Posts tagged Funk
WILLIE HUTCH — FULLY EXPOSED: Drowning In The Richness Of 1970’s Soul
May 16th
When most casual listeners think of Motown, they usually think of the big names that came from that label: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, etc. However, the hardcore fans know that there were several lesser-known performers who didn’t achieve the same share of the limelight but still made important contributions to Motown’s More >
Schlock-Wire: Strut Records To Release A New Dennis Coffey Album In April
Mar 4th
If you’re into Motown or 1970’s funk, you know that name Dennis Coffey well. He supplied the guitar work when Norman Whitfield was inventing his style of psychedelic soul and went on to an impressive career as a solo artist and producer. His new, self-titled album will unite the old and new, with Coffey recording More >
EDITS BY MR. K — VOL. 2: A Successful Marriage Of Old School And Modern Mindset
Sep 16th
Remixing a tune for the dancefloor is a challenge but doing an edit of the same tune can be an even bigger challenge. Remixers usually have the benefit of working with master tapes and being able to mix in or out as much of what’s in the grooves as they wish. Someone doing an edit More >
PULP FUSION (15TH ANNIVERSARY CRYSTAL EDITION): Grooves Flow Eternal
Sep 10th
For those not in the know, the Pulp Fusion series has been the groove-head’s best friend since the mid-1990’s. This classic compilation series made a name for itself with fans by collecting the best deep catalog funk, jazz and soul grooves (and crossbreeds of all of the above) for aficionados, presenting them in nicely curated More >
RICK JAMES — GARDEN OF LOVE: A Funkster Lets His Inner Love-Man Out
Aug 17th
Of all the classic-era Rick James albums, Garden Of Love is probably the least-admired of the bunch. It was an affair borne of bad circumstances (James was fighting with his representation and Motown at the time and delivered a short-form album out of spite) and funk fans were confused by its heavy emphasis on balladry. More >
RICK JAMES — FIRE IT UP: Punk-Funk Is More Than A Marketing Hook
Aug 13th
Mention the name Rick James to someone today and chances are the first thing you’ll hear in response is “I’m Rick James, bitch!” If their memory is a bit more expansive, they might remember the sex/drugs/forced imprisonment scandal that landed James in stint in prison. He was a classic casualty of the music business, a More >
THE MIRACLES — CITY OF ANGELS: A Conceptual Soul Classic From An Unexpected Source
May 18th
Motown Records was a challenging place to be during the 1970’s if your name didn’t begin with Diana, Marvin or Stevie. For starters, label honcho Berry Gordy had moved the whole operation to Los Angeles and shifted his focus to expanding the label’s reach into film and television. The label’s non-superstar acts were frequently left More >
WORKING MAN’S SOUL 2: A Second Helping From The Cabaret-Soul Playbook
Apr 6th
Albums by British cabaret bands who specialize in soul and jazz are a pretty small subgenre of recorded music. That shouldn’t surprise anybody. However, it was a surprise when the people at Licorice Soul Records assembled a strong compilation from this tiny pool of material. In 2009, they managed to assemble a credible second volume. More >
BARRY WHITE — I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO GIVE: The Original Concept Album For The Make-Out Music Set
Mar 30th
There’s a great bit in Barry Williams’ memoir I Was A Teenage Brady where the erstwhile Greg Brady chronicles an attempt to put the moves on costar Maureen McCormick. He’s got her in his room and he heads over the stereo to choose some make-out music that will set the amorous mood for Marsha. He More >
Schlock-Wire: Hip-O Select Fires Up The Funk With Reissues Of Two Rick James Albums
Mar 24th
Major news for the funkateers — two Rick James albums that have been out of print for years are getting reissued by Hip-O Select. Some people think of James as a punchline thanks to that (admittedly very funny) Chappelle Show sketch but he was actually a very talented performer, songwriter and producer who unleashed a More >
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