If You Like Funk: Check Out Vulfpeck

@grey9hound BTW I enjoyed the "ranting and raving." Glad you laid out your system for us too.
Regards
Al 

@fmpnd recommended Five Alarm Funk. I listened to "Anything Is Possible." This is the most eclectic group I have listened to from the "funk" groups listed above. This album is from 2010. Maybe the singer has changed (I hope so), I'm not into the singing numbers--the singer has no range--but there are only a few singing numbers. This group's sound is a mashup of big horns, a lot of guitar with the distortion and gain pushed up and a bass/drum combo that stays in sync pretty effectively. The song "UK 47" has a very cool bass groove and "Face Riot" is infectious. The shout-outs are super cool to close out the album..."ladies and gentlemen remember anything is possible!"...this song (Face Riot) is a winner. Thanks Frank. I can predict that this album is going to be a hit with my boys and their band buddies.
Regards
Al    

Al

I am so glad to be able to share some music with you and others here and glad your boys may like Five Alarm Funk. I see others have echoed a few from my list and that makes me so happy others are listening to these great groups.

i was fortunate today to have received Tower of Power’s first new CD (of original new music not a compilation) in nine years. I got it two days before it comes out on Friday (their label Mack Avenue Records is in Detroit right by my office) and it is truly fabulous!  It’s called “Soul Side of Town”

FIFTY YEARS together and they haven’t lost a beat.  Check it out and it comes on vinyl too for us LP guys!

Truly enjoyed and appreciated your post and this thread Al.

Frank

@fmpnd Thanks for the heads up on the new TOP CD. I'm going to get based on your recommendation. Also, please post a report after the 50th Anniversary concert. That should be cool.
 

@chazro Per your recommendation I listened to Jon Cleary's "Go-Go Juice" to end out my evening last night. I already was a bit familiar with Cleary from his work with Scofield on "Piety Street". So, my take on "Go-Go Juice" is that it feels like you walked into a New Orleans club and this sound meets you at the door. It is terrific because it is accessible. It is not the big sound of TOP, or Sante Fe and the Fat City Horns or Five Alarm Funk. That is not a knock on it at all. I like it--a lot. I bought the CD. This thread is starting to cost me money :-) New music is always a good thing!

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.

Glad you enjoy Cleary's Go-Go Juice, when yr ready for more of the same, chk out Occapella!  As far as Santa Fe & FCH goes, I also felt The Answer to be uneven.  The one before that; When The Curtain Goes Up, is a better record IMO.  You can hear tunes from this (and probably the majority of what's being recommended!) on YouTube!  As far as TOP goes, Back To Oakland is their peak record.  I was so into the band at this time, I saw them a bunch of times with the original line up!  Too bad there isn't a live record from these days featuring Lenny Williams, the band was truly on fire in every way!  In the mid 70's during their 'Ain't Nothing Stopping Us Now' tour, me and a gal pal went to see them at My Fathers Place, a club in NY.  Between sets the band came out to the bar and my friend met trumpeter Greg Adams.  Long story short, they've been happily married ever since!  Adams has been playing with his band; East Bay Soul, for yrs now.  I'll admit to not really digging this band, a little too soft & commercial for my tastes, and I think the bar being set SO high might have something to do with it.  But you might wanna chk 'em out!

….for giggles you should check out bass virtuoso, and a true Fonk Monsta in his own right, Marcus Miller’s version of What Is Hip from his record; Marcus. It’s an amazing performance but it also slams the point home about what a groundbreaking bassist/musician Francis Rocco Prestia is as thru most of the tune, Marcus is simply playing Rocco’s amazing licks!

@chazro Awesome backstory! My son plays the bass and Marcus Miller is one of his idols. I bought him "Afrodeeza" on LP for Christmas a few years back. At the time I could only find it for sale outside the US. That, I thought, was tragic. Pretty cool album though. There is a guy who should have more vinyl in his catalog.  

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.

@acman3 and @shadorne Just listened to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band album entitled, "Twenty Dozen". Nawlins' Music!. Wah wah trumpets, swinging tuba, foot tapping--this is dance in a Southern Louisiana street music,--but then there's "Git Up" a slowed down groove--horns harmonized--smooth with the organ holding chords while the sax slides over the top of a chunky walking bass lines. I like the relaxed pace of this band. They can slow down without sounding tired--that is hard to do. They rev up without losing the groove. The album is clearly New Orleans flavored but the tracks are all different from one another. Wow, so far all these recommendations are impressive. 
Keep 'em coming--and if you can add a story--all the better.
Regards
Al   

As I mentioned earlier (I think), one of my boys plays drum kit. He told me today that his band buddies all picked songs to feed into a group music stream to listen to together. He picked this one, from a a new LP he bought on record day--It is from the Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and Friends--"Cool Down" album (2018). The song is called "Elevate"--I think BP was 78 years old when this record came out. IMO this album is very uneven, but BP is still at it and "Elevate" is one of the better numbers on the record. If you haven't heard BP's record "Soul Drums" (1968) it is a beat machine, phenomenal drumming, but the sonics leave quite a bit to be desired. "Elevate" is below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWN73WfFUQU

This side project of theirs with many of the rotating Vulf members (album drops in a week) is far more “funky” than most Vulfpeck proper. 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=72_zXigcOrA

@flynnyrd Thanks for posting the link. Yep, my boys told me this was on the way.

@grey9hound The final album I listened to last night was your recommended "Renewable Energy" by The New Mastersounds. Compared to the other recommendations I have listened to thus far, this felt like a smoother funk record. I enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know about this band.

Cool .I am glad that you liked it .
Try also
Galactic-Vintage Reserve 2003
Galactic -Late For The Future -2000
Soulive- Steady Groovin
Galactic -Coolin Off

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

Thanks for reminding me about the Headhunters LP Frogman.  I have not dusted that LP off and played it in quite a while so it was great hearing it again.

I bought that LP in 1973 and the funk band I was in back in the day played the opening track in our first set in the club days (during my brief but wonderful career as a musician cut short by an accident).

Well, tonight is the night I get to see and hear Tower of Power’s Offical 50th Anniversary concert in Oakland CA with many of the alumni.  Lenny Pickett and Chester Thompson will be there and it will be amazing when they all play together.   Music so fresh and exciting after half a century -  and it never grows old or stale to me.

Cheers,

Frank

Frank, have fun tonight. And please post a review when you return.
Peace
Al

I just discovered this band YESTERDAY!  They been around for yrs but I never heard of them.  Here's the thing, while we all love the Funk and the bands that play it, the truth is the Funk is just a part of what they do.  TOP, EW&F, you name the artist/band, and they all incorporate ballads, shuffles, and a slew of other styles during a concert.  Whether it's Funk, R&B, whatever, it's SOUL music, 1st & foremost!  Ladies & gents, straight outta Oakland, I give you the California Honeydrops!  Man, I luv hearin' new music!;)

https://youtu.be/BWINgViKj-c

Thank Al.  Will do.  And Al?  Thanks again for this thread.

Isn’t this hobby, the end, all about the MUSIC?  

Chazro, great stuff.  Gotta get me soma dat Honeydrippin new (old) music!

Gotta run, it’s off to the Fox Theater to hear the most outrageous Oakland soul/funk band of all!!!  

Funk the Dumb Stuff !! 

@fmpnd On the thread, my pleasure. Less we forget, this thread started by my teenage boys being willing to have me ask y'all what you thought of a band they current follow. BTW my family now calls this thread "old audio funk dudes" I kind of like that. :-) And my bass player son has been playing the Strokeland Superband album, "Kick It Up a Step" for his buddies, thanks to y'all.
Regards
Al 

@chazro California Honeydrops new to me too. (A lot is new to me) I like that cut. Thanks for posting it. Keep 'em coming... 

Less we forget, this thread started by my teenage boys being willing to have me ask y'all what you thought of a band they current follow. BTW my family now calls this thread "old audio funk dudes"

@astewart8944   My recommendation of Galactic was because they are Funk but are also evolving...which is why I suggested them as a bridge group for your sons.

They will likely appreciate Childish Gambino... the "Awaken, My Love!" or Kauai albums.

Remind them that not all of Dad's audio dudes are listening to old funk. : )

@david_ten BTW I'm sitting here right now listening to the Galactic "Crazy Mongoose" CD that arrived today. My boys both sat down earlier and listened with me for a bit. Awesome. On Childish Gambino, they are fans...I will tell them you are cooler than me :-) 
Great post!

This one may make the "old audio funk dudes" cringe, but may be more in your sons’ repertoire:

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. (start with the Psychology or Pleasure albums, if they haven’t listened prior)

BTW, great to hear that you are enjoying ’Crazy Mongoose.’

I'm always fascinated by what Roon picks on the radio when an album finishes. I just finished playing (again) Tower of Power S/T (thanks @shadorne) and Roon selected "Vein Melter" from Herbie Hancock's HeadHunters album relating it to TOP's "Just Another Day." I've included both below so you can decide whether you think they belong together:
Just Another Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2g8nOuTYLo
Vein Melter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZy7v_-ss74  

I just finished listening to Lettuce's (2008) release called Rage!. If you like your bass front and center this is the album for you. I'm a bass fan, so it really worked for me. Although released in the last 10 years this album has a lot of the 1970s built into it IMO.
Happy listening!
Regards
Al

Vulpeck has a wide range, but to me, they definitely lean towards r&b/soul/funk.  A few examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRHQPG1xd9o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWBUnr0F3Zo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4G0nbpLySI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le0BLAEO93g

I hear many influences in Vulfpeck: Hall and Oats, Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, ToP.  If you enjoy those artists, (with a heavy dose of very good bass playing), I'd give them a chance. 

A talented and tight young band, in my opinion.

If you like New Orleans funk with a heavy Hammond B3, check out Pappa Grows Funk.

….OK, I finally got around to listening to Vulfpeck, thx to the last poster.  Wow, I couldn't make it through more than a minute of any of those 4 videos!  They sound like a high school band playing what they think passes for Funk.  Sorry, but I wouldn't even recommend that to a youngster.  Needed to cleanse my pallet with some 'Old Man Funk'!;) 

Hiram Bullock - https://youtu.be/6N83_V5lMlQ
Chaka - https://youtu.be/G8xVIcVjYPM
Calvin Richardson - https://youtu.be/cttOHTXuaZM

…..aahhh, that's better!
  

Vulfpeck I respect ...but no likey...this is more my flavor

Check out SCREAMING HEADLESS TORSOS...jazzy fusion rock FUNK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_A6hYAhG7Q&t=3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayOQ9YCLHE4

….ok, here's just ONE more.  One of the most soulful collaborations this century is when Prince brought Maceo Parker (James Brown) and Larry Graham (Sly, Graham Central Station) into his band.  Fit like a hand in glove!  Larry released one record from this period, this tune's from it and it's greasy!

https://youtu.be/uW2jPj5YEtg

@veroguy Thanks for posting both the links and your thoughts. Welcome to the thread.
@aniwolfe Thanks for contributing.

Last night I listened to Cold Blood's Sisyphus album (1970). It contains "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)", a song written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, and made into a Top 20 Billboard hit in 1969 by Lou Rawls, although first recorded by Mable John in 1966. Others have covered it too. If you're interested in some different takes on this song (funk/soul/blues) see below:
Cold Blood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3-21dGLEEE
Etta James
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxrPG5jYxec
Bonnie Raitt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ac226K5Bqo 
IMO they all work pretty well.

Some exciting new bands listed here. I enjoy funk from EWF to many jazz artists. Here are a few of my favorites;
Eric Lindell- Change in the Weather- This NOLA guy is awesome.
Papa Grows Funk- just pick an album. I prefer the live ones.
Greyboy Allstars- Live- is my favorite. Karl Denson, the sax player who fronts these guys, has several solo albums out with his Tiny Universe band. I saw them a couple of months ago doing Allman Bros. covers and it was fantastic. He plays with the Stones as well. 

@maxnewid Thanks for joining the thread and the listed recommendations. If you listen to something new, please post your thoughts on it.
Regards
Al

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

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

Thinking about this genre further, last night I pulled out Soul Summit- Live at Berk’s Place. This is another Karl Denson project that is great party music featuring the old Stax sound. Here is a youtube clip of the highlights
https://youtu.be/jw6RpySsyW4

A few more oldies but moldies!;)
The Rascals - https://youtu.be/nm9ShxXikfw  - (written, sung and holding a funk guitar masterclass; the amazing Buzz Feiten!)
Sons of Champlin - https://youtu.be/jNvfR74jnFM
...and one that may or may not fit here but...saw this band many times back in the day but never saw this video.  Excuse the poor video quality, but the band's having a blast and playing their butts off.  Turn it Up!!!;)
The Brecker Bros. - https://youtu.be/4RgHYcmK_-g

@frogman Wow! Thanks for the great link. The drumming is fantastic. Denard was in the pocket (ala Steve Jordan) for more than 5 minutes before "Gonna give it the drummer..." gets rolling. Skills on display. And the bass player ain't bad either. 
@maxnewid Thanks for the link. Stax! I recommend the Rock and Blues Museum in Memphis for a partial Stax history lesson. I understand Stax has its own museum but I haven't been to it. I remember listening to Alex Chilton's "Big Star" years ago and thinking this must be where Stax lost its way. I happen to like Big Star--but definitely not the Stax sound.
@chazro Man, you are funk machine. BTW you can always post Brecker Bros. IMO

My 17 year old bass player asked me to post this for the consumption of the old funk guys. It is Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles. Most you probably know that Cory Henry also plays with Snarky Puppy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G8jNEbi4YU

Nice!  I'll see you and raise you some music from Snarky Puppy's OTHER keyboard player; Shaun Martin!

Promo - https://youtu.be/aDHaw6L948o

Full tune - https://youtu.be/-TBYB0uC2LQ

a bonus!;) - https://youtu.be/OXa645HKjKc

I'll keep hangin' on this thread til it's gone!  Too bad you didn't call it Funk For Aficianados!;)

@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 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

@shadorne Since you have so many Maceo Parker albums, please list your top 5 favorite albums you would recommend be in every funk collection. I appreciate it. And thanks for continuing to feed this thread with good stuff!
@chazro Keep it coming! You are helping make this thread a fun daily learning and listening experience.
Regards
Al

@chazro I just received the CD "Like You Mean It" by The California Honeydrops. It is a cool record, that based on what others have recommended, I think many who have posted on this thread would enjoy. I recommend others check it out.

@aniwolfe Thanks for the Screaming Headless Torsos links. Those are two very different links! :-) JoJo Mayer knocking out the drumming--he is young in that video--fast sticks.

OK old funk dudes, my teen drummer asked me to post this video which features one of his favorite drummers (DW). If this ain't funk, nothing is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RS5RsSPssw

Been a huge Dave Weckl fan for decades!  Here's another tune from the same record; Convergence.  A different style of Funk, it's up to the listener to decide which is 'funkier'!;)

https://youtu.be/BFcmxjz38SQ

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