Today I want to write something about funk. Not only the US funk, but I want to travel around the world - Africa, east and west Europe, maybe something from Asia as well. I mean, why not - You have to try everything!
A lil' bit of history
Wikipedia describes funk as
a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord, distinguishing it from R&B and soul songs, which are centered on chord progressions.
bla bla bla. Funk got soul, energy and groove. Got love and feelings. Got dance and vibes. That's why You have to funk Your life a little bit!
Everything started from Little Richard (after that he became a pastor, but that is a whole different story ;p) It was 1956.
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Performance of "Tutti Frutti" in the 1956 Alan Freed film "Don't Knock the Rock."
It was basically half rocknroll half funk, but that when all started. When Little Richard decided to became a pastor (He had to be an awesome pastor - I always see these speaches with praying and dancing and singing - he probably was perfect for that), his band disbanded and join the other genius, ladies and gentleman, Jaaaames Brown!
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James Brown - I feel good
That guy could learn You how to dance:
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He is on fireee!
And those sicks tunes in his every track:
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James Brown - Papa's got a brand new bag
Then You got Parliament and Funkadelic - both children of George Clinton.
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Parliament Funkadelic - Bring The Funk
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George Clinton - Hey, Good Lookin'
Then we got the mid and late 70's with the awesome Kool and the Gang, Herbie Hancock, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Barry White....
Disco started to be a major music genre as well, but that only helped funk.
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Chic - le freak
Herbie Hancock made on of the sickest funk/hh colaborations ever :
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Herbie Hancock - Rock It
In the 80's we had Prince. Funny fact : in 1983 James Brown on his own concert invited Prince and Michael Jackson on the stage. Micheal danced the hell out of them, Prince was so drunk he could not perform ;p
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Michael Jackson, Prince & James Brown 1983
But Prince was (still is, but not as much, in the golden era) an amazing artist.
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Prince - Purple Rain
Here are some best(my opinion) USA funk songs, random order:
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Lamont Dozier - Going To My Roots (1977)
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Isaac Hayes - Hung Up On My Baby
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Ramsey Lewis - Summer Breeze
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Curtis Mayfield - Pusherman
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Rick James - Mary Jane
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Linda Williams - Elevate Our Minds
But funk is not only in USA. To be honest, USA was first, but it is still just the small part of the whole thing.
I gonna start with my own country, Poland:
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Breakout - Listen To The Rhythm / Słuchaj Rytmu
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Arp Life - Bu-Bu - this is in my opinion one of the best bangers from the 70's.
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Henryk Debich - Bądź Wieczorem W Dyskotece (the title means: " be in the disco this evening" )
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Novi Singers - Torpedo
Some russian/soviet stuff:
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Raimonds Pauls - Japanase Dance Act
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Qaya
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Romance For Lovers OST (1974) Alexander Gradsky, George Garanian & The Melodia Ensemble
Did You know that Nigeria is the funkiest country in Africa?
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Raphael Amaraebe & His Peacocks Guitar Band ~ Awu Adada Mi / Sambosa Mama
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Peter King - African Dialects
Ghana is not far away man:
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Black Star Sound - Nite Safari
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Honny and The Bees Band - Psychedelic Woman
We can visit Asia:
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Tatsuro Yamashita - Love Talking
Im actually a little bit short on the asian funk (language barrier;/)...
Anyways, I could write about Jamiroquai and Red Hot Chilli Peppers and so on, but whyat for? Everyone knows them.
Im kinda tired after this post, I will finish later, couple more countries left
Have a nice day !