Experience the ultimate “dopamine funk” with the tightest musical expressions from legendary bands, delivering unparalleled soul and funk grooves.
We start with the last track of 1978’s Gafieira Universal. Banda Black Rio, one of the great Brazilian bands of the 1970s and 80s, were pioneers in Brazil’s soul, samba, and funk movement. Formed by saxophonist Oberdan Magalhães, they played a key role in Rio’s black music scene during the military dictatorship. Known for their tight funk grooves, they truly are one of the best in generating a “dopamine funk” experience that feels like a cocktail of neurotransmitters and hormones.
“Street Music is what I always called it because it came from the top of my head and we never rehearsed,” says an energetic, 84-year-old Bill Curtis, the longtime session-drummer and mastermind behind The Fatback Band. “Everything was just raw energy. Most of the guys had no idea until it was time to do it. That’s how we made all our first records.” In 1975’s (Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop, you can hear exactly what he’s talking about. Especially in the mix with Sarah Ruba, it’s clear how modern and timeless this track remains today.
Dumpstaphunk delivers soul and funk at its best! A decade into their formation, the New Orleans all-star collective featuring Ivan Neville (vocals, B3, and Clav), the double bass attack and soulful voices of Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III, Ian Neville on guitar, and the monster addition of Nikki Glaspie (formerly with Beyoncé’s all-female band) on drums, they embody the essence of “dopamine funk”.
From the same vibrant music scene, we have Galactic, an amazing groovy band. Dolla Diva is modern groove at its best, with Maggie Koerner and David Shaw driving the track. Another standout group is Dopapod, formed at Boston’s Berklee College of Music in 2008. Their style is a unique fusion of rock, funk, and experimental sounds. Turnin’ Knob is a killer track showcasing the immense talent within the band.
Ed Motta embarked on a solo career, recording his debut Um Contrato Com Deus, where he played almost all the instruments himself. He is a Brazilian legend, producing a true “dopamine funk” effect with his music. Seminal groove band The Greyboy Allstars are fast approaching their 25th year together, with a lineup featuring some of the most revered players on the modern music scene, including saxophonist Karl Denson, guitarist Elgin Park, keyboardist Robert Walter, bassist Chris Stilwell, and drummer Aaron Redfield.
During the seventies, Paris-born drummer and percussionist Sylvain Krief was one of France’s top musicians. In 1976, Krief founded Airto Fogo, and their self-titled album, recorded at Studio Davout in Paris, became a cult classic, embodying the spirit of “dopamine funk”.
For true experts on the Brazilian funk scene, Di Melo needs no introduction. The singer from São Paulo has been at the forefront of the genre for over 40 years, alongside greats like Jorge Ben and Tim Maia. His first album Di Melo is a significant work of the Afro-Brazilian movement of the seventies.
The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble is a heavy, original, instrumental soul band based in San Diego, drawing influence from past and modern masters. Formed in late 2008, Dojo Cuts quickly became Australia’s hottest heavy funk unit, combining crisp, tight, funky instrumentals with killer vocals by Roxie Ray, offering a “dopamine funk” rush that is both powerful and gritty.
The Dope-Playlist
- Expresso Madureira – Banda Black Rio
- (Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop – Fatback Band, Sarah Ruba
- Deeper – Dumpstaphunk
- Dolla Diva – Galactic, David Shaw, Maggie Koerner
- Turnin’ Knobs – Dopapod
- Hot Damn! – The Haggis Horns, John McCallum
- Your Satisfaction is Mine – Ed Motta
- Still Waiting – The Greyboy Allstars
- Hot Pants Road – Boogaloo Combo
- High Stakers – Airto Fogo
- Se O Mundo Acabasse Em Mel – Di Melo
- A.I.E. (A’mwana) – Black Blood
- Jeannie’s Getdown – The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble
- Chain Reaction – The Crusaders, Joe Sample
- El Entro (feat. Roxie Ray) – Dojo Cuts, Roxie Ray
- E-Man Boogie – The Jimmy Castor Bunch
Cocktail of neurotransmitters, hormones, and other body chemicals, particularly the “pleasure chemical” dopamine. by Funkologie on Mixcloud