 Definition of funk |
| In the Seventies and Eighties, the soul music bursts in three very distinct directions. As such, it preserves its emblematic figures, while evolving to new sounds (with the advent of new musical technologies). It is thus a little in reaction to these commercial forms converging with the pop one since develops a form more radical and aggressive of soul, the funk, whose interactions with the jazz are considerable. Like the jazz, the origin of the word funk is in connection with sweat drawn from the effort (exclusively sexual according to certain sources). The rate/rhythm is binary, solid, with its times strong (cf importance of the 1st time in P-funk), but syncopated, and mainly assured by the line low (often played in slap). More funk... |
| A FUNK ODYSSEY |
| Jamiroquai: After scoring the crossover hit "Virtual Insanity" in 1998 (remember the moving sidewalk video?), the U.K.'s Jamiroquai failed to keep their momentum alive with the somewhat scattered and skittish Synkronized. Thankfully for fans of the retro (if lightweight) pop/soul that is the band's specialty, Jamiroquai are back with their most cohesive effort since 1995's Return of the Space Cowboy. There's still too much blathering on about the cosmos from Stevie Wonder-inspired vocalist Jason Kay, the most egregious example being the subdued and folksy "Black Crow," which takes the bird-in-flight cliché to new lows. Better and much more rugged are the sizzling synth-driven "2001" and the guitar-stoked rave-up "Stop! Don't Panic." That's where the guys bring the funk with more bite than you'd expect....Buy this CD |
|  | | ORIGIN |
| Its origins are remote, and the funk term was already used in 1950-60 to baptize the great return of the jazz to the physical engagement of the blues and the gospel. A beater like Art Blakey with its musical turnings near to fright, is the example of an jazzman who provided the foundations of a new style. The undeniable father of the funk is obviously the godfather of soul: James Brown, and the majority of its musicians have a role to play in the evolution of this current. Its ex-bass player, Bootsy Collins animates, with the singer George Clinton the community of Detroit baptized "P.Funk", true surrealist group generating of two of the best orchestras of the kind, Funkadelic and Parliament. Anciens musiciens de James, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker et Pee Wee Ellis, alias les JB's pour un temps, ont eux aussi leurs influences. |
| ELECTRIC FUNK |
| McGriff, often considered jazz's finest organist after Jimmy Smith, always recorded his fair share of R&B and cheese, and considered himself more of a bluesman than a jazzman, anyway. As it is, the cheese has aged better than most of his music and he is no doubt raking in the sampling bucks as tracks such as "The Worm" (not included here) pop up on many a rapper's c.v. Funk used to be about authenticity of the street; now it's about the plushness of the lounge, and this album, originally recorded in 1969 for one of Sonny Lester's many labels, is a cornerstone of blaxploitation/cop show jazz. That, in itself, will tell you whether you'd like it. Classic reissue from the unsung hero of the Hammond organ. Recorded in 1969 & produced by Sonny Lester. 9 tracks....Buy this CD |
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