Who is your all time favourite funk group

**KoolChris** · February 9th, 2007, 07:17 AM

Pretty good selection indeed! Early Cameo ("We all know who we are"!!!), Mandrill anytime. From the top of my head, I would have added most Earth, Wind & Fire's 1970s work, and Sir Joe Quarterman & Free Soul. Nothing to throw away there!

About Sound Experience, what do you think of their "Boogie Woogie" album, on Buddah? I'm pretty sure I went through the tracks pretty quickly at the monthly Pasadena City College flea market a while back, but didn't pick it up, because I wasn't really impressed. But I may have overlooked it in haste. Is it as good as the previous LPs?

**FranceJoliFan** · February 9th, 2007, 11:21 AM

Visuals: Great album covers!

I'll see if I can hunt these down. Most of the used record stores here (in Seattle, WA) have started selling vinyl again. Many of them had eliminated it. Selling cd's only. But now there's vinyl all over the place. So it's exciting to go shopping again. (And even better when I get a good deal.)

So thanks for all the info, Visuals. Can't wait to hear some of these guys.

**eddie** · February 9th, 2007, 09:19 PM

That Exit 9 is a new name for me but the samples sound interesting. I've heard of Rasputin Stash on a few of my compilations but they were a little bit too rock oriented for me and that reissue disc has become extremely rare and I'm not busting the bank for it.

**visuals** · February 9th, 2007, 11:33 PM

Originally Written by KoolChris

Pretty good selection indeed! Early Cameo ("We all know who we are"!!!), Mandrill anytime. From the top of my head, I would have added most Earth, Wind & Fire's 1970s work, and Sir Joe Quarterman & Free Soul. Nothing to throw away there!

About Sound Experience, what do you think of their "Boogie Woogie" album, on Buddah? I'm pretty sure I went through the tracks pretty quickly at the monthly Pasadena City College flea market a while back, but didn't pick it up, because I wasn't really impressed. But I may have overlooked it in haste. Is it as good as the previous LPs?

KoolChris: "We All Know Who We Are" is my favorite Cameo album hands down. Cardiac Arrest comes in 2nd. Larry & Co. were definately on top of the creative game during this period. Heavy funk, soul, early disco and great balladry on the lush "Why Have I Lost You" makes this a Cameo MUST HAVE in my opinion. I am also big on EW&F's 70's work and Mandrill, Joe Quarterman & Free Soul...good choices
In regards of the "Boogie Woogie" album, You really didn't miss much by passing it up. To answer your question, NO Boogie Woogie is not as good as "Don't Fight The Feeling" but it did had it's moments. (Providing you already own the "Soulville Collection" cd,) Every song from the Boogie Woogie" album is included on the Soulville Collection except #4 -"Got to Keep on the Move". I got lucky and discovered my 'Boogie Woogie" vinyl at the flea market last year for a good price. It was a good find for my vinyl section but I guess my reason for not being too excited was that I had already heard the songs from the cd.:icon_redface:

Originally Written by FranceJoliFan

Visuals: Great album covers!

I'll see if I can hunt these down. Most of the used record stores here (in Seattle, WA) have started selling vinyl again. Many of them had eliminated it. Selling cd's only. But now there's vinyl all over the place. So it's exciting to go shopping again. (And even better when I get a good deal.)

So thanks for all the info, Visuals. Can't wait to hear some of these guys.

Glad you liked the covers. I have a thing for album art too. I have also noticed the sudden availability of good quality vinyl...On the net and locally. I take advantage of it any time I can....Buy now or pay later I always say. It often amazes me how cheap, plentiful and available an item is at one moment and the minuite it gets deleted the prices skyrocket. That's usually when I go vinyl unless I see some good deals that I can't pass up.

Originally Written by eddie

That Exit 9 is a new name for me but the samples sound interesting. I've heard of Rasputin Stash on a few of my compilations but they were a little bit too rock oriented for me and that reissue disc has become extremely rare and I'm not busting the bank for it.

Exit 9 was a nice addition to my collection. Like I said earlier, aside from the fact that it seemed short and left me wanting more, this was otherwise a great find of funk for me. It was kind of pricey when I bought it a few years ago though:icon_rolleyes:
In regards of the Rasputin Stash reissue, I totally agree. I got mine used from Germany for about 6 dollars plus shipping back in 03' or maybe 04. Then it popped up a lot over the next few years...usually in the 9.99-12.99 price range. Now I see it going for 80 bucks on amazon for a used copy.
I'll admit that while the 71' self titled album on Cotillion was a little rock edged (which I usually don't mind at all,) 1974's "Devil Made Me Do It" reissue was much smoother and had that early 70's blaploitation feel with the Curtom signatures all over it. Most notable are the violins, piano and strings. Definately more funk oriented with a couple ballads that I feel were better than the ballad styled cuts that some mainstream artists were dropping at the time. It was also good to have the 10 unreleased tracks from the groups final years on cd as well. Good stuff in my opinion.

**KoolChris** · February 11th, 2007, 09:08 AM

Originally Written by visuals

KoolChris: "We All Know Who We Are" is my favorite Cameo album hands down. Cardiac Arrest comes in 2nd. Larry & Co. were definately on top of the creative game during this period. Heavy funk, soul, early disco and great balladry on the lush "Why Have I Lost You" makes this a Cameo MUST HAVE in my opinion. I am also big on EW&F's 70's work and Mandrill, Joe Quarterman & Free Soul...good choices

2nd down would have to be "Secret Omen". No poor tracks there, and the incredible version of "Find my way", in a quite different approach from the shorter, earlier version on "Cardiac Arrest". I just love the way it's delivered throughout, especially at the end, with what seems like an entire symphonic orchestra getting off. Wow! "Ugly Ego is pretty remarkable as well, with "I'll be with you", and "Insane"...
I also forgot to mention Brick's work; the 2nd S/T album is pure genius in every track, from beginning to end. "good High" is also great with "Good High" and "Dazz".
I also overlooked Side Effect, War, Melvin Van Peebles, etc... but I'll stop now before I take up the whole page...

Originally Written by visuals

In regards of the "Boogie Woogie" album, You really didn't miss much by passing it up. To answer your question, NO Boogie Woogie is not as good as "Don't Fight The Feeling" but it did had it's moments.

I managed to hear the title track of "Boogie Woogie" ...not bad at all. Actually, pretty good; I think I'll go get it anyway...

**Sammy48** · December 6th, 2008, 01:09 AM

Growing up in the Bay Area, I remember cruising to Faze-O's (Riding High, Good Thang) and jumpin to Zapp's (More Bounce to the ounce)

But one group that stands out is BRICK. Jams like (We don't want to sit down, Good High, Dazz/Dusic, and Ain't gonna hurt nobody to get on down). Brick gets played alot around here to this day.

Favorite tune by Pleasure is (Living without you) off the Special things album.

Other groups:
Barkays
Michael Henderson
Con Funk Shun
Brother's Johnson
Lakeside
Brides of Funkenstein / Parlet
Mutiny
George Duke

Hope you all have a funky New Year.

**Kinetic** · December 7th, 2008, 10:23 PM

The greatest funk group of all time is and has always been....

**STEPHEN L FREEMAN** · December 23rd, 2008, 04:00 AM

Depending on how broad the term "Funk" is being considered...

Disco funk: Crown Heights Affair
(almost the entire 1st LP, including both versions of "Foxy" / "Foxy Lady")

Dance funk: Cloud One
(the entire "Atmosphere Strut" LP)

Raw funk: Funkadelic
(pre-Parliament merger, "I Wanna Know If It's Good To You Baby")

**willowmarsh** · January 10th, 2009, 03:45 AM

Everything by James Brown:"Funky President" "There It IS" The Payback, ""I Got That Feelin'" ""Make It Funky" "Give It Up Or Turn It Loose" "Sex Machine" "Get On The Goodfoot"...but a lot of his obscure stuff is great too...try for the early and mid 1970's stuff........Stylistics "I Found Sunshine" Kool and the Gang"Good Times" Billy Cobham "Red Baron" "Stratus" "Moon Germs" Calvin Scott "Funky Ways" The Meters"Africa" "Sissy Strut" "People Say" "Hey Pocky Way"

**FranceJoliFan** · January 11th, 2009, 11:00 AM

Did anyone mention the Isley Brothers? I Wanna Be With You is a funky favorite.

**SandraDee** · January 11th, 2009, 02:33 PM

I think my all-time favourite funk group has got to be the Brothers Johnson (probably 'cos Quincy Jones is my favourite producer of all-time.)

I listen to their LPs all the time & never get tired of them.

**Mr.Ree** · January 11th, 2009, 07:48 PM

Originally Written by Sammy48

Growing up in the Bay Area, I remember cruising to Faze-O's (Riding High, Good Thang) and jumpin to Zapp's (More Bounce to the ounce)

But one group that stands out is BRICK. Jams like (We don't want to sit down, Good High, Dazz/Dusic, and Ain't gonna hurt nobody to get on down). Brick gets played alot around here to this day.

Favorite tune by Pleasure is (Living without you) off the Special things album.

Other groups:
Barkays
Michael Henderson
Con Funk Shun
Brother's Johnson
Lakeside
Brides of Funkenstein / Parlet
Mutiny
George Duke

Hope you all have a funky New Year.

I always liked Brick also...."Dazz", classic that it is, was a bit overplayed to my ears. My favorite Brick song was the rock oriented (and now tricky to find) "Stone Heart". And the Dazz Band's "Keep It Live!" is a lively synth funker I highly recommend (it reminds me a bit of One Way's "Cutie Pie")

**Mr.Ree** · January 11th, 2009, 09:16 PM

my favorite was and still is the Isley Brothers. One of the most imitated and sampled groups in music history, and most of their music was completely self written performed and produced. They seldom used (or needed) big name producers or session players (though they occasionally used both). Second would be Cameo.

**FranceJoliFan** · January 14th, 2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Written by Mr.Ree

my favorite was and still is the Isley Brothers.

Glad to see another Isley Brothers fan. They went through many phases and sounds. But my favorites are I Wanna Be With You, It's A Disco Night, and Inside You. Inside You wasn't a big hit. But it still sounds great. Have you heard the 12" single?

**KBallenger53** · January 30th, 2009, 03:42 PM

Originally Written by zeca azevedo

when it comes to f-u-n-k, funk, the best group ever is the j.b.'s, no doubt about it. Under the direction of the godfather of funk himself, james brown, these guys produced the best grooves i heard in my entire lifetime. And yes, i know, there's a lot of j.b.'s formations, a lot of musicians recorded with the band. Here are some names:

St. Clair pinckney, pee wee ellis, maceo parker, johnny griggs, clyde stubblefield, fred thomas, fred wesley, clayton "chicken" gunnells, darryl "hasaan" jamison, robert coleman, russell crimes, jimmy nolen, hearlon "cheese" martin, charles sherrell, jerone "jasaan sanford" melson, isiah "ike" oakley, hearlon "cheese" martin, john "jabo" starks, bootsy collins, phelps collins and...

James brown, of course!

If you want a proof of what i'm saying, just listen to the double cd funky good time: The anthology for a start.

Peace,

zeca azevedo, layin' down the funky beat

amen my brother, aaammmeeennn!!!'nuff said

**Mr.Ree** · February 2nd, 2009, 06:30 PM

Originally Written by originalbigm

My vote would have to go to Parliament who were truly the masters of funk through the seventies.

Flashlight

Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)

P-Funk(Wants To Get FunkedUp)

Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication

These cats knew how to throw it down!

I also liked Parliament but their albums often had long, meandering songs on them that I didn't understand or particularly enjoy. But I loved their songs that were compact and hooky, like "Do That Stuff" and most of their hits. I would have listed them behind the Isleys and Cameo.

**Larsdorders** · February 10th, 2009, 06:53 PM

Unless I missed it, only one vote for the Meters of "Cissy Strut" and "Look A PY PY" fame??
I Was lucky enough to collect just about all their early JOSIE stuff, and I saw them support the Stones on a mid 70's tour.
Cissy Strut was the track that got me diving DEEP into the funk.
First heard it when local club DJ "Jeff Chinnery" (sp) (The Judge) played it back in 1970.

Was also hugely into the Clinton/P-Funk thing, but when I went to see them live at the Hammersmith Odeon they were crap. GC's voice had gone that night, and it was a huge let-down.

**remicks** · December 21st, 2011, 12:39 AM

*****
Toward the top for me :

The Isley Bros.

(Were The Isleys more of a West Coast phenomenon???)

UK Disco Top 20 – July 24, 1976

7/24 7/17 Artist - Title - Label
01 01 Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free - Warner Bros.
02 05 Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Rocket
03 02 Real Thing - You To Me Are Everything - Pye
04 03 Bryan Ferry - Let's Stick Together - Island
05 06 Hundred Ton & A Feather - It Only Takes A Minute - UK
06 16 Tavares - Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel - Capitol
07 10 Manhattans - Kiss And Say Goodbye - CBS
08 NE Isley Brothers - Harvest For The World - Epic
09 04 War - Me And Baby Brother - Island
10 14 Dr. Hook - A Little Bit More - Capitol

shootyourshot

I'm most envious that this did so well in the UK :

HARVEST FOR THE WORLD (#9 Billboard SOUL - 1976)

Song's too short. If only they'd discoed up a version with a percussive break and continued that Spinners/ Phillip Wynn styled rant of the last minute for a lot longer .
______________________

This one by them always intrigued me from 1969 :

MY LOVE IS LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER

was any one else doing anything that sparse and funky at the end of the sixties???
_________________________

One of my favorites by them:

LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH (#3 Billboard SOUL - 1971)

____________________

One more :

CHOOSEY LOVER (#6 Billboard Soul - 1983)
\

******

(thread resurrected in honor of originalbigm)