Archive for the ‘Funk Friday’ Category

Funk Friday: T Bird and The Breaks

Posted: May 17, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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Funk...and then some

Funk…and then some

Yes, I know we already had one dose of funk this week, but I really think you can never have too much funk. Besides, since I first heard this band, I have not been able to get enough of T-Bird and The Breaks.

My introduction to this band came when I was doing a search on Bandcamp for drinking songs. That led me to the song “Somebody Had a Drinking Problem.” Now this song isn’t strictly a funk song. It’s leans more toward R&B and doo-wop, but I’ll say this much. It’s not easy to find a drinking song more catchy than this one. In any case, that led me to explore more of this band.

That further explanation led me to some excellent funk like Never Get out of This Funk Alive. This album features the essentials of funk: horns, bass, and some excellent organ. But that’s not all! No, loyal reader, it also has some great vocals. T Bird’s vocals are a raspy growl that remind me of Dr. John and Jon Spencer. If you want a really good example of the funk this band lays down, check out “Spread the Love.” It’s a pretty easygoing melody, but it has some serious funk. This is one where the vocals really remind me of Dr. John.

T Bird and The Breaks is not a funk band exclusively. The band’s sounds also include soul, and R&B, and hip-hop. That being said, there is enough funk in  this band to get you to move your backside and get sweaty…particularly on Never Get out of This Funk Alive.

Funk Friday: Sky Hi

Posted: May 10, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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Addictive funk

Addictive funk

It’s funny how sometimes music just comes to you. I was looking for someone for our weekly interview when I got a message from the good folks at GED Soul Records sent a message letting me know about a new EP from Sky Hi. Well, it didn’t take me long to figure out that this would be a good band to feature for Funk Friday.

The thing with a good funk (or soul) band is that it doesn’t take me long to get hooked. That is definitely the case with this band. The horns combined with the bass line at the beginning of the first song “Reality Check” had me hooked for sure. Then I got hit with the Booker T-style keyboards in “Numero Uno” and well, I’m not saying I was ready to get a Sky Hi tattoo, but I wouldn’t say I’ve ruled it out either.

“Funk til Dawn” only added to my affinity for this band. The intro sounds like something that would happen if Stevie Wonder wrote a song for a blaxploitation film about a badass undercover cop or private dick. 

Sky Hi has a really clean and really funky sound. The horns and bass lines are addictive and the organ helps give it an-old time feel. Just listening to this, you’d probably guess that it was released sometime in the 70s and not earlier this week. The only trouble with this EP is that it’s too short. You get hooked from the beginning and you groove to it, and then before you know it, it’s over. I get that an EP is supposed to whet your appetite and leave you wanting more of the band. Reality Check succeeds in leaving me wanting more of Sky Hi…as soon as I can get it.

 

Funk Friday: The Hornets

Posted: May 3, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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Instrumental funk to get you grooving

Instrumental funk to get you grooving

I came across this band when I went to ReverbNation and searched for funk bands in the UK. That led me to the band’s Facebook page, where it has several live recordings available for your listening pleasure.

Now, it’s no secret that the backbone of any good funk band is the rhythm section. The first song I heard from this band is “Burning Spear” and let me tell you that if you’re looking for excellent rhythms, this is a good example. The interesting thing about this song is that aside from the rhythm section, the primary instrument is the flute. At the end of the song, the horns come in and round out the big sound.

If you really want a good sample of what the horns bring to the band, check out “Got Myself a Good Man.” The horns in this are amazing. Oh and the drum solo isn’t bad either.

If you’re looking for funk you can sing along with, you’ll have to keep looking. Either that or make up your own lyrics. Let’s face it. That would be pretty entertaining. In any case, this band plays legitimate instrumental funk that will get you movin’ and groovin’. Whether it’s for a party you’re hosting, or just for you to dance by yourself in your living room, The Hornets is a good band to get to know.

Funk Friday: The Black Honkeys

Posted: April 26, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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Baby-making funk

Baby-making funk

You know how some funk just kind of slaps you in the face? From the first notes, it grabs you and keeps you moving until the song ends. And then there is some funk that isn’t quite as uptempo but still works a pretty good groove. The first song (“The Funky Word“) I heard from The Black Honkeys falls into the latter category. It will get you moving for sure, but the movement will be more in your hips than in your feet. I think it’s fair to say that this song will get you in the mood to do “the devil’s business” as John Goodman’s character says in Raising Arizona.

The next song (“Let Me into Your Party”) on the band’s ReverbNation is a little more uptempo but not any less dirty. Trust me, I’m not calling this dirty like it’s a bad thing. This tune reminds me a bit of Sly and the Family Stone. ”Foxy Brown” a great soul song. This sounds like what would have happened if Chris Robinson performed guest vocals in a band where Booker T played organ for Curtis Mayfield.

“Goodman” is a real curve ball. After setting you up with some excellent funk and soul, the band comes at you with this song that sounds like old Rolling Stones. No, I’m not kidding. It’s soulful, it’s bluesy. It’s rock n roll, baby! Or more to the point, it’s rock n soul, baby!

To return to how I started this post…some funk gets people to the dance floor and some funk gets people to the bed (or broom closet, or…use your imagination). This is funk that gets people to the bed. And if baby-making funk is wrong, The Black Honkeys don’t wanna be right.

Funk Friday: CSC Funk Band

Posted: April 19, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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Funkincense will be available on Record Store Day (20 April)

Funkincense will be available on Record Store Day (20 April)

When you’re a sound hound (and I’m just going to assume you are since you’re reading this) finding some cool new music is always a good thing. It’s even better when the music just comes to you. As I mentioned last week, a good funk band is not always easy to find. Well, as it turns out, I didn’t have to seek out the CSC Funk Band. This album was delivered to me by the band’s publicist…and a good one it is.

The opening track “Catcher’s Mitt” is described in the promo materials as cop-show funk. That’s a pretty good description. Like the video for “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys, this song (especially the beginning) brings to mind guys with mustaches wearing mirrored sunglasses, short sleeve shirts, ties, and polyester pants. That would be cool enough, but the guitar in this song has a definite Funkadelic vibe.

Some funk will make you get all sweaty while you shake whatcha got. Other funk is good for putting you in a more mellow mood. “Make Your Mind Up” falls into the latter category. When you (like The Dude) find your thinking getting too uptight, this is a good song to get you back in the groove. In fact, most of the album is like that. This isn’t necessarily dance-floor funk although you will still want to turn up the volume. This is funk for chilling in your bungalow. Sit back, let the music surround you, and get back in the groove, baby.

Funkincense (Electric Cowbell Records, 2013) will be available Saturday for Record Store Day.

Funk Friday: Redtenbacher’s Funkestra

Posted: April 12, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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Music for your next house party

Music for your next house party

Sometimes, loyal reader, I have a hard time finding a band for your Funk Friday. This week, I didn’t have any such problem. A search for UK funk bands on ReverbNation led me to Redtenbacher’s Funkestra. In addition to the high-energy tunes, this band also drew me in with the first paragraph of its bio.

Like funk? Well, you’re probably a fan of polyester bell bottoms, oversize Bootsy Collins sunglasses and hair picks. You probably live in Brooklyn or London’s East End and have a healthy but romanticized reverence for all things from past eras.

I don’t have to tell you that I like the funk (thus Funk Friday being a long-time fixture here) even though I don’t live in Brooklyn or London’s East End. I don’t own any bell bottoms, but I’m not opposed to them. And well, what’s not to love about Bootsy Collins?

Stefan Redtenbacher grew up in Austria and as he listened to artists like Maceo Parker, he was drawn to the bass (who isn’t?). That was an excellent choice for him. No one in this band is a slouch by any means, but the bass lines in these tunes sure do jump out at me. Granted, that’s not the only aspect of the band that jumps out at me. Just listen to “Bow Wow.” This is the very definition of a tight arrangement. This song has layers of sound that seem to come at you from every direction. And if this tune doesn’t get you moving, you’re probably some dour old soul that sucks on lemons and yells at kids to get off your lawn.

Now, I could sit here and tell you all about this band, but I think you would be much better served just listening for yourself. This is music for a house party. I guarantee your guests won’t be looking toward the door if you put this band on. They’ll probably wonder how much of this funk goodness you have. Do yourself a favor and add some house party music to your Friday.

 

 

 

Funk Friday: Afrolicious

Posted: April 5, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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I’m not going to lie to you, loyal reader. Finding good funk bands isn’t always an easy task. Mind you, it is a labor of love, but I wade through a lot of stuff tagged as funk that just doesn’t seem like what I know as funk. So when I do some searching and come across something like Afrolicious…well, it’s like my own “Eureka!” moment.

Now, I will say that the new Afrolicious album bears a lot of tags on Bandcamp. That always makes me wary. But I listened to a couple songs and the first couple songs I heard definitely fit the bill for Funk Friday. Both “California Dreaming” and “Revolution” are the kind of song that you want playing on your stereo when you want to get people moving. “California Dreaming” especially (listen to those keyboards) is reminiscent of old P-Funk.

Even before hearing any of the vocals, “Never Let No One” has a real Afrofunk feel to it. From that bright but muted guitar sound to the rhythms to the horns, this song is pure Afrofunk goodness.

There is some funk out there that can only be described as baby-making music. You can probably think of a couple songs that fit that. I know I can. “Pleasure Power” is baby-making music. The song begins with a melody that brings Curtis Mayfield to mind and some sultry vocals. And if that weren’t enough, there is something in that bass line that will keep you moving those hips.

 

 

Funk Friday: The Sidetones

Posted: March 8, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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this French band knows how to get funky

this French band knows how to get funky

I’ve stated before how much I dig the universal appeal of music. In particular I am interested in how music travels to the point that you have a funk band from Lyon, France.

The Sidetones reached out to me to let me know about the new EP. I was immediately captured by the funky sound of this band. The first song I heard (“How Sweet”) has an old-school funk sound. The organ reminds me of Booker T, the rhythms will definitely get your backside moving. And then there is the vocalist who sings easy but powerfully. What I mean is that she has a strong voice but she doesn’t strain.

“Welcome in the Year” is an amazing song with layers of sound. Take some organ that sounds like Stevie Wonder, a drum beat that moves the song along, a rumbling bass, some tribal-sounding percussion and some hot female lead vocals and this song is the result. It not only has layers of sound, but also furious energy. If you dance to this one (and I have a feeling you will), you’ll need a minute or two to catch your breath when you’re done.

The Sidetones released an EP earlier this week. The only thing wrong with it is that it is too short. You groove to the album and before you know it, it’s over. I’ll say this though; the EP definitely leaves you wanting more. If you are a fan of old-school funk, you need this EP in your collection.

Related: Booker T on jamming with Dylan

Funk Friday: Gang of Thieves

Posted: March 1, 2013 in Funk Friday, new music
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This and two other Gang of Thieves albums are available on Bandcamp

This and two other Gang of Thieves albums are available on Bandcamp

Gang of Thieves is a band that found us via our Funk Friday feature of Funkwagon. The bassist introduced himself by saying that the band has done several DIY tours and has self-released an album every year since 2010. All of those things are pretty solid in our book. We love DIY tours and releases. And funk of course.

It doesn’t take long to catch the groove this band lays down. The first song I heard on ReverbNation is called “Sexy Star Circus.” Like any good funk band, the bass is what really gets you moving your head. I know it’s hard to compare anyone to Bootsy Collins, but Tobin Salas does a pretty good job of capturing Bootsy’s sound. And you know what that means. That means without even thinking about it, you’re shaking whatever booty you got.

You know how Funkadelic kind of specializes in baby-making music? Like in “Mommy, What’s a Funkadelic?” among other songs. Well, Gang of Thieves dips into that groovin’ baby-making sound in “Dinosaur Sandwich Party.” Oh I know it’s not the sexiest name for a song, but if you are looking for some music to get your groove on, give this song a try. If it doesn’t get your prospective partner in the mood, well…I guess there are pills for that sort of thing.

There is a healthy amount of rock in this band too like in “Gunslinger”), but this band is more interested in getting your hips moving than your fists. The best thing I can say about this band is, “Get you some!”

Funk Friday: The Snitch Sessions

Posted: February 22, 2013 in Funk Friday
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Get your groove on...and dance too

Get your groove on…and dance too

A search of Twitter for the hashtag #Funk led me to this band whose Twitter tagline is: “Bringing crappy sounding funk to the people.” Let me tell you something, loyal reader. There is nothing crappy about this band’s sound. Don’t just take my word for it though. Check out “Robert Rubberman.” If this song doesn’t get you moving, check for a pulse.

Oh, and after you listen to that, listen to “Filthy Red Dress.” This is a tune that will get people sweaty on a dance floor.

I should mention that this band is (not surprisingly) from London. There seems to be a ton of good funk in the U.K. which leads me as a citizen of the U.S. to ask, “Where is all the good American funk?’ OK, so that’s going a little overboard. There is some good American funk to be sure, but there seems to be a real concentration of good funk in the U.K.

This is just good instrumental funk. I’d love to write more about this, but frankly, the sound on my laptop is terrible. It keeps blinking in and out and makes everything sound like a terrible techno remix. Enjoy The Snitch Sessions.

 

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