The Best of West Coast Funk Music
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A blog dedicated to the best of west coast funk music. Find the latest funk tracks, albums, and artists straight out of California.
West Coast Funk Music
The West Coast of the United States has a long history of producing some of the best funk music in the world. From the early days of Parliament-Funkadelic to the modern sounds of Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar, the West Coast has always had a strong funk presence. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best West Coast funk bands of all time.
The Origins of West Coast Funk Music
West Coast funk is a style of funk music that originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The style is characterized by its use of heavy bass and drums, as well as its focus on groove and rhythm. Many of the biggest names in West Coast funk were part of the band Parliament-Funkadelic, which was led by George Clinton. Other notable artists include Bootsy Collins, Sly and the Family Stone, and Funkadelic.
The style of music known as West Coast funk was created by a number of different factors. First, it was influenced by the soul and R&B music that was coming out of the American South at the time. Second, it was influenced by psychedelic rock, which was popular on the West Coast of the United States. Finally, it was also influenced by the African-American music traditions of New Orleans and other parts of the country.
The Sound of West Coast Funk Music
West Coast funk is a style of Funk that originated in the 1970s with bands like War and Parliament-Funkadelic. It is characterized by a heavy use of horns, keyboards, and bass guitar, as well as a focus on groove and rhythm. West Coast funk also often includes elements of Jazz, Soul, and R&B.
The sound of West Coast funk was heavily influence by the P-Funk bands of the 1970s, as well as James Brown and other Funk pioneers. In the 1990s, West Coast funk was revived by groups like Snoop Dogg’s Dogg Pound and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic. Today, the sound of West Coast funk can be heard in the music of artists like Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Anderson .Paak, and Thundercat.
The Artists of West Coast Funk Music
There are many different artists associated with West Coast Funk Music. Some of the most popular and well-known artists include Parliament-Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone, Tower of Power, War, and the Gap Band. These artists were all highly influential in the development and popularity of West Coast Funk Music.
Parliament-Funkadelic was a group that was highly influential in the development of West Coast Funk Music. The group was formed in the early 1970s by George Clinton. Parliament-Funkadelic was known for their unique sound that blended elements of funk, soul, rock, and R&B. The group was very successful in the 1970s and 1980s and their music continues to be popular today.
Sly and the Family Stone was another group that was highly influential in the development of West Coast Funk Music. The group was formed in San Francisco in 1966 by Sly Stone. Sly and the Family Stone blended elements of funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelia to create their unique sound. The group had many hits in the 1960s and 1970s including “Everyday People” and “Family Affair”.
Tower of Power is a band that is closely associated with West Coast Funk Music. The band was formed in Oakland, California in 1968 by Emilio Castillo. Tower of Power is known for their horn section which is considered to be one of the best in funk music. The band has been very successful over the years and their music is still popular today.
War is a band that is closely associated with West Coast Funk Music. The band was formed in 1969 by members of Eric Burdon’s old band The Animals. War blended elements of jazz, rock, funk, and Latin music to create their unique sound. The band had many hits including “Spill the Wine” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
The Gap Band was a group that was highly influential in the development of West Coast Funk Music. The group was formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1967 by brothers Charlie Wilson and Ronnie Wilson. The Gap Band is known for their distinctive sound which blended elements of funk, soul, disco, and pop music. The group had many hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s including “Outstanding” and “You Dropped a Bomb on Me”
The Best of West Coast Funk Music
West Coast funk is a subgenre of funk that originated in the mid-1970s with bands like the Parliament-Funkadelic and the Gap Band. The style is characterized by its use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, syncopated bass lines, and Parliament-Funkadelic-inspired horn arrangements. In the 1980s, west coast funk artists like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Fishbone popularized the style with a more rock-influenced sound.
The Best Albums of West Coast Funk Music
There are plenty of great albums that represent the west coast funk sound, but here are some of the best of the best.
-Dazz Band, Keep It Live
-George Clinton, Computer Games
– Parliament, The Mothership Connection
– Bootsy Collins, The One Giveth, the Count Taketh Away
– Rick James, Street Songs
– Zapp, Zapp II
The Best Songs of West Coast Funk Music
Here are the best songs of West Coast funk music, according to critics.
“Super Funk” by James Brown
“I Got a Thing, You Got a Thing, Everybody’s Got a Thing” by Funkadelic
“Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)” by BT Express
“Flash Light” by Parliament
“One Nation Under a Groove” by Funkadelic
“Tell Me Something Good” by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
“’75 Soft Machine – “Funky Dollar Bill”” by Parliament
“(Not Just) Knee Deep Part 1&2”) by Funkadelic
The Best Videos of West Coast Funk Music
In the 1960s and ’70s, Sly Stone, of Sly and the Family Stone, popularized a new genre of music: funk. A combination of soul, pop, and R&B, funk is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and intoxicating grooves. The best funk bands of the 1970s came from the West Coast of the United States, including Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, War, and Tower of Power. These bands blended elements of rock, jazz, and Latin music to create a sound that was both unique and irresistible.
While most funk bands were African American, there were also a number of white funk bands that achieved success in the 1970s. One of the most popular was Detroit-based act Grand Funk Railroad. Led by singer-songwriter Mark Farner, Grand Funk Railroad combined hard rock with soulful R&B to create a sound that was both tough and tender. The band’s biggest hit was “We’re an American Band,” which topped the charts in 1973.
If you’re a fan of funk music, then you’ll want to check out these videos of some of the best West Coast funk bands of the 1970s.
