A salty mix with fire, monsters and funky tramways…
The Popcorns
Break Down – Muscle Shoals Horns
As a working horn section, the Muscle Shoals Horns played on countless hit records and toured with some of the biggest names in the business. They even scored hits of their own. The performers include Harrison Calloway Jr. (trumpet), Ronnie Eades (baritone saxophone), Harvey Thompson (saxophone, flute), and Charles Rose (trombone). The track is from “Born To Get Down” from 1976.
Fire Dance – Dizzy Gillespie
Free Ride is an album by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie which was composed, arranged and conducted by Lalo Schifrin, recorded in 1977 and released on the Pablo label. The Allmusic review stated “The things that make Schifrin an anathema to the diehards – the huge orchestras, the pop and soul riffs, the general air of over the top theatricality – are all over 1977’s Free Ride, his reunion date with Dizzy Gillespie… it’s very much a record of and for its time”
Mr. Brown Part 1 – The Funky Sound Foundation
The Funky Sound Foundation is a nine-piece heavyweight funk band from Finland on their way to the top of the scene. Their relentless groove takes you to the spring of rhythms in a state of hypnosis where you won’t have a chance to return. “Mr. Brown” is from their debut in 2015.
Salt Popcorn – Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours
It was Gabe Roth (Daptone Records) who coined the term ‘shitty is pretty’ to describe his modus operandi for writing & recording genuine modern funk music. Keyboards, guitar, bass, sax and drums set up in one room – with a four track, cassette tape machine sitting in the middle of the floor – with microphones pointed roughly in the direction of the musicians playing them – that was as about as complicated as things got!
Right On – Clarence Wheeler & The Enforcers
Clarence E. Wheeler created the music for many of Woody Woodpecker series cartoons under Walter Lantz Productions along with films in the 1950s. The LP “Doin’ What We Wanna” is from 1970.
Reverend Lowdown – Eddy Senay
A virtual primer in psychedelic funk, Eddy Senay‘s Hot Thang marshals widescreen arrangements, blissed-out grooves, and deeply soulful guitar to forge a series of instrumentals that twist and turn like rides at an amusement park. Senay’s supple, understated guitar style often recalls Grant Green in its sophistication and finesse.
Superstition – David T. Walker
Master of wah wah and melodic funky riffs, in addition to numerous session musician duties since the early 1970s, Walker has issued fifteen albums in his own name. The amazing Stevie Wonder Cover is from 1974.
Time Is Moving – The Brief Encounter
Brief Encounter hails from the mountains of North Carolina. In the 1970’s, they played the Southern Circuit with the likes of Pebo Bryson and the Moses Dillard Band, Chocolate Funk, Confunction, and The Mighty Majors.
Jo’s Theme – Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited
A Swiss instrumental band released on Dionysus Records. The band has released several albums and has also written film and television music, for example for the soundtrack of the remarkable documentary film about racing driver Jo Siffert. That’s the information about our cover of the mix.
Wake The Monster – Big Jullien and His All Star
Ivan Jullien was trumpet player and bandleader. Taken on his Album “Riviera Sound No.1” issued in 1970.
El Toro Poo Poo – Charles Kynard
Charles Kynard is an organist whose jazz-funk leanings rival his predecessors and peers, though not eclipsing them. Solid, though never flashy. He also plays electric bass. The self titled Album is from 1971.
Hang on Sloopy – Ramsey Lewis
Lewis would record R&B-influenced material throughout the ’70s but continued to explore his roots in more traditional jazz sounds as well as Latin rhythms.
Funky Tramway – Mad Unity
Euro funk from Belgium, taken off the later issue “No 7 Funky Music” this track was originally released in 1975 on the LP “Funky Tramway” by Mad Unity. A Janko Nilovic Sideproject. Cool Fender Rhodes Sound.
7th Galaxy – Dennis Coffey
Dennis Coffey places his guitar front and center in a multi-generational group of musicians from Detroit and elsewhere. Coffey lays his trademark psychedelic soul wah-wah-and-fuzz guitar. The set of his self titled album opens with ultra-funky instrumental orgy “7th Galaxy”.
Serenity – James Taylor Quartet
When the Medway Valley’s psychedelic-mod hopefuls the Prisoners disbanded in 1986, organist James Taylor vowed to move into the realms of jazz, and away from rock. Assembling a quartet from Kent, England, comprising fellow Prisoner bass player Alan Crockford and ex-Daggermen personnel Simon Howard (drums) and Taylor’s brother David (guitar).
Fair Thee Well – Harvey Mason
Mason quickly became established in the studios, working in films and television. In addition to his anonymous work through the years, Mason has often been part of the jazz world. He played with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters in 1973. “Marching in the Street” is from 1976.
The One-Eye Two-Step – The Blackbyrds
The group was inspired by trumpeter Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Orville Saunders (guitar), and Jay Jones (flute, saxophone) joined later. The Blackbyrds have influenced the hip-hop generation.
Boogie Joe The Grinder – Quincy Jones
is from 1974. Master at work…
Hold On – US Navy Port Authority
Always There – Ronnie Laws & Pressure
“Pressure Sensitive” is the debut album by American saxophonist Ronnie Laws released in 1975 by Blue Note. Pressure Sensitive was produced by George Butler and Wayne Henderson of The Crusaders.
Your Love Is Just Too Much – Gene Harris & The Three Sounds
“The Three Sounds” is from 1971 by American pianist Gene Harris.
Funky Mule – Buddy Miles Express
1969 form former Electric Flag drummer Buddy Miles. It was formed after the Electric Flag broke up. They released two albums in the 1960s. A couple more albums in the 1970s and 1990s were also credited to the group.
You hear exactly, why Hendrix wanted to have him in the Band of Gypsys…
Playlist
- Break Down – Muscle Shoals Horns
- Fire Dance – Dizzy Gillespie
- Mr. Brown Part 1 – The Funky Sound Foundation
- Salt Popcorn – Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours
- Right On – Clarence Wheeler & The Enforcers
- Reverend Lowdown – Eddy Senay
- Superstition – David T. Walker
- Time Is Moving – The Brief Encounter
- Jo’s Theme – Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited
- Wake The Monster – Big Jullien ands His All Star
- El Toro Poo Poo – Charles Kynard
- Hang on Sloopy – Ramsey Lewis
- Funky Tramway – Mad Unity
- 7th Galaxy – Dennis Coffey
- Serenity – James Taylor Quartet
- Fair Thee Well – Harvey Mason
- The One-Eye Two-Step – The Blackbyrds
- Boogie Joe The Grinder – Quincy Jones
- Hold On – US Navy Port Authority
- Always There – Ronnie Laws & Pressure
- Your Love Is Just Too Much – Gene Harris & The Three Sounds
- Funky Mule – Buddy Miles Express
A salty mix with fire, monsters and funky tramways… by Funkologie on Mixcloud