The Best of Late 70s Funk Music

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Looking for the best of late 70s funk music? Look no further than this blog post. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 funk songs of the late 70s, so you can groove all night long.

Introduction

The late 1970s saw the rise of a new type of music known as funk. This genre was a combination of soul, R&B, and jazz, and it quickly gained popularity with both listeners and musicians alike. The best of late 70s funk music is characterized by its catchy rhythms, funky grooves, and soulful vocals.

Some of the most well-known and beloved funk artists emerged during this time period, including Parliament-Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, and Bootsy Collins. These artists created some of the most iconic and timeless funk hits that are still loved by fans today. If you’re a fan of funk music, then these are the artists you need to check out.

The Birth of Funk

James Brown and the Birth of Funk

In the late 1960s, James Brown began working with a new group of musicians, many of whom would go on to define the sound of funk. This new musical style combined elements of soul, R&B, and African rhythms to create a sound that was both new and familiar.

While Brown is often credited as the “godfather of funk,” it was actually these talented musicians who helped to create the sound that would come to be known as funk. The most important members of James Brown’s band during this period were bassist Bootsy Collins, guitarist Bernie Worrell, and drummer Clyde Stubblefield. Together, these four men created a new kind of music that was perfect for dancing and guaranteed to get your groove on.

If you’re looking for some great funk music from the 1970s, be sure to check out James Brown’s classic albums “Hot Pants” and “Black Caesar.” You can also find excellent examples of funk from other artists of the era, including Parliament-Funkadelic, Kool & the Gang, and Sly & the Family Stone.

George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars

The P-Funk All-Stars, currently known as George Clinton’s Funkadelic, is an American funk music collective of rotating musicians headed by George Clinton. Formed in Parliament-Funkadelic in the early 1970s, the collective has included Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, and lots of other notable musicians over the years. The collective’s recordings are marked by their densely layered sound, often funky basslines and use of criticism. Their features have been studied by several musicologists including Robert Palmer and Simon Frith.

The group began recording together in the early 1970s for Clinton’s concept albums for Westbound Records; these blended elements of gospel music and psychedelic rock with improvisation and a “spacey” atmosphere. The group had a number of hit singles including “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)” and “One Nation Under a Groove”. The All-Stars toured heavily throughout the 1970s and 1980s; their live shows often featured elaborate stage shows with costumes and complex lighting effects. In 1980, Clinton dissolved Parliament-Funkadelic as a recording unit but continued to tour with various iterations of the P-FunkAll-Stars. He reformed Parliament-Funkadelic in 1993 but disbanded it again in 2010.

The Golden Age of Funk

The late 1970s was a magical time for music. Funk was at its peak, and there were so many great artists making amazing music. George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and James Brown were all at the top of their game, and they were all dropping some of the best music of their careers. If you’re a fan of funk music, then you need to check out this list of the best of late 70s funk.

Parliament-Funkadelic

Parliament-Funkadelic was a musical collective that was most prominent during the 1970s. The group began as the brainchild of George Clinton, and it would go on to become one of the most influential groups in all of funk music. The group was a melting pot of talent, and it featured some of the most talented musicians of the era.

The group’s sound was a unique blend of R&B, soul, and funk. It was a sound that would heavily influence the development of hip hop and other genres in the years to come. Parliament-Funkadelic is often cited as one of the most important influences on modern music, and their legacy continue to this day.

Bootsy’s Rubber Band

Formed in 1976 by bass virtuoso Bootsy Collins, Bootsy’s Rubber Band was the house band for Bootsy’s label Collins’ Cardiac Records. The band was composed of some of the most talented musicians in the business including: Catfish Collins (Bootsy’s brother and guitarist), Joel Johnson (keyboardist), Frank Waddy (percussionist), and Gary Mudbone Cooper (vocalist). The Rubber Band released their first album, Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band, in 1976 to critical acclaim. The album featured the hit single “I’d Rather Be with You,” which reached #1 on the R&B charts and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Rubber Band would go on to release four more albums over the next four years, all of which were met with critical acclaim. The band slowly disbanded in the early 1980s as members pursued other projects. In 2006, the band was inducted into the Funk Hall of Fame.

The Ohio Players

The Ohio Players were an American funk band, most popular in the 1970s. They are best known for their hits “Fire” and “Love Rollercoaster”; as well as for their sexualized album covers which featured nude or nearly nude women. Originally called the Ohio Untouchables, and then the Ohio Express, the band was finally renamed after its 1968 hit “Sweet Sticky Thing”. The group hailed from Dayton and was originally made up of singers, musicians and studio technicians who had worked on some of the area’s most successful Motown recordings. The core members were Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner (lead vocals/guitar), Marvin “Marv” Tarplin (guitar), Marshall “Rock” Jones (bass), Ralph “Pee Wee” Middlebrooks (trumpet), Clarence “Satch” Satchell (saxophone/guitar) and Robert Ward (vocals/guitar).

The Legacy of Funk

Funk music originated in the late 1960s and 1970s and is a style of music that is rooted in African American culture. Funk music is characterized by a strong bass line, drums, and guitar. The late 1970s was a Golden Age for funk music with many artists releasing classic funk albums.

Funk Today

Funk today exists as an eclectic blend of styles and influences, with artists borrowing from a variety of genres to create new sounds. While the genre is often associated with dance music and party vibes, modern funk can be cerebral and introspective, drawing on elements of hip hop, R&B, and jazz.

Whatever form it takes, funk is always fresh, innovative, andmoving forward. Artists like Kendrick Lamar, Janelle Monáe, ilectronic duo Disclosure, and Bruno Mars are just a few of the contemporary musicians keeping the legacy of funk alive.

The Influence of Funk

Funk is a style of music that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is characterized by a repetitive, groove-oriented sound and often features elements of soul, R&B, and jazz. Funk songs are often based around a strong bass line, which is why the genre is often referred to as “bass music.”

Funk was initially popularized by African American artists such as James Brown and George Clinton, but it soon found its way into the mainstream. Artists like Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince, and Rick James helped to bring funk to a wider audience, and the genre has since been incorporated into many different styles of music.

Funk has had a major influence on popular culture, especially in the realm of fashion. The distinctive style of dress associated with funk was popularized by artists like Parliament-Funkadelic and Prince, and it has since been adopted by many people who are not even fans of the music. In addition to fashion, funk has also had an impact on dance, film, and television.

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