On this trip to Funkytown, I will discuss a diverse range of artists who emerged from and evolved the world of Funk. If you have any insights, feel free to drop a comment. I’d love to learn from you.
Embrace the Funk
Lately, I’ve been questioning the true essence of music genres. What commonalities define these categories? Are genres a product of time and place, or sound and style? Are they rigid or fluid? Proper nouns or not? (In this post, they won’t be.)
Various albums by the same artist can fall under different genres. Consider the legendary 70s San Francisco soul artist, Darondo. While his “Didn’t I – EP” was labeled funk, other albums were classified as soul or R&B.
Some argue that funk music blends rhythm and blues with soul, while others claim it has roots in jazz. I believe it draws influence from all these genres as well as the 1960s psychedelic and sexual revolution.
Genres continually evolve across a vast musical landscape. Their boundaries are fluid, ethereal, and flexible. The distinctions are dynamic, intricate, and funky.
As we make our way through Funkytown, let’s agree to take genre only as seriously as it takes itself (which is not very seriously).
Play That Funky Music
Funk, a genre rooted in dance music, gained immense popularity during the 70s and 80s. Its captivating rhythm draws listeners in with an irresistible groove that makes the body move.
There are certain characteristics that make funk immediately recognizable; from its syncopated rhythm to dynamic bass lines, swinging 16th notes, occasional synthesizers or electric organs, and brass instruments like trumpets, saxophones, or trombones.
Funk serves as a musical dialect that thrives on theatre and interaction. Stemming from African musical traditions, funk bands often improvised or “grooved” during studio sessions, sensing when to transition within a song’s structure. Rehearsals were like a dialogue, paving the way for expressive performances filled with flair and showmanship.
Funk tracks are frequently remixed into various genres like rock, reggae, dance, or rap. They evoke a raw energy that can make you want to scream, like a sex machine!
Funk Off
No! Wait, don’t go just yet! “Funk Off” is the name of a playlist I curated, featuring over 200 songs spanning sixteen hours of funky music, from the early days of funk to its modern iterations.
The “Funk Off” playlist celebrates funky tunes from the 60s up to today. It delves into the key moments in funk history and explores its subgenres: avant-funk, p-funk, boogie, funk metal, g-funk, funk jam, Go-go, progressive soul, disco, afrobeat, jazz funk, nu-funk…
Kicking off in 1962 with the iconic instrumental track “Green Onions” by Booker T. Jones from Memphis, the playlist also features a mix of psychedelic, alternative, and hard rock songs.
How can I justify rock in a funk playlist? Ask Jimi Hendrix, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ask the risk taking, multi-instrumentalist, funk icon, Rick James, who once shared an R&B-rock fusion band with the reefer-smoking rockstar Neil Young. We could ask ZZ Top or Foghat, who popularized Boogie rock in the late 1960s. There were also The Meters, a band from New Orleans known as the “Founders of Funk”, who toured with The Rolling Stones, and performed with Paul McCartney.
Trust me, yet? Listen, I’m just getting started…
MAPPING OUT FUNKY TOWN
James Brown initiated the funk movement in 1965 with his hit “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag.” Known as the Godfather of Soul, Brown was renowned for his dynamic performances and unique rhythm, emphasizing the first downbeat of the measure, known as “the one,” influenced by Afro-Cuban mambo and sub-Saharan music traditions.
The roots of New Orleans funk can be attributed to James Brown and his band, The Furious Flames, while the style was crafted by The Meters, known for their down-to-earth and alluring sound.
During the same era, Sly and the Family Stone, a mixed-gender, interracial band from San Francisco, skillfully blended funk, soul, and psychedelic rock, capturing the essence of the late 60s alongside bassist Larry Graham.
Funk’s global expansion brought prominence to George Clinton of Parliament, founder of P Funk, merging psychedelia with Afro-centric themes. From this movement emerged the legendary Bootsy Collins, who transitioned from playing bass with James Brown to pioneering new funk innovations.
The 70s and 80s marked the peak of funk music, witnessing the rise of various styles like Go-go in D.C., disco, and Afrobeat. Renowned musicians like Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson, as well as the synth-funk movement of the 1980s, which incorporated electronic instruments such as synthesizers and drum machines, further enriched the funk landscape.
AVANT-FUNK
- Punk-funk or mutant disco embodies a psychedelic essence aiming for self-loss through animalistic immersion
- Described by critic Simon Reynolds as “difficult dance music”
- Includes post-punk artists from the late 1970s like Talking Heads
- Merges funk with an avant-garde or art rock approach
- Addresses social issues like alienation, repression, and the technological dominance of Western modernity
BETTY DAVIS
Subversive supermodel and unflinching artist — Betty Davis, a.k.a. Nasty Gal, howls her stories of female sexuality over teeth-clenching funk racket.
Not only did she influence the ‘jazz fusion’ scene by connecting Miles Davis with Hendrix and Sly, but Betty was also a prominent figure in her own right, with her self-titled debut album recognized as one of the hardest funk records ever produced on vinyl.
ZAPP & ROGER
Zapp was an electro-funk band that gained recognition for their innovative use of the talk box in the 1980s. The group’s frontman, Roger Troutman, collaborated with Bootsy Collins to produce Zapp’s first album, resulting in the hit “More Bounce to the Ounce”.
West coast rappers and hip-hop artists frequently sampled Zapp’s tracks. For instance, 2Pac’s popular song “California Love” (1995) includes Roger Troutman’s distinctive talk-box vocals. Snoop Dogg’s “Who Am I (What’s My Name?)” (1993) features a memorable sample from George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog”. This sampling trend extended to artists like Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Warren G, DJ Quik, Nate Dogg, among many others, contributing to the emergence of G Funk, also known as Gangsta Funk.
Funk Influence in Modern Music
From the rubbles of disco emerged house and other electronic dance music. Consider Daft Punk’s freshman album “Homework,” with tracks like “Da Funk” and “Revolution 909.”
Today, disco is undergoing a revival with bands like Parcels and L’Imperatrice leading the way. Groups like Chicano Batman, Tommy Guerrero, and Khruangbin fuse indie pop, Tropicalia, soul, funk, and psychedelic rock, creating a diverse and vibrant music scene.
Funk, since its inception, has evolved into a global genre. While it may seem counterintuitive to name a playlist “FUNK OFF,” the intention is to celebrate the unity found in countercultural creativity.
What does the phrase “funk off” signify? I see it as a departure from norms, rigidity, oppression, confusion, insecurity, inhibitions.
Your input is valuable here. I am eager to hear which songs evoke that funky sensation in you.
I’m Coming Out
We set ourselves free to love and be truthful, inspired and fruitful.
Through music that stirs our emotions, we seize control of our bodies and decisions, rejecting limitations, unfairness, and criticism. Amidst this, we are boldly untamed, fervent, and composed. We are wise, receptive, and respectful of others.
Funk is an essence. It is the stink that makes you think; the rhythm that guides your heart, soul, and feet.
Do you agree?