What's best about funk?
From James Brown to Earth, Wind & Fire, an irresistible rhythm.
Funk is just as important as Rock. And it shares some origins with Rock, of course, but it stood out with James Brown and his special beats. Following that, we have seven clips from representatives of the style, all crucial. From funk came Grandmaster Flash, a precursor to Hip-hop. From funk came bands like KC and The Sunshine Band, Chic, Kool and the Gang, and others that made disco music shake up the dance floors of nightclubs. What would Prince be without James Brown? Michael Jackson is a child of Funk. The Jackson Five had all the elements of Funk. How about a special list of the Jackson Five and Michael Jackson? Hmmm… We'll talk more about them later!
1- James Brown - He, as everyone knows, is the father of Funk. He transformed his influences from Soul, R&B, and Rock into this wonderful, danceable style. JB wasn't easy. He played several instruments, invented a drum beat (it's in the song "Funk Drummer"), put on incredible shows (I was able to watch one of them very close to the master), and fined his performers when they made a mistake. JB was very serious!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgDrJ5Z2rKw
2- George Clinton - This Clinton smoked and inhaled a lot! George turned funk into a party, especially on stage. First with Parliament, then with Funkadelic. This video is just a sample of Clinton's music. We want to funk, dog style!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuyS9M8T03A
3- Curtis Mayfield - One of the pioneers of funk, he had a hit with "Superfly." It was even featured in a movie soundtrack, but he has other important songs like "Pusherman" and "People Get Ready." And Curtis's defiant little voice left a very personal mark. Talented, this Mr. Mayfield!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAh_4s_-tas&feature=related
4- Rufus and Chaka Khan - This Chicago band had exceptional musicians, a brilliant singer, and Stevie Wonder's help in production. Their huge success conquered the world. I remember surrendering to Rufus in the mid-70s.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWcAUxIgXxc
5- Sly and the Family Stone - What a family! Sly sang, composed, played his keyboard, danced, and led the party. They were at the Woodstock festival and roused the hippie rock crowd. Sly had his moments of cocaine-fueled euphoria. But he never "dropped the ball," if you know what I mean. They are definitely in the history of world popular music.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ig-6f0g55c
6- Rick James - To start, he plays a Rickenbacker bass! And he made funk his instrument of work with this huge hit. The music video is pure depravity, considering the time it was recorded. And who doesn't remember this song from the movie "Little Miss Sunshine"? Rick, you freak!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYHxGBH6o4M
7- Earth, Wind and Fire - A supergroup that had an impressive vocal ensemble, an impressive female metal singer, and a bassist who did somersaults on stage. Want more? They dominated the funk scene in the seventies.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S8ZrQG0y6g