If You Like Funk: Check Out Vulfpeck
Please leave your thoughts: love it, hate it, somewhere in between or indifferent? And I apologize for the bad dancing white guy in the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTUnDV3MgVQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTUnDV3MgVQ
Showing 9 responses by shadorne
Great cover of higher ground. 12/8 is not often used in funk. Stevie Wonder seems to have borrowed liberally from James Brown who released this a month earlier...keyboards substituted for rhythm guitar. https://youtu.be/3qixQns6Xs4 Funnily enough the RHCP took the Stevie Wonder hit and made what is regarded as one of the best covers....they brought back the rhythm guitar instead of keyboard and they sound even more like the James a Brown original.... James Brown, the J.B.s, Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker are da fonk Also check this out https://youtu.be/FAogbmx6SHw |
@frogman I have so many of Maceo’s albums - all with great musicians. i find Jamal Thomas particularly tasty with Jerry Preston of course it helps to have Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley... The groove is sublime and the drummer is deep in the pocket with time behind the bass groove (late even on the “1”) except for the high hat keeping solid time -young drummers should listen to how fat this groove is...a mile wide!!!! The Rolling stones often play this way with the bass leading the groove and drummer slightly late - it sounds really good and it takes skill from all to create that kind of feel https://youtu.be/ABLwmYI09Lw |
I recommend Soul Vaccination Live By TOP as their best live album to own. A bit compressed dynamically (the heavy hand of Vlado Meller in Mastering) but very punchy and a great performance by Brent Carter (vocals) with just incredible energy from the entire crew. You are in row 5 with this recording. Live and in Living Colour is second best live - not as energetic perhaps a bit wistful or more “soul” leaning - only 5 tracks - though it has an amazing 23 minute Knock yourself out jam - a legendary performance - where Chester Thompson literally goes nuts! - not so close miked (1976) - row 20. |
+1 that video - I loved LP solo. Nothing better than that except perhaps the same track with Chester Thompson. Chester had a way and timing with the B-3 that used call and response at its best. I bought Back to Oakland back when I was 14 and been hooked ever since. I listen to everything but nothing amazes me more than TOP tight funky playing - best group of musicians on the planet. Back to Oakland album takes time to get used to but once you get it - heaven. Here is what I believe is the best live version of Knock yourself out - Chester Thompson is out of this world - his timing is just pure genius - the tension he builds is palpable - best of all he knows when NOT to overplay - choosing to keep the groove going much of the time with tasty licks here and there - not playing is the sign of a true genius as the space around the music is like the canvas in art - it can be used equally as part of the whole work. https://youtu.be/vamo6YOS-G0 Note Santana is totally outclassed - he can’t begin to keep up with this group of musicians...Santana timing or groove feel is really awkward on this song - he just can’t seem to find the pocket! Of course Red Hot Chili Peppers deserves a mention especially their early stuff! Try early Red Hot Chili Peppers on your kids! And Huey Lewis and the News are awesome. Live at 25 (at Chico’s) is a great demonstration of their live performances. |
I have the Brothers Johnson original album bought when it came out. Love The Meters. Not sure what you will like as Vulfpeck is more pop (like Maroon Five) than funk but definitely rooted in funk and a fun listen. If you haven’t heard these bands (see below) before then they all worth checking out (some are recent or still going and some disappeared the year after their only album release).... Tower of Power Strokeland Superband Rastus Lettuce Cold Blood Snarky Puppy Cat Empire Soulive Mingo Fishtrap Maceo Parker Nils Landgren Fred Wesley Skull Snaps Average White Band Phat Phunktion Rhinoceros |