their commercial crossover and baggy masterpiece Pills ’N’ Thrills And Bellyaches, where Manchester’s wide-eyed, drug-addled counterculture met polished pop production on a truly classic album. Expect your melons to be twisted thoroughly.

Another artist playing Scotland’s main music city thrice this month is Dalkeith soul sister Brooke Combe. Her tour of Glasgow sees stops at King Tut’s (Monday 6 April) and then St Luke’s (Thursday 23 & Friday 24 April), as she brandishes an undeniable talent and stage presence. Inhaling those sweet, retro, northern soul fumes, with the help of Liverpool legend James Skelly of The Coral at the controls, she breathes out heart-on-sleeve, hip-swinging anthems for a generation who want something a little more in-depth than mass-produced pop. Her recent album Dancing At The Edge Of The World was something of a breakthrough, and her star is in ascendance. Get down and cut some rug.

Listen to Vic Galloway every Monday night on BBC Radio Scotland or anytime on BBC Sounds; picture: Logan Gray.

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