The Music
In Funk, melody and harmony are de- emphasized while a strong rhythmic groove of bass and drums are in the foreground. Funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord, as different from R&B and Soul which are built on chord progressions. Funk typically consists of a complex groove with such rhythm instruments as electric guitars, bass, organs, and drums playing interlocking rhythms. Sometimes, Funk bands incorporate horn sections of several saxophones, trumpets, and in some cases, trombones, which play rhythmic "hits". Many of the most famous Funk bands also played Disco and Soul extensively. Elements of Funk have been used extensively in Hip Hop, House music, and Drum and Bass. It is also considered the main influence of Go-Go, a subgenre associated with Funk. By using strong guitar riffs and bass lines, Funk creates an 'intense' groove. Like Motown recordings, Funk songs used bass lines as the centerpiece of songs. The bass was used to a drum-like rhythmic role - a distinctive element of Funk. Guitarists typically play in a percussive manner style, often using the wah-wah sound effect and muting the notes in their riffs to create a percussive sound. One major influence on the emergence of Funk, of course, was Jimmy Hendrix. |
Parliament Funkadelic -
One Nation Under A Groove Jimi Hendrix - Foxy Lady
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The Term Originally, in the music world, 'Funk' meant a bad smell, some say akin to bad body odour. But in the US music world, it came to mean a certain integrity, and sense of strong energy. Hence 'Funk' in American Jazz parlance can mean earthiness, a return to fundamentals". It is also thought African-American Jazz musicians originally applied the term to music with a slow, mellow groove. It soon evolved to mean music with a rather hard-driving, insistent rhythm, implying a more carnal quality. This early form of Funk set the pattern for later musicians. Funk was identified as slow, "sexy", loose, riff-oriented and danceable. |
Parliament Funkadelic - Bring The Funk
Parliament Funkadelic - Dr Funkenstein
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Isaac Hayes - Shaft
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Fatboy Slim - Funk Soul Brother
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Best of Funk
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James Brown & The Famous Flames
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Brown developed a signature groove that emphasized the downbeat - with a heavy emphasis on the first beat of every measure to etch his distinctive sound, rather than the backbeat typifying African American music. |
Bootsy Collins - Stretching Out
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James Brown - Cold Sweat
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James Brown - Sex Machine
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James Brown - Mother Popcorn
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Earth, Wind & Fire - Boogie Wonderland
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Prince - Cream
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Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
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Barry White - Can't Get Enough Of Your Love
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Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman
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Rose Royce - Car Wash
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