Funk Forum
James Brown - Funky Drummer (Full Version, 1970) - HQ
updated
Label: Greedy Records
The longer 3:34 version of this single contains an amazing drum break. Beware of shorter versions that do not contain the break. Longer version also found on Ultimate Breaks & Beats vol. 2.
Label: Death Strobe Records
According to reddit, "bart" means moustache in Norwegian, and a "mopedbart" is a weak or thin stache, as on a young person.
This track is also on Hubbabubbaklubb's 2018 album, "Drommen drommerne drommer." I found it on a Bill Brewster compilation entitled "Late Night Tales Presents: After Dark - Nightshift."
Label: Sony BMG / Epic
Jamiroquai was the JK show at this point, generally to the detriment of full album quality, but Dynamite is still one of my favorite tracks by the band. Slamming funk / nu-disco.
This album was released in Japan / UK / Australia 2-3 months before the US version was released.
Label: Epic
Sweet cut features Jan Hammer on synthesizer and was written by drummer Narada Michael Walden (both of Mahavishnu Orchestra fame).
Label: Atlantic
Underrated song from and underrated album from an underrated group. "Soul Searching" is probably AWB's most complete album. It's filled with nuggets ready-made for hip hop. None of the songs jump off the page, but there's a ton of depth here and repeated listens will be rewarded. Recommended.
Label: Arista
Hiroshima tend to be a bit syrupy for my tastes, but this debut 1979 album has a couple of great tracks, including Lion Dance and Da-Da.
The band was founded by a husband & wife duo, Dan and June Kuramoto. The band has had many iterations over the years.
Label: Columbia/CBS
Kokomo were a 10-piece British band that put out two punchy albums in the mid-1970s. Per the liner notes of a nice BGO Records 2007 2-cd reissue of both albums, the band was managed by Steve O'Rourke, whose main client at the time was Pink Floyd.
The style was apparently called "pub rock" back in the day, but obviously there's heavy funk influence here.
Several more albums have been released over the years. Another interesting tidbit - Kokomo apparently did a session with Bob Dylan prior to the release of his 1976 "Desire" album, and may have influenced Dylan's sound on his ensuing European tour.
Label: Elektra
Double shot from this solid fusion / jazz funk album. Some funk fusion hasn't aged well, but this album has a nice groove. Co-produced by Larry Dunn (of Earth, Wind & Fire), and Lenny White.
"Time" was written by Don Blackman (he's also on keys). "Pooh Bear" was credited to Lenny White and Weldon Irvine.
Label: ABC Records
Rufus was a great band and this is one of my personal favorites. Excellent buildup and Chaka's voice is amazing as always.
Label: Gamble
Philadelphia's Yellow Sunshine featured Dexter Wansel on keyboards as well as brothers Karl and Roland Chambers. Wansel would later release several great jazz funk albums under his own name, while Karl and Roland Chambers joined the famous "Philly Sound" soul jazz group MFSB.
Great cover of Funky Nassau, originally by "The Beginning Of The End."
Label: Ubiquity
Label: Harvest - reissued via the "Music On Vinyl" label in a nice pressing.
Slithering jazz funk from Marc Moulin's 70s Belgian outfit. All of Placebo's catalog is worth seeking out.
Label: Disques Esperance
Two non-consecutive songs from Cortex's 1975 Troupeau Bleu album, a jazz funk classic that has been sampled many, many times.
Troupeau Bleu means "Blue Herd" in French.
Label: Far Out Recordings
Great track by the Brazilian legend. An edited version is featured on one of Gilles Peterson's compilations.
Label: Self-Released
Great medley off Louis Cole's self-released 2019 digital album. Make sure to check out the @FunkForumRadio page for a few more tracks featuring Louis Cole.
Label: Brainfeeder
Second of three consecutive tracks that I will be posting featuring Louis Cole. This one is a quirky collaboration with Thundercat. Both are putting out creative and original music that deserves to be heard.
Label: None
Scary Goldings combines the great organist Larry Goldings with members of Scary Pockets, including founders Jack Conte and Ryan Lerman. Louis Cole is on drums here and the chemistry is obvious.
Label: New Bag
Sourced from an excellent compilation: Keb Darge's Legendary Deep Funk Volume 2.
Label: Nemperor Records
Label: BBE
Brian Jackson is a keyboardist, flautist, singer, composer, and producer from Brooklyn, NY. He worked on some great collaborations with Gil-Scott Heron in the 1970s. This whole 2022 album is excellent ... highly recommended.
Originally released on the Blau label in 1986 as a 7" single.
Excellent "El Sur" compilation released in 2014 on the Music From Memory label.
Manzel's original Space Funk / Jump Street single was released in 1977 on Fraternity Records.
This one is a Sir Orbit special.
Compilation also known as - Spaced Out: Ten Original Disco Funk Grooves
Thanks to Soulman Sammy for introducing me to this album in college. Still bangs!
Label: People (Polydor in Europe)
Tracks 3 & 4 from the 1974 album by this version of the J.B.'s.
Thanks to my brother (aka P&G) for giving me an original of this outstanding record for Christmas! I was mainly familiar with the title track, as well as Rockin' Funky Watergate from this album, but the two tracks above are smoking.
James Brown and his band are in peak form here.
Label: United Artists Records
Label: Reprise Records
Label: De-Lite Records
Love & Understanding is the last Kool & The Gang album to feature their traditional funk/jazz sound. Afterwards, the band began to move towards, slicker pop-oriented arrangements and vocals.
Label: Arista
Second half of my Jamaica, Queens double shot ... first half is Bernard Wright's Spinnin': youtu.be/PP5ohALNbPM
youtu.be/AoQ4AtsFWVM?list=PLTBU9u80xwmqtFtylpF8HtmUld_41cexY
Bernard Wright, son of Roberta Flack, was 16 when he cut this album!
Label: KUDU Records
This track is probably my favorite cut from Mr. Washington. Smooth flow, then a nice funky breakdown at the 5:18 mark.
Label: De-Lite Records
First three tracks from this great album - recorded from vinyl many years ago - enjoy the little pops and crackles:
Spirit Of The Boogie (0:00)
Ride The Rhythm (4:53)
Jungle Jazz (7:49)
Label: Vulf Records
Great synth version of "It Gets Funkier." Vulfpeck's entire catalog is worth checking out.
This 2018 single features Yussef Dayes on drums, Alfa Mist on keys, and Mansur Brown on guitar. Brown has a nice solo towards the end. The UK jazz scene is percolating right now!
Label: Athens of the North
Standout track from Greg Foat's 2019 album - this one gives me a Placebo / Marc Moulin vibe.
youtu.be/AoQ4AtsFWVM?list=PLTBU9u80xwmqtFtylpF8HtmUld_41cexY
Album: Black Focus
Label: Brownswood Recordings
youtu.be/AoQ4AtsFWVM?list=PLTBU9u80xwmqtFtylpF8HtmUld_41cexY
Original Label: Chiaroscuro Records (several reissues exist)
James Mason (guitar/keyboards) was part of Roy Ayres' late 1970s lineup. Mason is prominently featured on the great "Running Away."
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youtu.be/AoQ4AtsFWVM?list=PLTBU9u80xwmqtFtylpF8HtmUld_41cexY
Label: Brainfeeder
youtu.be/AoQ4AtsFWVM?list=PLTBU9u80xwmqtFtylpF8HtmUld_41cexY
Label: Glassnote
Childish Gambino is Donald Glover's stage name.
youtu.be/AoQ4AtsFWVM?list=PLTBU9u80xwmqtFtylpF8HtmUld_41cexY
Label: Polydor
youtu.be/AoQ4AtsFWVM?list=PLTBU9u80xwmqtFtylpF8HtmUld_41cexY
Label: Milestone
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Label: Tru Thoughts
Hat tip to Sir Orbit on this one.
1) Lettuce - Intro (2004) - 0:00
2) Average White Band - Love Your Life (1976) - 1:25
3) Average White Band - I'm The One (1976) - 6:14
4) The Procussions - Virginia Wolf (2013) - 10:26
5) Eddie Bo and the Soul Finders - Hook and Sling (Full Vocal - 1969 re-released 1996) - 14:32
6) Googie Rene - Firebird (1966) - 18:08
7) Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Flipside (2009) - 20:40
8) Menahan Street Band - The Traitor (2008) - 23:00
9) Jan Hammer Group - Don't You Know (1977) - 25:32
10) Bobby Lyle - Groove (Ain't No Doubt About It - 1978) - 28:26
11) Manzel - Space Funk (1977) - 32:08
12) Locksmith - Unlock The Funk (1980) - 35:42
13) Trombone Shorty - Dumaine St. (2011) - 40:01
14) Amadou & Mariam - Coulibaly (2005) - 42:32
15) Orgone - Funky Nassau (feat. Fanny Franklin - 2007) - 45:47
16) Skull Snaps - It's A New Day (1973) - 49:22
17) King Errisson - Sleep Talk (1976) - 52:15
18) Kool & The Gang - Come Together (1976) - 55:13
19) Ohio Players - Climax a.k.a. Theme from 69 (1972) - 57:58
Cover Image: "Funk" by Ricky Vincent
Thank you for listening! I do not own the rights to any of these songs. Mix is for the love of the music. Funk is its own reward...
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Label: Mercury
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Label: Polydor
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Label: Capitol Records
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Label: A&M Records
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Label: Blue Note
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Label: Westbound
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Label: Fantasy Records
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Sophisticated Honky is taken from "The Killion Floor" album. Credit to Turner Classic Movies for the "Dublin in Brass" clip. No copyright infringement intended.
Look for a Smith, Rogers and Eddie routine about halfway through the scene.