It doesnt sound anything like it.
“..claiming that the mega-hit “Uptown Funk” ripped off their jam from 1983. “
Maybe because his style is a homage to funk music from the late 70s and early 80s, and it’s more than likely that something sound similar to it.
“Uptown Funk” is all generic riffs and beats with some new lyrics. Mars just does it eerily convincingly to the point where it’s hard to tell the difference between the old and new stuff. It was the same with the Neo-Swing bands in the late 90s.
Listing to this older song, it sounds like most similar tracks from back then. Nothing unique.
Agreed. I enjoyed those new swing groups too :)