Originally posted by PocketPlayer:
LET'S GET FUNKEEEEEEEE
SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
First the three most essential discs:
Greatest Hits[Epic]' (1970) is a very nice summary of 1968-1969 material and contains most of the highlights from 'Dance To The Music', 'Life' & 'Stand!', as well as three non-LP hit singles. 'Stand!' (1969) made Sly a superstar. A masterpiece.
'There's a Riot Goin' On' (1971) was a turning point in Sly's music. Little of the freshness of previous albums here. Definitely the gloomiest, "stonedest" Funk ever, though it has its lighter moments too. A masterpiece.
THE METERS: 'Rejuvenation' and 'Funkify Your Life'.
'Rejuvenation' is my all-time favorite album. It's an absolute killer! Every song is brilliant. Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste (drums) + George Porter Jr. (bass )
FUNKADELIC:
'Music for Your Mother'.
This is...um...different! George Clinton's Funkadelic took Jimi Hendrix's and Sly Stone's Funk-Rock several steps further. 'Music For Your Mother - The 45's' is a great introduction, but you really need more or less their whole catalogue. Stand-outs include: 'Maggot Brain', 'Cosmic Slop' (their most commercial), and 'Standing on the Verge of Getting It On' (2nd most commercial). As for 'One Nation Under a Groove', their commercial breakthrough - it's not their best, in my opinion.
PARLIAMENT: Basically the same band as Funkadelic, but less Rock- and more party-oriented. No screeching guitars here, just lots of truly whacky Funk!
There is a two-CD compilation, 'Tear the Roof Off 1974-1980', but the selection includes too much of the later stuff for my taste. I suggest you get these instead: 'Up for the Down Stroke', 'Chocolate City', 'Clones of Dr. Funkenstein', 'Mothership Connection' and 'Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome'.
BOOTSY'S RUBBER BAND:
The former bass player for James Brown and Parliament/Funkadelic cut three very good, quite cartoonish, fun albums in the late 70's: 'Stretchin Out in Booty's Rubbe', 'Ahh...The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!' and 'Bootsy? Player of the Year'. 'Live in Louisville 1978' is also recommended, if only for the kick-ass "Bootzilla"!
LARRY GRAHAM & GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION: 'The Jam: The Larry Graham & Graham Central Station Anthology'.
Sly & The Family Stone's bass player went on to make some pretty good stuff too.
THE J.B.'s:
'Pass the Peas: The Best of the J.B.'s'.
James Brown's backing musicians did a bunch of cool grooves on their own.
MANDRILL:
'Fencewalk: The Anthology'.
KAY-GEES:
'Keep on Bumpin' & Masterplan'.
CYMANDE:
'Cymande'.
THE OHIO PLAYERS:
'Orgasm: The Very Best of the Westbound Years'.
I like this a lot better than their later stuff on Mercury.
SLAVE:
'Stellar Funk: The Best of Slave'.
Things were getting a bit disco-flavored by the mid-70's...and that's where my enthusiasm lets off.
Most good Funk was done by more obscure groups, such as:
SKULL SNAPS: 'Skull Snaps'.
RIPPLE: 'Golden Classics of the 70's'.
SIR JOE QUARTERMAN & FREE SOUL: 'Golden Classics'.
'Stone Cold Funk: A Galaxy of Original Rare Grooves'. And for a very tasty dose of the Black Power & Civil Rights era, 'Stand Up & Be Counted' is essential!
The Average White Band
Cut the Cake
Very Best of Bohannon
I Don't Know What It Is But It Sure Is Funky Ripple
Fatback Band
Let's Do It Again
The Very Best of Chic
Rufas Thomas
Did You Heard Me/Crown Prince of Dance
K-Jee: Golden Classics The Nite-Liters
Fencewalk: The Anthology Mandrill
Various artists compilations are the best way to get hold of real deep Funk, but be careful what you buy - many so-called "Funk" CDs are little more than disco. Look for CDs with the words "breaks - rare grooves - deep funk" etc in the title. Listen before you buy.
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