Funk This. Funk That. What A Beautiful Genre.

When I first started buying records in late 1970 I don't recall there being an actual music genre called funk...anyhow the very first record I actually wanted to buy was James Brown's "Sex Machine" (which I had a hard time getting because it had already had it's chart run and wasn't in stores anymore). So one of the first 45s I bought in lieu of that one was JB's "Super Bad" which I bought in a little local store that was owned by one of my classmate's parents (she worked there in the afternoons). It had just come out and I bought it unheard (of course it was great). But I was always on the lookout for records with the word "Funky" or "Funk" in the title (I actually called them "hard core soul" or "underground soul" back then).

So the first 45 I got with that word in the title was "It's A Funky Situation" by Ted Taylor on the Ronn label...here it is (couldn't find the mono single version but the stereo is still good)

 

Check this out:



Lee Moses - Time And Place »

(full album Lee Moses - Time And Place LP 1971 (Remastered) »)

 

This compilation of some of his funkiest tracks is fun:

 

One of my favourite funk albums:

 

Curtis Mayfield's 70's stuff was mad funky! Here's one not too many people know.

 

So good!

The Chapparrals - Juicy Fruit

 

Stumbled upon this on YouTube:

 

I just picked up Kool & The Gang's "Wild and Peaceful." Man I had no idea! Before today, Kool & The Gang to me just meant Celebration.

This 1973 album is fantastic! A funk and jazz monster.

 

Do Kool & The Gang have other great 70's albums?

 

Underrated Funk & Jazz, I just picked up these two albums...Eric Burdon & War second album, excellent record and War's first album also a winner.

 

Yessstiles, all of Kool And The Gangs 70s albums are good!

 

How about The Brothers Johnson "Get Da Funk Out Ma Face"

 

I like that one. The single is longer than the original album version for some reason.

 

1975's Spirit Of The Boogie is stellar. Even funkier than Wild And Peaceful, and still has the jazz vibes on certain songs. It's the pinnacle of the 'early' K&TG.

 

The self-titled first Kool & the Gang album is very funky as well, and also check Ohio Players 'Pain' and 'Pleasure' lps. I really dislike the slick stuff these bands released later on, but the first couple of lps are very good.

 

Sorry but I have to post this again. It deserves more attention.
It's dreamy and funky. Listen to that bass playing. It's otherworldly, man!
I love Parliament but this is the epitome of intergalactic funk. Aliens "Soul Train" dance to this song.

 

Yea I got a 12" Single 45rpm with it on one side and Strawberry Letter 23 on the other side. The 12" has the disco version which is longer also.

 

funky alien

 

Dang. Too bad it's not available on cd.

 

According to RYM and Discogs, there are 2 or 3 different CD editions out there.

 

Same here, old Kool & the Gang is fantastic stuff, and really different. Kind of like Chicago - just a different band in the early days.

James Brown and Chic are some of the ones that come to mind. Chic just groove that is really great. Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers.

Level 42 is also another one that is really fun for me. Mark King is something else in talent.

 

Just discovered this one recently. Where has it been all my life?

EDIT: This is the B-side of the 12", by the way. I thought the regular 12" mix was on youtube also, but couldn't find it at the moment.

 

I moved so much at the James Brown concert I went to about 25 years ago, I was actually sore the next day. But I just couldn't sit still!