If You Like Funk: Check Out Vulfpeck

Sounds like you have two sharp and talented kids, astewart; congrats.  What a great thing for siblings to do together, play music!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jhDl4IDfYOg

One more:

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5GbpvIt-4ns

Just what is “Funk”?  For me, the word suggests “dirty” (at least a little), “soulful”, maybe “sexual”.  Very relaxed, but deep groove even at faster tempos.  That is a good cover of “Higher Ground”; but, for me, that ain’t “Funk”.  Funky for sure; very impressive and fun.  But.....  The feel is not right.  It’s too slick, produced.  Dave Weckl is an amazing drummer and your son has good taste in drummers.  However, the best funk drummers play very little; not nearly as much as Weckl does.  For them it’s all about the feel.  Overall, the playing is great, but with a California studio sound and feel.  Dare I say it...sounds too white.  The singer, doesn’t quite get there.  Don’t get me wrong it’s good stuff.  But, Funk?.  Not so sure.  But, that’s just me.

Funk:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CF4bP6ZubIA

I agree about Jamal Thomas; great pocket.  But, for me, the king will always be Clyde Stubblefield.  With Fred Wesley:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OMj9wwO1yT4

And, of course, the classic “The Funky Drummer”:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AoQ4AtsFWVM

Chazro’s mention of Maceo Parker made me think of this.  Check out drummer Kenwood Dennard!  

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFEE0078A61BE5C06

No discussion of Funk would be complete without mention of these classic vintage funk albums:

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL94gOvpr5yt2-wFPNHTdQeVvJsQTCHV3V

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aP6CXdWUpNQ

And probably the best (and very influential) instrumental jazz-funk album of all time:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3m3qOD-hhrQ

I agree with chazro about TOP’s peak record. Back To Oakland is a great record; but I think that peak record status needs to be shared with Urban Renewal. Maybe putting too fine a point on things since they were both recorded the same year (1974), but if forced to choose, I might choose UR as the one...maybe.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UrxRJ9HlfZk

Lenny Picket is a very unusual musician and very erudite individual. Aside from his obvious talents as a great funk tenor player, one much lesser known creative side of his is that he is also a very accomplished modern composer who has written many chamber and orchestral works including an opera.

Great story, chazro, btw.

astewart, I like your attitude.  I too think there is value in staying up to date on what the younger generation is listening to.  Even if I don’t like the music (often) it puts it all in a better perspective for me, and I have discovered some things that I do like.  

Don’t quite “hate” it; but close.  I get the comparison to The J5, but not as good.  Cute, but very lightweight and bubble-gummy stuff.  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ho7796-au8U