The Listography of Funk Music

The Listography of Funk Music is a blog dedicated to everything funk. From news and reviews to interviews and playlists, we’ve got you covered.

The Origins of Funk

Funk is a music genre that originated in the African-American community in the mid-1960s. It is a style of music that is based on a strong groove and is often characterized by syncopated rhythms, polyrhythms, and call-and-response vocals.

James Brown and the Birth of Funk

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 music, 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 bad smell. It is derived from Latin fumega meaning “smoke”. In the late 1960s, the word acquired its secondary meaning of sexual intercourse.

Funk is often generated by an electric bass line with syncopated quarter note rhythms played by a rhythm section instruments such as electric guitar, Hammond organ, or drums. These rhythms are generally created by use of matter accents on the second and fourth beats of each measure (bar), creating a 4/4 time signature. The time signature is often simplified to 4/4 for convenience, as it is the most common time signature used in popular music today.

George Clinton and the P-Funk Empire

George Clinton is a name synonymous with funk. As the mastermind behind the legendary Parliament-Funkadelic collective, Clinton pushed the boundaries of what funk could be, infusing the genre with elements of psychedelia, R&B, and rock & roll. The result was a unique and influential strain of funk that came to be known as P-funk.

Formed in the mid-’60s, Parliament was originally a doo-wop group inspired by The Temptations. Clinton took the helm in 1967, adding psychedelic touches to the group’s sound and vision. Around this time, he also began working with a rotating cast of musicians who would come to be known as the P-Funk All-Stars. This loose collective of players — which included bassist Bootsy Collins, guitarist Eddie Hazel, keyboardist Bernie Worrell, and saxophonist Maceo Parker — would go on to have a profound impact on the course of popular music.

The Sound of Funk

Funk is a music genre that emerged in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by a strong bassline and drums, as well as African-American influences. The lyrics are often political and often focus on social issues. Funk is a very danceable genre of music and is often associated with the hippie movement.

The Groove

Funk is a style of danceable music that was popularized in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is characterized by a strong, repetitive bassline and lyricism that often deals with topics related to love, sex, and partying. The term “funk” can also refer to an unpleasant smell.

While funk music originated in the United States, it has been adopted by artists from all over the world, including James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, George Clinton, Sly and the Family Stone, Bootsy Collins, Prince, and Rick James. Funk songs are often based on a simple four-chord progression and have a call-and-response structure. They often include horn sections and percussion instruments such as congas and timbales.

The word “funk” was first used in print in 1902, in the Indianapolis Freeman newspaper. It is believed to be derived from the West African word for “body odor.” Funk has been described as “the smell of sex.”

The Funkadelic Sound

Funkadelic was an American band formed in 1968. The band blended elements of psychedelic rock, soul, and R&B. They are one of the pioneering bands of the genre known as Funk.

The band was led by George Clinton, who is considered the mastermind behind the Funk sound. The other members of the band were Parliament-Funkadelic, which was a collective of musicians who recorded and performed together.

Funkadelic’s self-titled debut album was released in 1970. The album includes the hits “I Got a Thing, You Got a Thing, Everybody’s Got a Thing” and “(Not Just) Knee Deep”.

In 1971, Funkadelic released their second album Maggot Brain. The album is considered one of the best Funk albums ever made. It includes the title track “Maggot Brain”, which is considered one of the greatest Funk songs ever recorded.

Funkadelic continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s. Some of their other notable albums include One Nation Under a Groove (1978) and Uncle Jam Wants You (1979).

The 1980s saw George Clinton pursue a solo career, while Parliament-Funkadelic continued to record and tour without him. In 1981, they released the album {*The Electric Spanking of War Babies *}, which was produced by George Clinton.

In 1988, George Clinton reformed Parliament-Funkadelic with some new members and released the album {*Trombipulation *}. The album included the hit single “(Not Just) Knee Deep”.

In 1997, Parliament-Funkadelic was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. George Clinton continues to tour with Parliament-Funkadelic today.

The Booty Shake

The first thing you need to know about funk is the butt—or, as it’s called in the music, the booty. Funk is all about the booty. The best way to enjoy funk is to get your booty moving. And the best way to get your booty moving is to listen to funk music.

When you hear a funk bass line, you can’t help but move your hips. The same goes for when you hear a funk drum groove. Funk is designed to make you move your body. It’s impossible to listen to funk and not move your body. Try it and see for yourself.

Funk is also all about the groove. A good funk song will have you nodding your head and tapping your feet without even realizing it. The best funk songs will make you want to get up and dance. But even if you don’t feel like dancing, you can still enjoy the groove of a good funk song

The Funk Revolution

Funk music was a product of the Black Power movement and the late 1960s. It was a way for black musicians to express their anger and frustration with the system. Funk music was a way to revolt against the establishment and create something new and exciting.

The Glamorous Life

The funk revolution of the 1970s was a movement of Black musicians who blended elements of soul, pop, and Rhythm & Blues to create a new sound that was both danceable and politically charged. The heart of the funk sound is the rhythm section, which typically includes a bass guitar, drums, and percussion. Funk songs are often based around a groove, or repeated riff, that is played by the whole band. This signature groove is often embellished with horns and keyboards.

Funk music often has sexually suggestive or socially conscious lyrics, and the style is known for its strong bass line and powering drums. Some of the most popular funk bands of the 1970s include Parliament-Funkadelic, slaves, James Brown, and Bootsy Collins. These artists created a new style of music that would go on to influence generations of musicians.

Super Bad

Super Bad is one of the most iconic and well-known funk songs of all time. Released in 1971 by James Brown, the song has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in many movies and TV shows. The signature horn line and composition make it a true funk classic.

Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine

Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine is a song recorded by James Brown in 1970. The song was released as a two-part single and was a number-one hit on the soul singles chart for four weeks, crossing over to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Along with “Give It Up or Turnit a Loose”, the song helped James Brown achieve his status as the “Godfather of Soul”.

The Legacy of Funk

Funk is a musical genre that arose in the late 1960s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul, jazz, and R&B. Funk music was a reaction against the overproduced, polished sound of mainstream pop music of the time. It was raw, sweaty, and unique. The best funk songs have a driving, infectious groove that is impossible to resist. If you need to get up and move, these are the songs for you.

The Funkadelics

The Funkadelics was an American band most active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Led by founder George Clinton, The Funkadelics attained a temporary mainstream popularity despite their psychedelic and eccentric presentation. They blended elements of psychedelia with R&B and soul music, creating a new subgenre that would come to be known as funk. The band scored four #1 R&B hits with their singles “Get Off Your Ass and Jam”, “One Nation Under a Groove”, “(Not Just) Knee Deep”, and “Atomic Dog”.

George Clinton

American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer. His Parliament-Funkadelic collective developed an influential and eclectic form of funk music during the 1970s that drew on science fiction, outlandish fashion, psychedelic culture, and surreal humor. He launched a solo career in 1981. Clinton has been cited as one of the foremost innovators of funk music along with James Brown and Sly Stone.

James Brown

James Brown was an American musician, dancer and bandleader who came to be known as the Godfather of Soul. Part of the bands The Famous Flames and The J.B.’s, Brown was a pivotal force in the development of funk music in the 1960s and 1970s. With his signature guttural vocal style and wild stage antics, Brown was one of the most popular performers of his era, influencing a generation of musicians with his innovative brand of soul music. Described by music critic Robert Christgau as “one of the most important figures in 20th century popular music”, James Brown is remembered as a pioneer of funk and its distinctive rhythmic style.