The Best Vinyl Club Funk Music to Check Out
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Check out our top picks for the best vinyl club funk music to help get your groove on. From classic tracks to modern hits, we’ve got you covered.
What is Funk Music?
Funk is a genre of music that originated in the mid-1960s. It is a style of music that is based on a strong rhythmic groove. Funk music is often times described as a “streetwise, after-hours music” that was created by African American musicians.
The Funk Sound
The first thing you need to know about funk is that it’s all about the groove. If a song doesn’t make you want to move, then it’s probably not funk. The best funk songs have a solid groove that you can feel in your bones, and they often make use of syncopated rhythms and blues-based chord progressions.
The word “funk” can trace its roots back to the 1920s, when it was used to describe a type of African-American music that was strongly influenced by jazz. In the 1960s, the term began to be used more broadly to describe a style of soul music that was based on rhythmic grooves and improvised solos. By the 1970s, funk had emerged as its own distinct genre, with artists like James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic helping to pioneer the sound.
If you’re looking for some good funk songs to add to your collection, here are 10 of our favorites:
1. “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
2. “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine” by James Brown
3. “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)” by Parliament Funkadelic
4. “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” by Funkadelic
5. “Knee Deep” by Zapp featuring Roger Troutman
6. “Atomic Dog” by George Clinton
7. “Flash Light” by Parliament
8. “The Ghetto” by Don Covay
9. “Up For The Down Stroke” by Parliament
10. “Mothership Connection (Star Child)” by Parliament
The Funk Movement
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-1960s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues (R&B). Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground.
The word funk initially referred to a strong odor. It is derived from Latin fumigare (“to smoke”) via Old French funkier (“musty”), which gave rise to the English word funky in the 1930s. The word was later used to describe a style of dance music featuring dynamic rhythms and overdriven electric bass guitar licks influenced by James Brown’s style.
In the early 1970s, Funkadelic began releasing a series of groundbreaking funk albums that blended R&B with psychedelic rock, creating a unique hybrid sound that became known as “p-funk.” This new style of funk would go on to be hugely influential in the development of hip hop and electronic dance music.
Today, funk music is enjoyed by listeners all over the world and continues to evolve as new generations of artists bring their own flavor to the genre.
Best Vinyl Club Funk Music
Club funk, also commonly known as disco funk, is a subgenre of funk that was popular in the 1970s. This style of funk is characterized by a heavy bass line, often with a horn section. The best vinyl club funk music is perfect for getting people up and dancing. If you’re looking for some great vinyl club funk music to add to your collection, check out the following albums.
The Meters
Formed in the 1960s, The Meters were a key part of the New Orleans R&B and funk sound. The group released a string of classic albums on the Josie label, including 1969’s “Look-Ka Py Py” and 1970’s “Struttin’.” The Meters disbanded in 1977, but have periodically reunited over the years.
James Brown
There is no denying that James Brown was one of the most influential figures in music, especially when it comes to funk. His catalog of hits is both impressive and timeless, and his ability to get people moving on the dance floor is legendary. If you’re looking for some vinyl club funk music that will get you up and moving, then James Brown is definitely an artist you need to check out.
Parliament-Funkadelic
Parliament-Funkadelic is a legendary American funk band that was formed in the early 1970s. The band is best known for their catchy, groove-laden songs that often incorporate elements of rock, soul, and R&B. Parliament-Funkadelic’s music is often credited as being a major influence on the development of modern hip hop and electronic dance music.
Bootsy’s Rubber Band
Formed in Cincinnati in 1976 by Bootsy Collins, Bootsy’s Rubber Band was the first incarnation of what would become a veritable funk empire. The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 1977 on Warner Bros. Records, and was an instant classic of the genre, featuring the hit singles “Stretchin’ Out (In a Rubber Band)” and “I’d Rather Be with You.” The album would go on to be certified Gold by the RIAA.
