1982 Funk: How Does It Rate?

Jam Funk from 1982 was a great year for music. But how does it rate against the other great years?

Introduction

To many music lovers, the term “funk” likely conjures up images of 1970s R&B acts like Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown, and Sly and the Family Stone. But the funk sound actually has a longer history than that, reaching back to the early days of R&B in the 1940s and 1950s. And while 1970s Funk was certainly the most influential and commercially successful period for the genre, there were other significant funk moments in later decades – including 1982.

So what made 1982 such a special year for funk? In a word: Prince. The Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter, producer, and musician released his fourth studio album, 1999, in late 1982. The album’s title track was an instant hit, climbing to #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helping to make Prince a household name. But 1999 was just the beginning. Prince would go on to release a string of hit albums and singles throughout the 1980s – many of which incorporated elements of funk into their sound.

1982 also saw the release of groundbreaking albums by other artists who would become synonymous with the funk sound, including George Clinton’s Computer Games and Parliament’s Themothership Connection (Live From Dallas). These two albums – along with Prince’s 1999 – helped to define what funk could be in the 1980s and beyond.

In addition to being a great year for funk music, 1982 was also an important year for the genre from a cultural standpoint. It was in 1982 that Afrika Bambaataa released his iconic single “Planet Rock,” which helped to introduce electronic music to a wider audience and laid the groundwork for future generations of producers and DJs. It was also in 1982 that hip hop group Run-DMC released their self-titled debut album, which would go on to become one of the most influential rap albums of all time. And finally, it was in 1982 that filmmaker George Lucas released Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, which featured one of the most iconic pieces of movie soundtrack ever written: John Williams’ “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme).”

So what does all this mean for today’s funk fan? Simply put: if you love funk music, then you have1982 to thank (or blame) for much of what you enjoy about it today!

The Music

It is difficult to pigeon hole the style of music played by 1982 Funk. They have been described as “a tough band to categorize” and their music has been variously labeled as “punk jazz”, “no wave”, “avant-garde rock”, and “art rock”. suffice it to say that they are a band that is not afraid to experiment.

The Artists

There are many “Funk” groups/artists out there, but among the most accomplished, popular and noteworthy are:
The P-Funk All Stars (formerly Parliament-Funkadelic),
Bootsy’s New Rubber Band,
Funkadelic,
Brides of Funkenstein,
Bernie Worrell Orchestra,
George Clinton and the P-Funk Mob.
Some other notables are:
Slave,
Confunkshun,
Bar-Kays,
The Dazz Band,
Midnight Star

The Songs

The opening cut, “Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied),” is a disco classic that became one of the biggest hits of the genre. It’s driven by a compelling bass line and some of the most infectious hand-claps in all of pop music. The song also features an absolutely ridiculous saxophone solo that somehow manages to be both cheesy and awesome at the same time.

The rest of the album is equally enjoyable, with highlights including the slinky “I Like It” and the anthemic title track. There are a few dud tracks here and there, but overall this is a tight, fun album that still sounds fresh today.

If you’re a fan of disco or ’80s pop music in general, you owe it to yourself to check out The Music. It’s not the deepest album ever made, but it’s a whole lot of fun.

The Legacy

In the early 1980s, the world was blessed with the invention of funk. This new genre of music quickly rose to popularity, and has since maintained a devoted following. Many people still enjoy funk today, but how does it compare to other genres? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of funk.

The Impact

The legacy of 1982’s “The Legacy” is that it is one of the most influential funk albums of all time. The album was recorded by George Clinton with his band Parliament-Funkadelic and released on August 3, 1982, on Warner Bros. Records. The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 and receiving positive reviews from music critics.

“The Legacy” has been cited as an influence by many musicians, including Prince, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg. The album has also been ranked on numerous lists of the greatest albums of all time, including Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The Influence

Funk has been a powerful and pervasive force in popular music for more than four decades. It’s a genre that has been able to cross over into multiple other genres, including R&B, hip hop, pop, and even rock. Its influence can be heard in the work of artists as diverse as Bruno Mars, Outkast, Prince, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Funk first emerged in the early 1970s with bands like Parliament-Funkadelic and James Brown. These artists took elements of soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock and created a new sound that was both danceable and deeply political. Funk also became a major force in the hip hop world in the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

Today, funk is enjoying something of a renaissance thanks to artists like Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Vulfpeck, and Lettuce. If you’re looking to get into funk, there are plenty of great entry points. Here are just a few of our favorites:

-Parliament-Funkadelic: One of the most influential funk bands of all time. Their psychedelic style and political lyrics set them apart from other funk bands of the 1970s.
-James Brown: The “Godfather of Soul” is also one of the most important figures in funk history. His groundbreaking live albums are essential listening for any fan of the genre.
-Outkast: This hip hop duo from Atlanta helped bring funk back to the mainstream in the 1990s with their innovative blend of rap and R&B.
-Prince: One of the most popular musicians of the 1980s, Prince was a master of multiple genres including funk, rock, pop, and R&B