Just started reading the comments on last night's BBC 4 documentary but stopped as I've not seen it yet. However, as these days Soul Sourcers are pretty open minded about funk, I thought it might be interesting to see what sort of funk people like.

So, Deep funk, funky Northern, funky R&B, disco funk, jazz-funk, JB style grooves - whatever floats your boat - why not chuck a few tunes up to show what sort of funk you like and maybe a few lines to explain why. They can be super rare/obscure or just a well known tune that you love to bits. Anything goes as long as it's funky. If you don't like funk then that's your prerogative, but this thread is just not for you and I'll reluctantly lock it if anyone comes on just to say that.


I'll start the ball rolling with the one that I definitely never tire of: Tony Alvon and the Belairs - Sexy Coffee Pot - Atlantic.

It's that explosion of rock hard drums, pounding base and kick ass guitar on the intro that never fails for me. 10 seconds in and there are horns, bubbling organ and exultant shouts. What follows is an amazing series of syncopated breaks and 2 minutes later it's all over. An astonishingly exhilarating dance record.

Edited December 10, 201410 yr by Godzilla

Street Dance - Fatback Band

Whilst attending Wigan Casino in the 70's I was leading a double life, playing funk to the scousers in clubs in Liverpool and Birkenhead. I still have quite a big funk collection and love playing this in the car especially with the bass on full whack

Cymande -  The Message

 

Probably a daft question but why do a lot of funk tunes reference a  "Jody " in the vocals , is this refering to someone or a slang name  for someone ? , seems to have heard quiet a few with it in for it to be a coincidance

I think it related to another man in a relationship. "Jody got your girl and gone", "Jody come back and get your shoes, you left your shoes under my bed" ,"Standing in for Jody"

Whilst attending Wigan Casino in the 70's I was leading a double life, playing funk to the scousers in clubs in Liverpool and Birkenhead. I still have quite a big funk collection and love playing this in the car especially with the bass on full whack

Cymande -  The Message

 

I saw Cymande in October at the Band on the Wall - all original members. They were absolutely fantastic.

It's difficult to choose just one but One Nation Under One Groove is a classic single full stop, Not just a great funk single.

Fatback Band - "wicky wacky"

 

Marva Whitney - "Things gotta get better (get together)"

 

Psychedelic brilliance, amazing atmosphere. What a recording, but no 45. When Kool and the Gang were untouchable.

 

Psychedelic brilliance, amazing atmosphere. What a recording, but no 45. When Kool and the Gang were untouchable.

 

 

 

A great rendition of a Kool and The Gang tune:

 

Jessie & the Mel-O-Tones: You best give it up (Top Hit)

 

This is all you need !

 

People's Choice - If You're Gonna Do It (Put Your Mind To It)

Andre Maurice - Cream Of The Crop

Lou Edwards - Talkin' About Poor Folks

Johnny Guitar Watson - It's A Real Mother For Ya

Crown Heights Affair - Streaking

East Coast Connection - Summer In The Park

Instant Funk - It Aint Reggae (But It's Funky)

Prince George - Wrong Crowd

Mighty Clouds Of Joy

Love this , Lunar Funk - Mr. Penguin - Bell

 

 

 

Fook knows what makes you do a 45 called Mr. Penguin but hey Ho ! and who the F is Music Mike ???

 

 

 

Put this up recently on Soul Source Look at My box thread.

Morning noon and night - "Bite your granny'

 

                 James Brown - Sex Machine

 

                 Chairmen Of The Board - Finders Keepers

 

                 Ohio Players - Skin Tight

 

                 Joe Quarterman - This girl of mine

 

                 Meters - Cissy Strut

 

                 Funkadelic - Cosmic Slop

This thread suddenly reminded me of a GREAT fast-funker that I never hear anywhere, even though I'd love to.....

 

Don Covay - The Overtime Man

 

 

Ian D

 

Funny - I always thought the same about this one - Don Covay 'Money' from Super Dude 1 album (Mercury)

 

A few more from me:-

 

1) Arlean Brown - I am a streaker (1974 Dud Sound) - brilliant lyrics

 

 

2) Rhythm Combination & Brass - Mr Clean (MPS LP) 

 

 

3) The Bamboos - Tighten up (Kay-Gee) - Keith Money spin from a couple of years ago - awesome drum break

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x3UjHgAsbo

Chairmen of The Board (feat. Paliament/Funkadelic-guys) - the bomb !

Soul Searchers - Think

Agree, he created the thing.

 

Talking about James Brown,I love Hank Ballard's LP on Polydor :

 

That´s a really cool "pro-Afro" kinda lyric, in the same school as  Ty Karim´s (Towana & The Total Destruction) "Wear Your Natural, Baby" - Romark 102 from 1967...

Marva Whitney - "Things gotta get better (get together)"

 

I love that, soooo sampled Hip Hop drums...

Some nice picks so far on this thread! Chuck Carbo is one of my favs. Some obscure ones too --- I'm surprised to see a mention of Carlos Malcolm. Here are a few of my top 45s:

 

First, Lou Courtney, "Hot Butter 'n All". Just totally, totally insane. This was just mind-boggling the first time I heard it. The flip is an instro version, and there's also a different version by Donald Height on the same label.

 

 

Second, one of my favourite instros, The Soul Swingers, "Ca'-Ba'-Dab". After years, I finally scored a copy a few weeks ago for only $125!!! (Found a BIN from a seller in Memphis who thought it was a Memphis 45.)

 

 

Finally, one of my top sister funk 45s: Dorothy, Oma, and Zelpha, "Gonna Put it on Your Mind". Surprising sound for a Motown label!

 

Some nice picks so far on this thread! Chuck Carbo is one of my favs. Some obscure ones too --- I'm surprised to see a mention of Carlos Malcolm. Here are a few of my top 45s:

 

First, Lou Courtney, "Hot Butter 'n All". Just totally, totally insane. This was just mind-boggling the first time I heard it. The flip is an instro version, and there's also a different version by Donald Height on the same label.

 

 

Second, one of my favourite instros, The Soul Swingers, "Ca'-Ba'-Dab". After years, I finally scored a copy a few weeks ago for only $125!!! (Found a BIN from a seller in Memphis who thought it was a Memphis 45.)

 

 

Finally, one of my top sister funk 45s: Dorothy, Oma, and Zelpha, "Gonna Put it on Your Mind". Surprising sound for a Motown label!

 

Great call Ephraim - that Lou Courtney 45 is a regular spin for me. And boy you got dead lucky with Soul Swingers - congrats!

 

Got to say these sort of tunes do it for me a lot more than the "funky Wigan" type tunes that some seem to prefer. Personal choice and all that though, I guess, so whatever floats your boat guys

Another couple of old fav's in me collection 

Young Disciples & Co - Crumbs From The Table - Gateway

Bobby Dee - Sweet Thing pt1 - Demo-Ristic

Edited December 8, 201410 yr by Kev John

Hearing the Soul Swingers had me going up to the loft to find the cassette with it on which I bought off a stall on Portobello Road Market in the 90's. My tape deck expired years ago so haven't heard the Soul Swingers in ages.  Lots of other v. good stuff on it - many on YouTube if anyone wants to check any of them out.

 

No Sly & The Family Stone yet? - Running Away a personal fave.

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by autumnstoned

Hearing the Soul Swingers had me going up to the loft to find the cassette with it on which I bought off a stall on Portobello Road Market in the 90's. My tape deck expired years ago so haven't heard the Soul Swingers in ages.  Lots of other v. good stuff on it - many on YouTube if you want to check any of them out.

 

No Sly & The Family Stone yet? - Running Away a personal fave.

 

An old Jazzman Gerald tape, still got mine somewhere. Some amazing stuff on there, still rare to this day...

 

Pretty much anything by Mickey & the Soul Generation is awesome. "Iron Leg" still sounds great to this day, but "How Good Is Good" is just an out and out killer...

 

 

godzillas below dig about saying a few words is probably aimed at me so I've done an edit to include a few words about my favourite funk 45 - it's probably from the more commercial side of the funk spectrum bit i think BT Express are one of the very top Funk groups of all time and Can't Stop Groovin probably is their finest - I've posted the 3 minute plus 45 version ( not the 5 minute plus album track ), I have very happy memories of dancing and playing this record over the years and although familiar and appreciative of the work of James Brown, George Clinton, Sly Stone etc I consider that when played loud this is one of the funkiest and most feel good records of all time...

 

how's that ?

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by soulski

Thanks for all the responses so far. Can I remind people to add title and artist so those unable to view video clips know what the tune is.

Also if you could say a few words about why the 45 you chose is a particular favourite - otherwise it just looks like it's the only record you know

 

Meantime here's another from me: Scorpio and his People - The Unforgiven - International Hits.

 

The appeal for me is the same as with any low budget rare soul 45, where they seem to have managed to create something with a quality that surpasses the cash available (and possibly the talent too). A rare 45 that almost sounds like the blue print for a lot of Truth and Soul output. And that badly hand drawn label manages to be a thing of beauty in its sheer awful amatuerness!

One of the greatest. Inspired Moog synth mental asylum of a track. Fred Wesley & JB's - Blow Your Head.

 

"Galaxy" - War

yeh man

 

godzillas below dig about saying a few words is probably aimed at me so I've done an edit to include a few words about my favourite funk 45 - it's probably from the more commercial side of the funk spectrum bit i think BT Express are one of the very top Funk groups of all time and Can't Stop Groovin probably is their finest - I've posted the 3 minute plus 45 version ( not the 5 minute plus album track ), I have very happy memories of dancing and playing this record over the years and although familiar and appreciative of the work of James Brown, George Clinton, Sly Stone etc I consider that when played loud this is one of the funkiest and most feel good records of all time...

 

how's that ?

"Energy To Burn" album version is better imho yooth

"Time Tunnel","Depend On Yourself" & "Make Your Body Move" luv these off the same LP   

Few more from me

Brass Construction - Now Is Tomorrow, What's On Your Mind & Ha Cha Cha

Kool & The Gang - Open Sesame (Part2), Spirit Of The Boogie, Hollywood Swinging & Rhyme Time People

Funkadelic - (Not Just) Knee Deep (Part 1)

Parliament - Party People & Up For The Down Stroke   

UNBEATABLE, 1968, AND LISTEN TO THAT RIFT, THE KING  James Brown-There was a time

 

Kev

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by kev cane

It's funny, even though I used to play mainly funk when DJ'ing in Birkenhead, just like the northern scene, there were records that would empty the dancefloor despite being quality records. Like this from Sir Joe Quarterman and Free Soul - I've got so much trouble in my mind

 

Having said that, they would always get up for this obscure item on PIR featuring Terry Wells of "You make it heaven" fame on lead vocals. Kev

 

City Limits - Love is everywhere

 

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by stateside

Also if you could say a few words about why the 45 you chose is a particular favourite - otherwise it just looks like it's the only record you know...

 

 

 

Few more from me

Brass Construction - Now Is Tomorrow, What's On Your Mind & Ha Cha Cha

Kool & The Gang - Open Sesame (Part2), Spirit Of The Boogie, Hollywood Swinging & Rhyme Time People

Funkadelic - (Not Just) Knee Deep (Part 1)

Parliament - Party People & Up For The Down Stroke  

 

...or that you're just naming random funk records as you remember them. So come on then Frosty Jack - what makes any of the above tunes so special for you? Why (from your perspective) are they so much better than any of the 45s anyone else has mentioned..?

It's funny, even though I used to play mainly funk when DJ'ing in Birkenhead, just like the northern scene, there were records that would empty the dancefloor despite being quality records. Like this from Sir Joe Quarterman and Free Soul - I've got so much trouble in my mind

 

 

 

 

That's a dancefloor rescuer surely!

Are you certain you weren't playing to punk crowd..?

...or that you're just naming random funk records as you remember them. So come on then Frosty Jack - what makes any of the above tunes so special for you? Why (from your perspective) are they so much better than any of the 45s anyone else has mentioned..?

JUST LUV EM

Most of these tunes mentioned are "new" to me.

Never had anywhere on my door step playing them in the day.except Stoke, went to a few clubs Hanley & Longton but was hard work to get to.

Didn't get transport till much later plus the crowd i hung with didn't get into it

I've been lucky to find loads of albums over the last year or so.

That's why i asked in an earlier post if anywhere was STILL playing them ???       

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by FrostyJak

It's funny, even though I used to play mainly funk when DJ'ing in Birkenhead, just like the northern scene, there were records that would empty the dancefloor despite being quality records. Like this from Sir Joe Quarterman and Free Soul - I've got so much trouble in my mind

 

Gotta agree with Godzilla --- nice track. Didn't know about it before, so thanks for posting it!

Love this , Lunar Funk - Mr. Penguin - Bell

 

 

Fook knows what makes you do a 45 called Mr. Penguin but hey Ho ! and who the F is Music Mike ???

 

 

 

Music Mike is amazing. That intro is unintentional comedic brilliance!

 

The tune is nice, too, but I prefer their other 45, "Slip the Drummer One" / "Space Monster". Both sides are good, but the "Slip" side has a little intro that I really love. Check it out:

 

Everyone knows it of course but an absolute breakbeat winner to this day...was a regular spin during at many a rare groove do in the late 80s early 90s down south (Bas clef/Blue Note)....and probably everywhere else to be fair

 

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by marshman

after a while of searching, just got this last week:

 

Solid State - rainy night all over

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by ljblanken

also a nice cheapie...

 

Willie Gresham and the Free Food Ticket - step by step

 

That's a dancefloor rescuer surely!

Are you certain you weren't playing to punk crowd..?

You'd think so. Nowt so fickle as folk!

I bought this recently - Jimmie Ellis - I Gotta See My Baby. Its the flip of Looking Thru The Eyes Of Love. Loose and a bit unhinged but all tied together with some great backing vocals and horns. 

 

A couple for you Godzilla!x I actually went to more Funk doo's than Northern in the 70's,,,,4 times to the Barn at Braintree which was a 'Mecca' for funk in East Anglia back then! Mate was into it....he had a car....sorted!x I was there the night Me And Baby Brother was first spun up there....DJ had just come off the plane from the States with it.......BLEW us all away...!!!x

 

Out of that era I have assembled only about 20 7" that represent that vibe......most have been listed.....although the 12" of Do U want To Get Funky with me deserves a special mention just for the scaaarey intro I recall!!x I danced to the following back int he 70's.....and yes Frosty Jak,,,,,,,I did spin all of them at a Northern doo at some point or other....and spun all 3 as recent as last Friday for my mates 50th......and finished with Welcome To My World by Jim Reeves......one of those nights.....marvellous!.!x

 

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LUV
SOOTY
X

 

...never hear this anywhere for 30+ years really....unless I play it...personal fav....Brecker Bros-East River!x

 

https://youtu.be/g-xMZjxtM9k

 

That get's hard core funksters off their seats......then keep em on the floor with this...!x I danced to it at Netherhall Youth Club mid 70's alongside the Champion and Love Factory.....so it was Northern....then danced to it at Braintree late 70's,.....so Funksters had claimed it too...! I played it at Blackburn and all major all-nighters thru the 90's and rocked the house with it normally 7.45am building for the finish....!x......Don Covay....It's Better To Have...!x

 

https://youtu.be/JmafTQaj4Rg

 

....and this final one....Jam Jam Jam...FLOOR FILLER EVERYTIME.....I spun it at the 100 Club Xmas Party........couldn't find a space to stand never mind dance.......AWESOME memory.....and a personal joy to have had it away considering i'd danced to it in me bedroom all alone as a kid....amazing...X It goes on at my 'house party's' about 4 in the morning to re-launch em...and was hot on the deck at around 11.30pm last Friday......and managed to dance to it meself whilst DJing.....wonderful!x

 

https://youtu.be/U1NxvauUzGk

 

The above are priceless...in DJing terms. I said in here some weeks back I could fill an hour and ram a floor for at least an hour with less than £10 worth of tunes. If you gave me £1 for the 3 above....I will give you 50p change........nuff sed....X

 

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...edit.....some Funky food and festive Funk to finish.......Derek is a keen Soulie and travels to gigs most weekends....luvly fella and deserving of my time and effort....for free. My pleasure...I assure you!x Happy Birthday Del....X I've pointed him in SS's direction....when he gets his head around a pute...!!hehe!x

 

 

Got a chance to spin this exact copy as featured on the Utube vid...once a year init!x Thanx A.C Fleming of Detroit...R.I.P....X iT came in a collection I bought from the son of a 60's/70's Soul DJ...in Detroit!x Every 1 a demo.....!!!x

 

MERRY XMAS!!!!x

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https://youtu.be/SOXdArMnLFs

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by SOOTY

after playing peoples choice that was posted on here, just had to follow it with

 

manu dbango - bigblow

 

 

 

plastic sandals and mohair jumpers in a hot sweaty night club tastic !

Edited December 9, 201410 yr by codfromderby

It's funny, even though I used to play mainly funk when DJ'ing in Birkenhead, just like the northern scene, there were records that would empty the dancefloor despite being quality records. Like this from Sir Joe Quarterman and Free Soul - I've got so much trouble in my mind

 

Thanks for that

One to add to my list

on a jazzy funky groove how about this, love to play this when its dark and grey ,always brings a smile, latin strut -joe bataan

 

Back from the dead - Bobby Byrd

 

my family have instruction to play that tune as my coffin goes through the curtain to be burnt. 

his is one of mine.

 

Here's something well know by what I think is a very underrated artist on the soul scene. I think he's great!

 

Rick James - Give It To Me Baby

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dNIQVYGXbM

Edited December 10, 201410 yr by daved