If You Like Funk: Check Out Vulfpeck
Live! One Great Night - Steve Smith & Vital Information 1st track... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h0YuozbqIU&list=PLoIs9idjTFlBJSTHD-xiDf395qBaqUpoZ @astewart8944 So I had to check out the Brian Culbertson. Found Live from the Inside on Tidal and now can’t shut it off! Smooth or not, commercial or otherwise - these guys have SCARY chops. It do swing. THANKS (I think :-). |
...and I'll admit to being an unapologetic fanboy of Jon Cleary! Here's a few from his latest; Dyna-Mite! https://youtu.be/oOJUpo9y4hA ...and this one ain't got a lick of Funk, but SO much soul, I really love this tune. https://youtu.be/GEYQAJW889g |
What once was old, is new again! TOP 2018!!! Even though most of the original band has moved on, as long as David Garibaldi (drums) and Francis Rocco Prestia (bass) are holding down the rhythm section, I'm in!!!;) https://youtu.be/H1S1hzVVGtI https://youtu.be/O7w7lylFJMk https://youtu.be/OmOs7V2gNBM (Funk's so thick yr brain's gotta catch up to it!;)) |
Which then lead me to this Brian Culbertson piece where he plays some tasty trombone and pass offs with the sax player that are worth hearing. Bass player isn't shy either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCopcNpzc60 |
So, after listening to @chazro's latest posts, I scanned the right column recommends and came across this link--four keyboards, five horns (I think), drum kit, electric bass and guitar--these folks are having fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCopcNpzc60 |
@chazro Thanks for the post. From the first post we now know MM can dance too! I noticed that the video never shows LW dance moves. Funny. Second post--that is great smooth groove--Thumb way up! I'm going to have to buy that one. On Marcus Miller, do you happen to know if the new release is available in vinyl? Back in 2016 I couldn't find vinyl Afrodeezia in the states and ending up buying it from a guy in Africa. |
Good to see we ain't done yet!;) Here's the J-boys (Jamaica, as in Queens Jamaica, NY!) feat. Lenny White and Marcus Miller. Watch til the end if ya wanna see Marcus REALLY get down! https://youtu.be/WXMNddc2dIc and here's Marcus 28 yrs later, he just released this last month! https://youtu.be/Nf6GTKHiAlw |
Great thread! I’ve been a massive funk fan for as long as I can remember (even played for many years in a funk/disco tribute band 16 members strong, 5 singers, full horn section...man that was fun!). Anyway, I like funky music of every description, every era. But for me, in my world, there is a Funk Event Horizon. All that came before was leading up to it, all that came after came out of it. I refer to Zapp’s More Bounce To The Ounce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK6wOG_aDl8 For me it is the best pure, and hardest slamming bass/drumline of all time. It could loop for eternity and never stop moving my butt. The guitar playing is awesome, but it’s put over the edge by Roger’s Talkbox performance, which are the funkiest riffs I’ve ever heard. I swear I must have written 5 funk songs just ripping off bits of Roger’s Talkbox improvising because it’s so hooky. |
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 |
@frogman I appreciate your viewpoint and I think you are on to something that flavors several posts regarding, the label "funk." Clearly, I accept a broader definition than others, but honestly as long as we are sharing music I'm good with any post that furthers the conversation and provides an example. Keep it coming. Oh and that Jaco P. post--love it. My bass player son spins the vinyl Jaco Pastorius S/T routinely. JP is one of his bass idols (the other is Marcus Miller). (My kids follow real deal quality players--and they crawl all over new music too that is not has "technical.") @grey9hound Thanks for the new Wulfpeck link and the DLO3 link too. @shadorne Great AWB Live link--everybody should love this one. |
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 |
Some Funk/Fusion! Rock Candy Funk Party (Joe Bonamassa's Funk band!) https://youtu.be/L5CgdTtGv8o Mike Gotthard (feat. drummer of the hour; Gergo Borlai) https://youtu.be/ZsBRZDBAoAo Adam Holzman (Mile's Davis LAST Keyboard player!) https://youtu.be/gCTDb98SwSM Marcus playing TOP! (puttin' on a funk bass clinic!) https://youtu.be/zaHKL3uOkLc |
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 |
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 |
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 |
@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 |
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 |
@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 |
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!;) |
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 |
@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 |
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 |
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 |
Chazro’s mention of Maceo Parker made me think of this. Check out drummer Kenwood Dennard! https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFEE0078A61BE5C06 |
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. |
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. |
….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 |
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, 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! |
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. |
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 |
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. : ) |
@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 |
