Category: Funk
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Rick James ‘Street Songs’ (1981)
When Street Songs dropped in 1981 Rick James was already a star but Dave Chappelle’s infamous “I’m Rick James, bitch!” skit two decades later reanimated the album for a whole new generation. Suddenly millennials like me who hadn’t been alive when “Super Freak” topped charts were quoting James while laughing our ass off in our…
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Commodores ‘Commodores’ (1977)
“That’s why I’m easy, easy like Sunday morning” is a vocal line that lives in my head rent free (and probably yours as well). To say it’s an iconic song is probably an understatement. It’s pretty much the defining song on any Sunday morning playlist anyone (including myself) have put together since March 30, 1977.…
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Wild Cherry ‘Wild Cherry’ (1976)
If you’ve ever turned on a radio in your life you’ve no doubt heard Wild Cherry’s claim to fame “Play That Funky Music”. It’s an absolute heater of a track that describes a real-life challenges the band had in adapting to the disco era. Wild Cherry actually a hard rock cover band early in their…
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The Fearless Flyers ‘IV’ (2024)
If you’re into funky, clean guitar work, locked-in grooves and serious musicianship without any pretension, The Fearless Flyers are the band for you. They’re essentially a spin-off of Vulfpeck, comprised of Cory Wong, Mark Lettieri, Joe Dart, and Nate Smith, and take a stripped down no-frills approach to funk music. I would say they’re defined…
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The Magic Beans ‘Casino Cabaret’ (2018)
The Magic Beans’ Casino Cabaret is a genre-blending shot of adrenaline that feels like a late-night celebration at the crossroads of funk, big band flair, and irresistible pop hooks. The album exudes a vibrant energy, with funky basslines and shimmering keyboards that transport listeners to a dazzling dance floor where every groove is a jackpot.…
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Red Hot Chili Peppers ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik’ (1991)
By 1991, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were already known as the wild children of Los Angeles’ rock scene, blending funk, punk, and irreverent humor into their music. But while their early albums showcased raw energy, they had yet to fully channel their potential into a cohesive masterpiece– before Blood Sugar Sex Magik that is.…
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Funkadelic ‘Maggot Brain’ (1971)
Parliament and Funkadelic, both spearheaded by George Clinton, represented two intertwined facets of his unique musical vision. Parliament, originally the name of Clinton’s doo-wop group in the 60’s, eventually evolved into a more mainstream, funk-oriented band known for its vibrant and theatrical style (their 1975 album Mothership Connection is a favorite of mine). Funkadelic on…
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Redbone ‘Wovoka’ (1973)
Redbone’s absolute smash single “Come and Get Your Love” was notable for a variety of reasons– the incredible groove, orchestral hooks, and iconic chorus that sounds like it was sung from the heavens. It also was the first Native American song to crack the Top Five of the Billboard Top 100 (peaking at #5 in…
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Parcels ‘Parcels’ (2018)
The true magic of Parcels is their obsession of seemingly endless repetition that still finds a way to surprise you in the midst of its relative monotony. The candy-coated pop hooks that loop endlessly for three and a half minutes, stacked with instrumental and vocal accoutrement that enhance the flavor of the song with each…
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War ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends?’ (1975)
War mixed R&B, funk, jazz, Latin, psychedelia, and reggae music all together in a melting pot that reflected the background of the musicians that comprised the multi-ethnic band, forging one of the more progressive soul groups of the 70’s in the process. Their 1975 album Why Can’t We Be Friends? is a viable walk down…
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Sly & The Family Stone ‘There’s A Riot Goin’ On’ (1971)
There’s A Riot Goin’ On marked a relatively significant departure for Sly & The Family Stone, with the band deviating from the upbeat and joyous funk sound they were known for to explore a more serious and political record. This was due in part to lead singer and frontman Sly Stone’s increased involvement with the…
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Vulfpeck ‘The Beautiful Game’ (2016)
A throwback to the early era of funk with massive rhythm sections, Vulfpeck is a concept band that plays with the idea of what a German band would sound like if they did a rendition of American funk music. It’s a vibe. Vulfpeck first rose to prominence in 2014 with Sleepify, an album with 10…
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Parliament ‘Mothership Connection’ (1975)
Welcome to the funk. With a loose and fun as hell mythology surrounding interstellar travel, spaceships, Thumpasorus people, and the ever-healing powers of the funk, 1975’s Mothership Connection is a concept album whose sole concept is to get your butt out of your seat and dance. I can sign up for that. I was first…
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Bruno Mars ’24K Magic’ (2016)
If this album doesn’t make you want to get up out of your seat, throw your hands in the air, and bust out dancing you’ve lost an appreciation for things that make life worth living. I’m serious. If you don’t smile at least once while listening to the album we can’t be friends. 24K Magic…
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