I was about to say, by heck I'm getting worried about you lol
in regards the recording, this takes me back to my college / university years as a musician and sound programmer, I'd often be asked to analyse and sound design where possible to the original spec. the secret is a sax and brass section with a touch of distortion added, bear in mind that at the same time as the brass, you're adding an electric guitar with a good amount of distortion and a touch of compression, so when that's blended as a stereo mix, it has that funk and brightness to it.
back in my college years, I was the only keyboards guy / pianist / organist, so I always had to turn up with my own hardware, even when the college had their gear, it was rather crap and not worth my time, so I used to bring a stage controller (well before nord), rack bag containing korg racks (trinity rack, wavestation SR, Triton rack, M1REX or would change it to an 01R, Roland D550) this was strapped on my back while pulling the stage controller, usually one of a few I'd choose from at the time, white cane in the right hand, stage case in the left pulling it, on and off trains, long hikes to locations and the college. thank god I don't have. to do any of that ever again. Uni was easier luckily, the had a fair stock of the tools I needed.
lew