Funk 45's February 2007

Sun 04 Feb '07 « »

Although busy with a sh*tload of remixes and writing the Lack of Afro album, I thought it was about high time I gave you good people the second installment of my Funk 45 chart. ‘Ere tis…

  1. Eddie Bo- Hook N’ Sling [Scram]
    What makes this record so special? Why it’s easy, the drums of course! Stand up James Black, this is without doubt your finest hour! An irresistable grrove that all starts with the syncopated drums and builds from there. Added to that Eddie Bo’s cheeky shouts and you have a winner. Makes me feel so unnecessary! More Info

  2. The Meters – Cissy Strut [Josie]
    Yes before you say it it’s an obvious choice, but how many funk records have been more influencial than “Cissy Strut”? Not many. I first heard this on a TV advert years ago and I had to find out what it was. Can’t remember what it was advertising but the music got me noddin straight away and has been with me ever since. Plenty has been written about The Meters so I won’t add to it here, safe to say if you haven’t heard this record, do yourself a favour and get on the case… More Info

  3. James Brown – The Chicken [King]
    I’ve had a soft spot for this record for years. I actually first heard it played by Jaco Pastorius, then later found this original version. Written by James Brown’s arranger Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, I think it’s actually impossible not to like this recording. It’s all there; addictive bassline, choppy guitar, stabbing horns but what really does it for me is Clyde Stubblefield’s drumming which is simply way ahead of its time. More Info

  4. The Detroit Sex Machines – Rap It Together [Soul Fire]
    Rough rough and raw! Snappy drums and a catchy horn refrain make this one of the best 45’s around to nod your head to. Great stuff! More Info

  5. The Soul Seven – The Cissy’s Thang [Now Again]
    A good time record without a doubt! Just a wonderful vibe sums this one up. The usual funk 45 ingrediants are present: chicken scratch guitar, infectiuous horns, big bass, drum break etc, but plenty of records have those without quite achieving the vibe that this one does. Recently heard at the beginning of Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man”. Or so I’m told… More Info

  6. Soul Drifter – Funcky Brother [Smoke]
    One of the most manic drumbreaks of all time in this one. What also floats my boat is the bass is so upfront in the mix. And what a bassline it is! More Info

  7. The Latin Breed – Hard To Handle [GC]
    One of the best covers I’ve ever heard, this one always does the business on the dancefloor. Heavy heavy stuff from the word go, the wah guitar is a particular highlight, and I also loves the way it speeds up as it goes along. Manic drumming! More Info

  8. Funkshone – Purification [Skyline]
    Woe betide anyone who thinks decent funk 45’s aren’t being made anymore. Step forward Mike Bandoni, aka Funkshone with this belter. From the opening 8 bars of just drums (and cowbell!) you know it’s gonna be good. It’s the sound that does it for me – straight from 1969 and that ain’t no accident! If you like your funk hard (and who doesn’t?) then check this mutha out! More Info

  9. Cyril Neville – Gossip [Josie]
    I’ve got David Holmes to thank for this one as I first heard it on his wonderful “Come Get It I Got It” comp. Backed by The Meters, a slow start gives way to a fantastic syncopated groove (led by the drums of Zigaboo Modeliste) before Cyril Neville’s Tenor takes the track to another level. Reissued on Jazzman so there’s no excuse not to own a copy! More Info

  10. The Roy Porter Sound Machine – Panama [Chelan]
    A party 45 if ever there was one! I just love records that sound as if there’s 50 people crammed into a studio just having a good time! This is one of those, with shouts and whistles all over the show! A top top groove that has been sampled many times and for good reason…More Info

    Part 3 to follow in the Spring…