New York City’s genre-defying musical maestro Tomás Doncker unleashes the full album version of his acclaimed EP Hard Is Hard through his label True Groove Records, available on digital streaming platforms and as a limited-edition double vinyl. This expanded release, enriched with six additional tracks from the previously vinyl-exclusive “A Softer Side,” transforms the original five-track EP into an eleven-track masterclass of soul, blues, funk, rock, and jazz, showcasing Doncker’s unparalleled ability to weave genres into a cohesive, cinematic narrative. As a veteran of the New York music scene since the 1980s, Doncker has collaborated with legends like Bootsy Collins, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ivan Neville, The Specials, and Patti Smith, earning praise from outlets like BBC, CNN, Huff Post, MOJO, Spin, Brooklyn Vegan, NPR’s All Songs Considered, Guitar World, Wonderland Magazine, All About Jazz, Paste, Rolling Stone, and a recent cover feature in Blues Matters Magazine. Kicking off September 4, 2025, Doncker and his True Groove All-Stars, including members of The Specials Horns, join Fun Lovin’ Criminals on an extensive UK and Europe tour, bringing their electrifying “Cinematic Soul” to global audiences. This release and tour mark a pivotal moment for Doncker, whose socially conscious artistry and infectious grooves invite listeners to find light in turbulent times.
Hard Is Hard, produced with James Dellatacoma (known for work with Bill Laswell and Herbie Hancock) and mastered by Michael Fossenkemper (Paul Weller, LL Cool J, Miles Davis), is a testament to Doncker’s genre-fluid vision. Featuring guest instrumentation from Frank Benbini and Adriano Rossetti-Bonell of UB40 and Fun Lovin’ Criminals, alongside The Specials Horns, the album blends soulful vocals, funky beats, and jazz-inflected rock into a vibrant sonic tapestry. The original EP, released July 4, 2025, included a soulful reworking of Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” (dropped June 13, 2025), which The Telegraph praised for “fusing funky beats with soulful vocals” while ruminating on political shifts. The A-side delivers “straight-up bangers,” as Doncker describes, with hard-hitting tracks that tackle racial inequality, social injustice, and resilience in the face of adversity. The newly added “A Softer Side,” now available on DSPs, channels the intimate, seductive vibe of 1970s Isley Brothers B-sides, offering “baby-making music” with unexpected twists that deepen the album’s emotional range. Doncker reflects, “Things are difficult for everyone right now. As a songwriter, I’m fortunate to have songs to sing, to strike a match in the darkness. This music is blessed by dear friends—true legends—and we’re grateful to share it.”
Doncker’s love for concept albums shines through in Hard Is Hard, which he calls “Cinematic Soul” for its storytelling through groove and atmosphere. “I’m a sucker for a concept album,” he says, noting how the A-side’s intensity contrasts with the B-side’s soulful introspection, crafted to seduce and surprise listeners. Inspired by his collaborations with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa, particularly their 2022 multimedia project ENDANGERED with visual artist Floyd Tunson, Doncker’s work carries a socio-political edge. ENDANGERED, described as a “21st-century psychedelic soul” journey, addressed the systemic challenges faced by Black men in America, earning acclaim as a “socio-politically charged audio-visual soundtrack of dissent, discomfort, and reclamation.” This thematic depth permeates Hard Is Hard, with lyrics urging listeners to maintain a positive mental attitude amid global uncertainty, making it a timely anthem for fans seeking both groove and substance.
Since the 1980s, Doncker has been a cornerstone of New York’s music scene, from his early days with No Wave and Punk Funk bands The Contortions and Defunkt to international tours and recordings with luminaries like P-Funk’s Michael “Kidd Funkadelic” Hampton, Amp Fiddler, Keith Shocklee of Public Enemy’s Bomb Squad, and Bootsy Collins. As CEO of True Groove Records, his creative hub for over a decade, Doncker has produced projects that defy genre boundaries, including critically acclaimed albums with Komunyakaa like Big Apple Blues, The Mercy Suite, and The Black Magnolia Project. His ability to blend soul, blues, funk, and jazz has earned him descriptors like “a true force in Global Soul” (Vinyl Me Please) and a master of “intricate, multi-layered arrangements” (Wonderland Magazine). Essentially Pop lauds his performances as “wild, plunging into the night sky and shattering the darkness,” a fitting prelude to his upcoming tour.
The UK and Europe tour with Fun Lovin’ Criminals, beginning September 4, 2025, is a dream opportunity for Doncker, who expresses gratitude for the warm welcome from the international music community. “I’m so honored and excited to be part of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ fall UK/EU tour,” he says. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun for sure!” Supporting the New York rap-rock trio, known for hits like “Scooby Snacks” and their new album A Matter of Time (released August 29, 2025), Doncker and The True Groove All-Stars will perform at iconic venues like Sub 89 in Reading (September 4), The Garage in London (September 6), Concorde 2 in Brighton (September 7), Thekla in Bristol (September 19), La Madeleine in Brussels (October 2), Hole44 in Berlin (October 6), and Lucerna Music Bar in Prague (October 30), among others. Earlier 2025 performances at Leicester’s Cosmopolitan Arts Festival (July 12), Barefoot Festival (July 25), High Tide Festival in Twickenham (July 27), Le Pub in Newport (August 1), and Peggy’s Skylight in Nottingham (August 6) set the stage for this extensive run, showcasing Doncker’s dynamic live energy alongside bandmates like Jonathan Read, Stanley Samuel, Eddie Dublin, Su Robinson, and Tim Smart from The Specials Family.
Fun Lovin’ Criminals, formed in 1993 by Huey Morgan, Brian “Fast” Leiser, and Steve Borgovini, bring their own genre-blending swagger, mixing hip-hop, funk, blues, and rock, as described by Rolling Stone as a “melting pot of local flavors.” Their new album, produced by Leiser and Frank Benbini with guitarist Naim Cortazzi, reflects a personal, introspective evolution, making them a perfect match for Doncker’s soulful intensity. The tour, supporting A Matter of Time, spans 34 dates across the UK and Europe, with fans on X buzzing about the “electrifying vibe” of both acts. Doncker’s setlist is expected to feature Hard Is Hard tracks like “Ace of Spades” and originals that blend socio-political commentary with infectious grooves, inviting audiences to join a “sonic journey to freedom.”
As Hard Is Hard hits DSPs and vinyl collectors snap up the limited-edition double LP, Doncker’s music offers a beacon of hope and resilience. The album’s release on September 3, 2025, aligns with the tour’s kickoff, amplifying its global reach through platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Fans can explore more at tomasdoncker.com or follow @tomasdonckerofficial on Instagram and Tomás Doncker Music on Facebook. With a legacy built on collaborations with icons and a commitment to pushing artistic boundaries, Doncker’s Hard Is Hard and his tour with Fun Lovin’ Criminals promise to ignite stages and souls alike, inviting listeners worldwide to join the ride and find light in the groove.
The Pop Blog general news and updates, mostly from press releases and conferences.