71 db imspired this one. The 70s (even late 60s) were a golden age (of sorts) of great funk music. Got suggestions or recommendations? Share em! There's no shortage of stuff on vinyl that was never tranferred well to CD. Of course there was lots of dross, too, but you can find that in every genre of music, yes?
May The Funk be With You.
(https://i.discogs.com/pQxLtDSmyti4Cy8AvTE-NO6pJ9I0fAuRb2pXYPWMMQc/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE3Mzc0/Mi0xMzY0Mzg4OTQ3/LTE1NDYuanBlZw.jpeg)
Bohannon The Stop & Go (1973, Dakar Records)
Prototypical funk record but none of it is phoned in and the flow is varied. Good one.
No brainer funk classic. And not that Samuel Jackson remake.
(https://i.discogs.com/Wq4loaSu5zqJwIU0IsJZkrBl2n7ihPkET1IqCBii6_w/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:593/w:599/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEwNjky/MDIzLTE1MDI0OTY5/MjktNjM4Ni5qcGVn.jpeg)
Isaac Hayes Shaft Soundtrack (1971, Enterprise/STAX)
Been busy with other music, but gonno check these at some point. Bohannon is new name to me.
The 2 Herbie Hancock Headhunter albums
Also HH's later 70s stuff w Wah Wah Watson
I think the greatest funk record of the '70s ... and beyond:
There's a Riot Goin' On (1971) - Sly & the Family Stone
Curtis Mayfield blows Shaft out of the water. Beyond Hayes' innovative muted-string-wah-wah, I never found the rest of the song all that great. Well honestly, Hayes's music in general never quite grabs me. (Marvin Gaye too. But I'm clearly in the minority here.)
But the Super Fly soundtrack is it, for the synergy between Mayfield and the extremely underrated Johnny Pate (who is still with us and turns 100 in a few weeks). Mayfield's Roots and Curtis as well. Johnny Pate's 1970 Outrageous is one of my favourite fairly obscure albums, all soul instrumentals with a large band.
Others: well, P-Funk, of course. Can't go too wrong with their 70s output. Not just Parliament and Funkadelic but the solo/side projects as well. Bootsy Collins' especially.
War, though they are a band who are probably best served by their hits.
An absolute must is Baby Huey and the Babbysitters. One album, and the singer died before it was released, but it is amazing.
More soul than funk: Doris Duke's I'm a Loser. I love this album so much that (and I know this sounds weird) I try not to listen it too often. That is, I never want it to become overly familiar, so I save it for special occasions when I'm alone and have a strong drink in hand.
That album was produced by Swamp Dogg whose first few albums under his own (stage) name are also well worth exploring. He might be an acquired taste because he's such a maverick, but I acquired it halfway through the first song I heard. Check out Total Destruction to your Mind in particular. (He cuts his first sides in, I think, 1953 and is still recording today.) He is definitely unique.
From the James Brown orbit, Lyn Collins. I love JB, but when he produced other artists, it sounded like his tracks just with a different singer. Collins for the most part is fairly free of this.
And of course, Sly Stone, everything up to Small Talk and High on You. Would recommend listening in order to hear the progression.
Maybe more blues than funk, but I wouldn't sleep on the
real "Gangster of Love", Johnny "Guitar" Watson.
Frank Zappa was a big fan, btw. You can find videos of them playing.
Quote from: BWV 1080 on October 29, 2023, 02:02:29 PMThe 2 Herbie Hancock Headhunter albums
Also HH's later 70s stuff w Wah Wah Watson
Man-Child album is in my opinion THE funk album by HH, but I enjoy a lot from MWANDISHI (experimental jazz rather than funk).
Quote from: San Antone on October 29, 2023, 03:06:06 PMI think the greatest funk record of the '70s ... and beyond:
There's a Riot Goin' On (1971) - Sly & the Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone doesn't seem to work for me. Years ago I tried it, but the feeling I get from the music is it lacks energy and drive. It is "lazy funk." It is possible I just haven't heard the right stuff. Going trough the whole discographies takes time and effort, especially if there aren't any quarantees any of it will interest me in the end.
Quote from: KevinP on October 29, 2023, 03:19:07 PMCurtis Mayfield blows Shaft out of the water. Beyond Hayes' innovative muted-string-wah-wah, I never found the rest of the song all that great. Well honestly, Hayes's music in general never quite grabs me. (Marvin Gaye too. But I'm clearly in the minority here.)
But the Super Fly soundtrack is it, for the synergy between Mayfield and the extremely underrated Johnny Pate (who is still with us and turns 100 in a few weeks). Mayfield's Roots and Curtis as well. Johnny Pate's 1970 Outrageous is one of my favourite fairly obscure albums, all soul instrumentals with a large band.
I do have the Superfly soundtrack. In fact it was the fisrt "funk" album I ever bought. I consider the music "lazy funk" too, but it is interesting moody music and works better for me than Sly and the family stone.
70s funk by way of Brazil
Quote from: 71 dB on October 30, 2023, 03:37:59 AMMan-Child album is in my opinion THE funk album by HH, but I enjoy a lot from MWANDISHI (experimental jazz rather than funk).
Never could get into Mwandishi, but this 1969 disk
and the late 70s disco-inspired
are great
DOMi and JD Beck got Herbie to dust off his vocoder for his guest appearance on their 2022 debut recording
Quote from: KevinP on October 29, 2023, 03:19:07 PMCurtis Mayfield blows Shaft out of the water. Beyond Hayes' innovative muted-string-wah-wah, I never found the rest of the song all that great. Well honestly, Hayes's music in general never quite grabs me. (Marvin Gaye too. But I'm clearly in the minority here.)
Minority or no, Isaac Hayes
Shaft Soundtrack is one of the tightest, funkiest, most well rounded double albums that ever dropped. Nothing against Curtis Mayfield's
Superfly (don't even know why we need to compare them). Hayes' title track is, more or less, a funk novelty tune, more fun than seriously funky. But the rest of the album is simply stellar r&b and funk. I love Mayfield but along with
The Isaac Hayes Movement this was Hayes' crown achievement.
Most albums by The Meters have two or three undeniable funk classics. Trouble is, they're cut to "radio time" lengths. One of the hallmarks of Isaac Hayes' jams were his long running funk tracks. The Meters seldom had such long running times on their releases. Here's a grab bag of some of their best stuff -
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81DoscZ0sSL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)
At the opposite end of the running track spectrum was Nigerian born Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti and his Africa '70 band. They let loose a run of great Afro funk albums in the early 70s. It's hard to pick one so I'll go with
Expensive Shit. But rhythm section in all their outings is skin tight, laced of course, with potent liberation/political messages. Their live albums are even better than the studio stuff.
The lp with the then popular Ginger Baker (which some label as a PR grab) is one of the ones I return to again and again.
Ghananian Ebo Taylor was another 70s Afro-funk pioneer
also the great, recently deceased Tony Allen and Africa 70 sans Fela
Quote from: BWV 1080 on October 31, 2023, 07:17:59 AMalso the great, recently deceased Tony Allen and Africa 70 sans Fela
Big (https://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0034.gif)
I'm not going to fight over who's better funk artists and who's worse. I don't care if others like different stuff I like. I started the "Exploring pre-CD era pop" thread in order to express my fustrations when collecting older pop music on CD, which often varies from impossible to expensive. Then this thread was created. 70's funk, mostly overlooked music genre, deserves a thread, no doubt about that, but if this is about whose better, Isaac Hayes or Curtis Mayfield, I won't participate much to that!
A recent album with Bernie Worrell revisiting some Parliment / Funkadelic classics
Quote from: 71 dB on October 31, 2023, 10:07:13 AMI'm not going to fight over who's better funk artists and who's worse. I don't care if others like different stuff I like. I started the "Exploring pre-CD era pop" thread in order to express my fustrations when collecting older pop music on CD, which often varies from impossible to expensive. Then this thread was created. 70's funk, mostly overlooked music genre, deserves a thread, no doubt about that, but if this is about whose better, Isaac Hayes or Curtis Mayfield, I won't participate much to that!
No issue here. But, with all due respect, 70s funk
overlooked? By whom? Rolling Stone? :laugh:
You're talkin' to the wrong people. ;)
Quote from: ando on October 31, 2023, 10:42:22 AMNo issue here. But, with all due respect, 70s funk overlooked? By whom? Rolling Stone? :laugh:
You're talkin' to the wrong people. ;)
I speak from Finnish perspective. Over here most people barely even know what funk music is let alone care about it at all. I suppose even in the US funk never was one of the most popular genres of music, even if it was far more appreciated than in Finland (whole Europe I guess?)
Quote from: 71 dB on October 31, 2023, 11:02:03 AMI speak from Finnish perspective. Over here most people barely even know what funk music is let alone care about it at all. I suppose even in the US funk never was one of the most popular genres of music, even if it was far more appreciated than in Finland (whole Europe I guess?)
Solid.
Forgot how tight this Ohio Players record was. Nice to hear again.
(https://i.discogs.com/SKCJVjPo6_Dx6bn0E-CBYdMEPhJlXnfGiTIsZp9qJE8/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTIxMDM0/MTM1LTE2MzcyNzU4/ODctNTI5NC5qcGVn.jpeg)
Ohio Players PAIN (1972, Westbound Records)
Quote from: 71 dB on October 31, 2023, 11:02:03 AMI speak from Finnish perspective. Over here most people barely even know what funk music is let alone care about it at all. I suppose even in the US funk never was one of the most popular genres of music, even if it was far more appreciated than in Finland (whole Europe I guess?)
The 70s got funky just over your Western border ;)
Quote from: ando on October 31, 2023, 11:06:58 AMOhio Players PAIN (1972, Westbound Records)
This video is no longer available because the Youtube account associate with this video has been terminated.Too funky for Youtube?
Quote from: 71 dB on November 01, 2023, 06:39:29 AMThis video is no longer available because the Youtube account associate with this video has been terminated.
Too funky for Youtube?
;D You can't fight the funk!
Back on Betty (no pun intended) -
B
etty Davis They Say I'm Different (1974, Sunshine Records)
Dropping in on Stevie and his Wonderlove band, circa '74 -
Stevie Wonder on the Beat Workshop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZmJ3Q7SfHE) (1974, Musikladen #10)
One of the funkiest live sets from that era.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MGm7M89Q/boomboom.jpg)
Different show from the same year, but can you imagine Stevie AND Rufus?!!
Bill Withers Use Me (Live)
Quote from: ando on November 01, 2023, 07:29:10 AM;D You can't fight the funk!
Thanks! Based on the first 10 minutes the album cover art is edgier than the music...
Quote from: BWV 1080 on October 31, 2023, 11:10:02 AMThe 70s got funky just over your Western border ;)
The clothing is "funky" for sure, but that's about it. 2 minutes and 7 seconds wasted! ???
Quote from: ando on November 01, 2023, 07:52:34 PMDropping in on Stevie and his Wonderlove band, circa '74 -
Stevie Wonder on the Beat Workshop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZmJ3Q7SfHE) (1974, Musikladen #10)
One of the funkiest live sets from that era.
Until pretty recently Stevie Wonders 80's hit song "I Just Called To Say I Love You" was the only thing I knew by him, a song so vomit inducing and force fed I had negative interest of his music. You can imagine my surprise when I heard his music from the 70's! I was so "What the funk!?" :o
Quote from: 71 dB on November 01, 2023, 11:15:43 PMThanks! Based on the first 10 minutes the album cover art is edgier than the music...
Never regarded
edge as a hallmark of funk. Different strokes!
Quote from: 71 dB on November 01, 2023, 11:31:41 PMUntil pretty recently Stevie Wonders 80's hit song "I Just Called To Say I Love You" was the only thing I knew by him, a song so vomit inducing and force fed I had negative interest of his music. You can imagine my surprise when I heard his music from the 70's! I was so "What the funk!?" :o
Yeah, you need to back to the funk shed, dude. ;D Stevie's got quite an opus.
As for
I Just Called, Diane Schurr's live version is still a stunner.
Thanks for the reminder. Made my morning. ;)
Quote from: 71 dB on November 01, 2023, 11:31:41 PMUntil pretty recently Stevie Wonders 80's hit song "I Just Called To Say I Love You" was the only thing I knew by him, a song so vomit inducing and force fed I had negative interest of his music. You can imagine my surprise when I heard his music from the 70's! I was so "What the funk!?" :o
I can't call it funk, but try his
Innervisions album. I'm not really a big SW fan, but this one is a masterpiece.
How bout a
Short Trip To Space?
Tropia (1977, Marlin)
Quote from: T. D. on November 02, 2023, 05:43:37 PMI can't call it funk, but try his Innervisions album. I'm not really a big SW fan, but this one is a masterpiece.
I'm a big SW fan as in Star Wars :D , but if and when I'll explore Stevie Wonder is hardly controlled by other people online. Chances are the album I personally find to be the best by SW is the one everyone else hates for whatever reason...
My taste is "weird" in the sense that most people very rarely share it. In Spotify you can see how many times songs have been listened to. Quite often I notice the "good" tracks on an album in my opinion are the leasts listened ones while some very much listened tracks aren't that great in my opinion. This has been the case all my life. The music most people like and listen to just aren't that interesting to me while the music that is to my liking is often not appreciated by many other. Exceptions exist as always, but this is the principle. There are only a few artists I have discovered and liked because they were recommended to me such as Pat Metheny and Andreas Vollenweider (everyone likes Book of Roses!).
(https://i.discogs.com/o6Ed7mWPf6t4ZYGKl2Q7ohhRcbXJJINJbbFnvilXIRA/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTIwMTM4/NzktMTUwNTcyOTUy/MC02NzE2LmpwZWc.jpeg)
Tumblack Tumblack (1978, Barclay)
Infamous late 70s funk duo, Nile Rodgers and (the late) Bernard Edwards produced hits as/for CHIC, Sister Sledge and Diana Ross, among others. They wrote some of the funkiest hooks sampled by Hip Hop artists to this day. Rodgers did a Tiny Desk appearance a week or so ago. Nice spot.
Curtis Mayfield's '72 band in Germany Part 1
(https://m.facebook.com/sajukebox/videos/curtis-mayfield-live-at-beat-club-19720119-part-1/1209666982513922/)
Part 2 (https://www.facebook.com/RocknRollRelaxin/videos/curtis-mayfield-live-on-beat-club-1972part2/3377399249045461/)
Quote from: 71 dB on October 30, 2023, 03:48:48 AMSly & the Family Stone doesn't seem to work for me. Years ago I tried it, but the feeling I get from the music is it lacks energy and drive. It is "lazy funk." It is possible I just haven't heard the right stuff.
If all the Sly Stone you heard was from
There's a Riot Going On, I could see where the idea of 'lazy funk' comes from. That album is considered by many to be his masterpiece, though not quite everybody. It was definitely a change of direction for him, from high-energy optimism to...very very not that.
They're well-represented by their hits, and a good compilation would likely update your opinion one way or the other.
Their Greatest Hits album, released just prior to
Riot (which I'm not intentionally avoiding.)
Remember: they weren't strictly a funk band. They were funk-pop-rock, basically the ones who made funk mainstream.
Quote from: ando on November 03, 2023, 02:44:52 PMCurtis Mayfield's '72 band in Germany Part 1
(https://m.facebook.com/sajukebox/videos/curtis-mayfield-live-at-beat-club-19720119-part-1/1209666982513922/)
Part 2 (https://www.facebook.com/RocknRollRelaxin/videos/curtis-mayfield-live-on-beat-club-1972part2/3377399249045461/)
Nice. On part 2 now.
Quote from: KevinP on November 03, 2023, 05:07:36 PMIf all the Sly Stone you heard was from There's a Riot Going On, I could see where the idea of 'lazy funk' comes from. That album is considered by many to be his masterpiece, though not quite everybody. It was definitely a change of direction for him, from high-energy optimism to...very very not that.
They're well-represented by their hits, and a good compilation would likely update your opinion one way or the other.
Their Greatest Hits album, released just prior to Riot (which I'm not intentionally avoiding.)
Remember: they weren't strictly a funk band. They were funk-pop-rock, basically the ones who made funk mainstream.
I don't remember what I tried. Exploring new artists can be very difficult, because if you start with the wrong album, you lose your interest and stop there. From my perspective funk has NEVER been mainstream. At least in Finland it has always been very marginal music some weirdos listen to. All these funk artists mentioned here are quite unknown in Finland. This explains why I am so badly educated about this kind of music. I don't have the common knowledge for example Americans have.
Sly and the Family Stone discography:
A Whole New Thing (1967)
Dance to the Music (1968)
Life (1968)
Stand! (1969)
There's a Riot Goin' On (1971)
Fresh (1973)
Small Talk (1974)
Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back (1976)
Back on the Right Track (1979)
Ain't but the One Way (1982)
Are you saying the 70's stuff is "lazy funk" and I should stay in the 60's?
Actually I was surprised how much rock the music has, so what you say makes sense. Maybe this band just isn't for me...
Quote from: 71 dB on November 04, 2023, 02:17:55 AMI don't remember what I tried. Exploring new artists can be very difficult, because if you start with the wrong album, you lose your interest and stop there. From my perspective funk has NEVER been mainstream. At least in Finland it has always been very marginal music some weirdos listen to. All these funk artists mentioned here are quite unknown in Finland.
It is very easy indeed. If you start with a new album. Prove the opposite.
Quote from: AnotherSpin on November 04, 2023, 02:29:09 AMIt is very easy indeed. If you start with a new album. Prove the opposite.
I listened to their last album
Ain't but the One Way (1982) on Spotify. I didn't care about it much. However, it happened again: The least listened track on the album, "We Can Do It" with only about 90.000 listens was my favourite track by far.
(https://ukvibe.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nite_liters.jpg)
The Nite-Lighters ANALYSIS (1972, RCA)
(https://i.discogs.com/XSL5lcrQDLNSb4al78qYBaZ2GESbaOg2y0yXhGh5sSE/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:595/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTg3MDkx/Ni0xNjU2NDkwOTky/LTM5MzQuanBlZw.jpeg)
O'Donel Levy SIMBA (1974, Groove Merchant)
Quote from: BWV 1080 on November 04, 2023, 03:16:44 PM
Classic. Think it was mentioned earlier in the thread but your post did inspire a search which led me to a live '74 Germany (https://m.facebook.com/sajukebox/videos/war-musikladen-1974-03-18/2130098057037315/) performance (a couple of years after the album's release) I'm about to enjoy. Thanks.
Quote from: 71 dB on November 04, 2023, 02:17:55 AMAre you saying the 70's stuff is "lazy funk" and I should stay in the 60's?
'Lazy funk' is your term, not mine, so I'm reluctant to say, 'Yes, 70s Sly Stone is that lazy funk you don't like', especially as you use it so dismisively.
I will say that Riot was definitely sluggish (and downright drug-addled) in tempo, and the adjective 'lazy' is not entirely inappropriate, though most people would probably say that's what makes it work.
Honestly, don't even bother with Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back; Back on the Right Track; or Ain't but the One Way. Those are post-heyday attempts at a comeback that failed miserably. I'm a pretty dedicated fan but I very rarely listen to those, and when I do it's mostly to see if I still don't like them.
There is one album you didn't mention, Higher, credited to Sly Stone alone which I quite like.
As for the early albums, you can think of it this way:
A Whole New Thing: Sly Stone making the music he wanted to hear, but which didn't really sell
Dance to the Music: Sly Stone making the music he knew would sell. Massive success.
Life: If the first album was thesis, and the second, antithesis, this is the synthesis where it all comes together.
Stand!: Like the previous album but even better. If I had to pick a favourite album, it'd be this one.
There's a Riot Goin' On: Stone's optimistic hope that we could all live together in harmony came crashing down. A very different music emerges.
The next two albums,
Fresh and
Small Talk, extend from the previous one.
Can't forget
Tower of Power who were actually best experienced live -
(https://i.discogs.com/8JwNlb41qoZ20IgbaU28xV0OOKFisGNKcBUbMLfUTY0/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:595/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTc0Nzgz/NDMtMTQ2NDQ4NjQ1/MC00NDI1LmpwZWc.jpeg)
Knock Yourself Out Live And In Living Color (1976, WB)
Boots Collins on bass (tallest brother in back) on this live JB set. And, wow, it's been the source of a zillion samples -
Earth, Wind & Fire live and in prime form, circa '74. Just wish it wish the clip was in better shape. Glad we have it, for all that.
Plenty of funk can be found on "blaxploitation" sound tracks.
A brief example
Quote from: T. D. on November 06, 2023, 03:23:01 PMPlenty of funk can be found on "blaxploitation" sound tracks.
A brief example
Definitely. Most of it is fairly derivative stuff, though, let's admit it. I'd forgotten about this one. It's more than just the Bobby Womack title cut. Be interesting to compare
110th Street to Tarantino's
Jackie Brown Soundrack, which re-uses the Womack track (Pam Grier lip-synchs it at the end).
Quote from: BWV 1080 on November 06, 2023, 06:59:00 PM
I'm reminded of a quote from an old Richard Pryor comedy album (sorry, I forget which one and it's not easy to look up):
"The funk rushed out the house...knocked me to my God-damn knees!"
Quote from: ando on November 06, 2023, 04:16:44 PMDefinitely. Most of it is fairly derivative stuff, though, let's admit it. I'd forgotten about this one. It's more than just the Bobby Womack title cut.
Overall a good album, though I think that the JJ Johnson tracks are superior to Womack's, although the title cut holds it own.
Got this one recently but haven't played it yet.
JJ Johnson.
Themes And Cues For Movies & TelevisionPreviously Unreleased Cinematic Jazz-Funk for Film & Television by Arranger/Composer J.J. Johnson 21 tracks featuring music from Across 110th Street, Top Of The Heap, The Fuzz Brothers, The Bold Ones. Funky Moog modulations, car chases, moody library cues and a righteous soul sister preaching universal truths all revealed in these recently discovered recordings. Masterful arranging and lush orchestration by one of the giants of the Jazz & Soul/Funk Genres. Cut direct to vinyl from the reference tapes.
Quote from: KevinP on November 04, 2023, 07:55:24 PM'Lazy funk' is your term, not mine, so I'm reluctant to say, 'Yes, 70s Sly Stone is that lazy funk you don't like', especially as you use it so dismisively.
I will say that Riot was definitely sluggish (and downright drug-addled) in tempo, and the adjective 'lazy' is not entirely inappropriate, though most people would probably say that's what makes it work.
Honestly, don't even bother with Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back; Back on the Right Track; or Ain't but the One Way. Those are post-heyday attempts at a comeback that failed miserably. I'm a pretty dedicated fan but I very rarely listen to those, and when I do it's mostly to see if I still don't like them.
There is one album you didn't mention, Higher, credited to Sly Stone alone which I quite like.
As for the early albums, you can think of it this way:
A Whole New Thing: Sly Stone making the music he wanted to hear, but which didn't really sell
Dance to the Music: Sly Stone making the music he knew would sell. Massive success.
Life: If the first album was thesis, and the second, antithesis, this is the synthesis where it all comes together.
Stand!: Like the previous album but even better. If I had to pick a favourite album, it'd be this one.
There's a Riot Goin' On: Stone's optimistic hope that we could all live together in harmony came crashing down. A very different music emerges.
The next two albums, Fresh and Small Talk, extend from the previous one.
In order to actually "enjoy" my music exploration journey I need to do it by myself. Whenever I do it "online" publicly, I am being suggested and recomended tons of stuff I feel I am "supposed" to like regardless of what I actually feel myself. It becomes a burden and something I don't enjoy. My participation on this thread will now become near non-existing.
Take it easy, 71; it's a celebration and discovery thread, not a mandatory syllabus. Our earlier conversation was merely the jumping off point for some deeper funk exploration. However you want to do it - enjoy!
:)
Quote from: T. D. on November 06, 2023, 03:23:01 PMPlenty of funk can be found on "blaxploitation" sound tracks...
How about tv show themes? There were a LOT of funky title tracks. This is the first one I thought of though, for the life of me, I couldn't remember if it actually had a tune! ;D
The theme to
Barney Miller is another favorite, the full version of which was never played on air. But it's even better. Didn't know it was the track that inspired Cliff Burton (Metallica) to play bass. Cool.
remember begging my parents to let me stay up to watch the theme song when it came on at 9:00 (they would not let me watch the show itself)
Looks like a lot these cats were around when they originally recorded Tom Scott's (sax) theme to
Starsky & Hutch. ;D
the actual opening/closing spot:
I wouldn't normally share something like this here, but since we've veered into the topic of 70s cop show themes, the coincidence (I just finished this piece) is too great not to share it.
Quote from: KevinP on November 07, 2023, 06:23:42 PMI wouldn't normally share something like this here, but since we've veered into the topic of 70s cop show themes, the coincidence (I just finished this piece) is too great not to share it.
(https://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0065.gif) Love it. Especially the intro. Then about five different campy 70s shows came to mind once the melody dropped . Fun.! Thanks.
(https://i.discogs.com/jCiSW_o9QS6tq4wHl5bh98T43WixmdDZHcpdYuGUVHk/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTI1NDU3/NjktMTMzMTEzNDAz/NS5qcGVn.jpeg)
Jack McDuff The Heatin' System (1972, Cadet)
Classic double lp. McDuff and his band provide good, hooky funk and vary the grooves for a nice flow.
Enjoying this nice live set by the original Meters band doing some of their 70s stuff. I forgot that Art (keys, vocals), one of the Neville Bros, was a part of its founding. I wouldn't call this lazy funk but it IS nicely laid back. :)
I thought the Isley Bros., who recorded quite a few good tunes, were more soul than funk.
But
And to drop another name,
Quote from: T. D. on November 08, 2023, 06:22:12 PMI thought the Isley Bros., who recorded quite a few good tunes, were more soul than funk.
But
And to drop another name,
Agreed, The Isley Bros certainly laid some great funk tracks but overall were essentially a great R&B act.
Gil Scott-Heron was not an artist subject to any one label (as few talented people are). To me he was primarily a kind of poet/prophet who used African-American musical forms to support and expand his craft. Anyone doing any serious examination of Hip Hop would certainly reference him and The Last Poets as late 60s/early 70s forbears of that genre.
The Bottle is a great track that sounded even better when he did it live (caught a set in a small club back in the 90s).
One of his funkiest:
Agreed on G S-H!
The Revolution... is his calling card.
This one is more soul or R/B than funk but another favorite:
Rose Royce fans already know about this one but the group went funk-lite and took advantage of an apportunity to produce a Hollywood soundtrack, one of the more popular of the 70s:
(https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=uu4QlxziGNLsnKTFkJEcCgSijaXJlYnq0St31qpAJWo=&f=5)
CAR WASH Soundtrack (1976, MCA) full album playlist (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGhueyV9XfD4NDzlSdvCojmUHOABkhWo_&si=wVVeQQdIzKniAg61)
One of the groups on the Car Wash soundtrack, The Pointer Sisters, despite doing a big 1940s retro act also laid some tight funk based hits during the 70s. The first is an extended version of their Car Wash contribution:
You Gotta Believea live version of their hit,
Yes We Can Can:
probably their biggest of that decade:
How Longand my favorite,
Goin' Down Slowly:
Woke up to this one. No bass line to announce the funk and plenty of electric keyboard work. Prince certainly wasn't the first to do it...
Funkadelic Tales of Kid Funkadelic (Opusdelite Years)
As a fan of Sonny Blount I have to throw these into the pot ;D . Barely within '70s, released '78-'79.
Ran into the 80s funk-pop classic
Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson on the Tube but hadn't realized the title cut was destroying laptops. (https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20220816-00/?p=106994)
Nice video breakdown of the freak phenomena:
The album: