Popping Funk Music: The New Sound of the 70s
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Popping Funk Music: The New Sound of the 70s is a new blog that explores the history and origins of this genre of music. We’ll also be featuring new artists and bands that are keeping the funk alive today.
The Funk Movement
Funk is a style of music that was popular in the 1970s. It is a mix of soul, R&B, and rock. Funk music is known for its danceable, groove-heavy tunes. The genre is also known for its use of electric bass, horns, and keyboards.
The Funkadelics
Funkadelic was an American band that was most prominent during the 1970s. The band helped to pioneer the funk music genre and their use of the wah-wah pedal in particular. The group’s eclectic mix of rock, soul, R&B, and psychedelia also made them one of the most influential bands of their era.
Funkadelic was formed in 1968 in Detroit, Michigan, by George Clinton and several other musicians. The band’s lineup would change frequently over the years, but Clinton remained the sole constant member. Funkadelic released their self-titled debut album in 1970, which was followed by a series of successful albums throughout the 1970s.
The band experienced a decline in popularity in the 1980s, but experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s and 2000s due to their influence on hip hop music. Funkadelic was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
James Brown
James Brown, the self-proclaimed “Godfather of Soul,” was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and bandleader. He was one of the most influential figures in 20th century music and culture. Brown’s career began in 1953 when he joined Bobby Byrd’s vocal group, The Flames. He began his solo career in 1956 with the release of his first single, “Please, Please, Please.”
Brown went on to have a massive impact on the sound and style of funk music. His unique blend of soul, R&B, and African-American gospel influences helped to create a new sound that would come to define the genre. Brown’s innovations had a lasting impact on popular music and helped to lay the groundwork for the development of other musical styles such as hip hop and disco.
The Birth of Funk
Funk music originated in the early 1970s and is a subgenre of soul and R&B. Funk is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and its use of the groove. The earliest funk songs were created by James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic.
Funkadelics’ First Album
Funkadelics’ first album, Funkadelic, was released in 1970. The album was recorded at the band’s own studio in Detroit and was self-produced. The album’s sound was a mix of psychedelic rock, soul, and R&B, with a heavy dose of funk. The album’s songs were written by George Clinton and the band’s bass player, Bootsy Collins.
The album’s first single, “I Got a Thing, You Got a Thing, Everybody’s Got a Thing”, was a minor hit, reaching number 69 on the Billboard R&B chart. The second single, “Music for My Mother”, was not as successful, only reaching number 91 on the R&B chart. Despite the lack of commercial success, the album was well received by critics and is now considered a classic of the genre.
James Brown’s “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine”
James Brown is often cited as the Godfather of Funk, and with good reason. The Memphis-born artist was one of the first to blend rhythm and blues with soul to create a new sound that would come to be known as funk. In 1970, he released his now-iconic single, “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine.” The song was an instant hit, reaching the top of the R&B charts and cementing Brown’s status as a pioneer of funk music.
The Sound of Funk
Funk music was a new sound that emerged in the early 1970s. It was a blend of several music genres, including soul, R&B, and jazz. Funk music was characterized by its heavy bass and drums, as well as its catchy melodies. The new sound of funk quickly gained popularity, and by the mid-1970s, it was one of the most popular genres of music.
The Funkadelics’ Sound
The Funkadelics were one of the first bands to bring the sound of funk to a wide audience. Their music was a mix of styles, with elements of soul, R&B, psychedelia, and rock. They were known for their energetic live performances, which often included extended jams.
The band’s sound wasdefined by their use of electric guitars, bass, and drums, as well as their use of horns and keyboards. Their music often featured catchy hooks and danceable grooves.
The Funkadelics were influential in the development of both funk and disco. Their music has been sampled by numerous artists, including Beyonce, Kanye West, and Outkast.
James Brown’s Sound
James Brown was one of the most important innovators in funk music. His aggressive, percussive style of playing created a new sound that would come to dominate the genre. Brown’s sound was characterized by its heavy use of drums and bass, as well as its distinctive “groove.” This groove was created by the interaction between the rhythm section and the horns, and it was this groove that would come to define funk music.
The Legacy of Funk
Funk music was a new sound that emerged in the early 1970s. It was a style of music that was heavily influenced by soul and R&B. Funk songs were often longer than other songs on the radio and they had a groove that was infectious. The popularity of funk music continued into the 1980s with artists like Prince and Michael Jackson.
The Funkadelics’ Legacy
Funkadelic was an American band that was most prominent in the 1970s. The band originally consisted of eight members, including George Clinton, William Collins, Garry Shider, and Tawl Ross. Funkadelic is best known for their fusion of funk and rock music, as well as their explosive live performances.
The band’s sound was heavily influenced by James Brown and Sly Stone, as well as psychedelic rock bands such as Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream. Funkadelic’s debut album, Maggot Brain, is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time. The band’s follow-up albums, Free Your Mind… and Your Ass Will Follow and One Nation Under a Groove, are also considered classics.
Funkadelic disbanded in 1981, but reformed in 1997 with a new lineup featuring George Clinton’s son, Tyrone Wrice. The current lineup of Funkadelic features original members William Collins and Gary Shider, along with new members keyboardist Bernie Worrell and guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight.
The band has continued to tour and release new music over the past two decades, including two new albums: First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate (2014) and Standing on the Verge of Getting It On (2018). Funkadelic remains one of the most popular and influential bands of all time, and their legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
James Brown’s Legacy
In the early 1970s, a new kind of music was born: funk. Emerging from the sounds of soul and R&B, funk was a style that emphasized groove and rhythm over anything else. And at the forefront of this movement was James Brown.
James Brown was a true pioneer of funk, helping to create a sound that would go on to have a huge impact on popular culture. His hits like “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” and “Super Bad” are some of the most iconic and influential tracks of all time. But beyond his musical talents, James Brown was also a master showman, known for his high-energy performances and flamboyant fashion sense. He was truly one of a kind.
Sadly, James Brown passed away in 2006. But his legacy continues to live on through the music he created. Funk would not be the same without him, and neither would popular culture. Thank you, James Brown, for everything.
