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The Influence of Jimi Hendrix and Other Legends

Iconic Funk Tracks: The Influence of Jimi Hendrix and Other Legends

A young man, named James Marshall Hendrix moved to England in late 1966 to change the world of music radically. This is a mix about distortion guitar in Funk music.

 

Distortion funk

A young man, named James Marshall Hendrix moved to Clarksville, Tennessee soon after and began playing gigs on the Chitlin’ Circuit, earning a place in the Isley Brothers‘ backing band and later with Little Richard, with whom he continued to work through mid-1965. He played with Curtis Knight and the Squires before moving to England in late 1966 to change the world of music radically.

He favored overdriven amplifiers with high volume and gain, and was instrumental in popularizing the previously undesirable sounds caused by guitar amplifier feedback. He was also one of the first guitarists to make extensive use of tone-altering effects units in mainstream rock, such as fuzz distortion, Octavia, wah-wah, and Uni-Vibe. He was the first musician to use stereophonic phasing effects in recordings.

On August 23, 1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s debut album “Are you experienced” was released in North America and is widely regarded as one of the single most influential debut albums of all time. This is a mix about distortion guitar in Funk music.

Jimi Hendrix performing with a Gibson

Overdog – Keef Hartley Band
“Overdog,” the fourth album by Keef Hartley, an influential English drummer, captures his innovative spirit. Known for playing at Woodstock and collaborating with Rory Storm, The Artwoods, and John Mayall, Hartley’s work with the Keef Hartley Band remains a testament to his musical prowess.

Do on My Feet (What I Did on the Street) – Dewey Terry
In 1956, Dewey Terry and Don Bowman formed Don & Dewey, showcasing their multi-instrumental talents. By 1965, Terry, Glen Willings, and a young Jimi Hendrix backed Little Richard on his European tour, blending rock and funk seamlessly.

Gotta Get Away – Flaming Ember
The Flaming Ember, a blue-eyed soul band from Detroit, found success in the late 1960s. Their soulful tunes remain a hallmark of the era’s vibrant music scene.

Dolly Dagger – Jimi Hendrix
Released posthumously on the album “Rainbow Bridge,” “Dolly Dagger” reflects Hendrix’s relationship with Devon Wilson. The song’s vivid lyrics, inspired by a dramatic party incident, exemplify Hendrix’s storytelling prowess.

Chinese Chicken – Duke Williams and the Extremes

Duke Williams fronted this American band, with “Chinese Chicken” featuring prominently on the breakbeat compilation “Ultimate Breaks and Beats.” Richie Sambora’s early involvement adds historical significance.

Two Sisters Of Mystery – Mandrill
Taken from “Just Outside Of Town” released in 1973. To listen Omar Mensa‘s Guitar work at it’s best.

Monster – The Bar-Kays
Written in 1978 by William C. Brown III, US soul disco songwriter, singer (often credited as backing vocalist), recording engineer.

The Heat Is On – The Isley Brothers
The Isleys were providing great R&B long before keyboardist Chris Jasper, bassist Marvin Isley, and the distinctive guitarist Ernie Isley came on board in 1973. This 1975 album marked a high point for the Isley Brothers, with Chris Jasper, Marvin Isley, and Ernie Isley infusing fresh energy into their R&B sound, influenced by Jimi Hendrix.

Third Rock – Pure Essence
Pure Essence, an R&B band from Cincinnati, gained posthumous recognition when their 1976 song “Third Rock” was sampled by RJD2 in 2004, highlighting the band’s lasting impact.

What Time It Is – General Crook
The song is on the compilation of Bill Brewster ‎– Tribal Rites (Part 1 Rarities).

Charlie’s Theme – The Jimi Entley Sound
Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley from Portishead form The Jimi Entley Sound, with “Charlie’s Theme” being a standout track inspired by the British zombie biker movie “Psychomania.”

Sweet Like – Larry Rice
A hidden gem in the funk genre, Larry Rice’s “Sweet Like” continues to resonate with fans for its soulful melody and heartfelt lyrics.

Funky to the Bone – The Soulsetters, Freddi Henchi
In Colorado, front-men “Freddie Love” Gowdy and “Henchi” Graves earned over three decades a reputation as an indefatigable, Boulder-based musical party act popular on the state’s college circuit.

Battery – Macondo
Discovered and produced by Sergio Mendes, Macondo was one of the more interesting, and frustrating groups to fuse Latin music, heavy rock, and funk in the wake of Santana’s huge early-’70s success. More on “Let the funk flow”.

Wah Wah Man – Young-Holt Unlimited
As Young and Holt 1968 tightened up their sound, added some funky rhythms, and renamed the group Young-Holt Unlimited. They scored a left-field smash with the instrumental “Soulful Strut”. Eldie Young’s finger poppin’ booty shaker “Wah Wah Man” is from 1971.

Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed – Thin Lizzy
Johnny the Fox often sounded as anemic as Phil Lynott must have felt, and even its best moments seemed to lack the unbridled potency captured on its predecessor. One of the few exceptions was the semi-title track “Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed” which unearthed Lizzy’s funkier tendencies after years of abandonment.

Phil Lynott, Leader of Thin Lizzy

Nasty Gal – Betty Davis
Funk diva Betty Davis was supposed to break big upon the release of her third album, “Nasty Gal”. After all, her Just Sunshine Records contract had been bought up by Chris Blackwell and Island Records, and they were prepared to invest not only big money in the recording, but in the promotion of the 1975 release. It showcases her commanding presence and raw funk sound.

Festival of Wah – Lord Wallace
English musician Lord Wallace specializes in retro funk, creating music with vintage flair and improvisation, as heard in “Festival of Wah.”

Custard Pie – Led Zeppelin
Recorded in 1974, “Custard Pie” from Led Zeppelin features intricate guitar solos and harmonica, blending rock and funk elements seamlessly.

So Goes the Story – Eddie Hazel
Guitarist Eddie Hazel of Parliament-Funkadelic infused Jimi Hendrix’s rock style with James Brown’s funk, creating a unique sound exemplified in “So Goes the Story.”

Playlist

  1. Overdog – Keef Hartley Band
  2. Do on My Feet (What I Did on the Street) – Dewey Terry
  3. Gotta Get Away – Flaming Ember
  4. Dolly Dagger – Jimi Hendrix
  5. Chinese Chicken – Duke Williams and the Extremes
  6. Two Sisters Of Mystery – Mandrill
  7. Monster – The Bar-Kays
  8. The Heat Is On – The Isley Brothers
  9. Third Rock – Pure Essence
  10. What Time It Is – General Crook
  11. Charlie’s Theme – The Jimi Entley Sound
  12. Sweet Like – Larry Rice
  13. Funky to the Bone – The Soulsetters, Freddi Henchi
  14. Battery – Macondo
  15. Wah Wah Man – Young-Holt Unlimited
  16. Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed – Thin Lizzy
  17. Nasty Gal – Betty Davis
  18. Festival of Wah – Lord Wallace
  19. Custard Pie – Led Zeppelin
  20. So Goes the Story – Eddie Hazel

This is a mix about distortion guitar in Funk music. by Funkologie on Mixcloud

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