Dive into the world of rock and funk as we uncover hidden gems and the fascinating stories behind iconic tracks and legendary artists.
David Holmes is among the best in the growing cadre of invisible-soundtrack producers. Inspired by the audio verité of classic film composers like Lalo Schifrin, John Barry, and Ennio Morricone, Holmes also draws influence from dancefloor innovators and a vast array of jazz and soul pioneers.
Freddie Cruger, aka Red Astaire, first encountered hip hop in the 80s when his brother was collecting vinyl hip hop records and working at an import record shop in Stockholm. This exposure led him to amass his own record collection and acquire decks, a drum machine, and later, a sampler.
Breakwater released two albums: Breakwater in 1978 and Splashdown in 1980. The latter features the song “Release the Beast,” which was sampled for the Murs track “Intro” on the album Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition. “Release the Beast” was later famously sampled by Daft Punk for “Robot Rock” on their album Human After All.
The Lafayette Afro Rock Band, initially formed as the Bobby Boyd Congress in 1970, paid homage to their original vocalist Bobby Boyd. Finding the U.S. funk scene too saturated, they relocated to France in 1971 to find their niche.
The Limp Twins, consisting of Will Holland (of Quantic fame) and Russ Porter, hail from the West Midlands. Dissatisfied with local dance floors, they decided over a banana milkshake that the only way to revive dancing was to dig into their stacks of dusty records and spread the groove.
Breakestra is a funk music project founded by Miles Tackett in Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1997, Breakestra started as a live ensemble playing seamless covers of funk, soul, and jazz breaks sampled in late 80s and early 90s hip-hop, mirroring the style of early hip hop DJs from the 1970s who mixed records at block parties.
By the mid-1990s, pop music described as ska, influenced by bands like No Doubt and Sublime, diverged significantly from the Jamaican dance music of the early 60s. Many bands, influenced more by The Specials or The English Beat, overshadowed the Jamaican roots with punk elements. This is where The Aggrolites come in, blending these influences with a unique touch.
“Low Rider,” written by the band War and producer Jerry Goldstein, appeared on their 1975 album Why Can’t We Be Friends? It topped the Billboard R&B chart and peaked at number 7 on the Pop Singles chart.
Eugene Blacknell, a funk guitarist, band leader, and singer from the Bay Area, was more than just a musician. He was an activist within the Black music scene and the civil rights movement. His contributions to music and activism create a legacy that evokes sentimentality and pride. This collection of his work is rare groove at its rarest, a tribute to a remarkable artist. Funk in peace, Mr. Blacknell.
The Playlist
- Shit! Shit! Shit! – David Holmes
- Love to Angie – Red Astaire
- Release The Beast – Breakwater
- Time will tell – The Lafayette Afro Band
- Another Day In The Life Of Mr. Jones – The Limp Twins
- Bernadette – Oeil
- Adeniji – The Budos Band
- James Brown Medley – Breakestra
- Free Time – The Aggrolites
- Low Rider – War
- Avec les oreilles – Monique Thubert
- The Trip – Eugene Blacknell & The New Breed
- I Sell Marihuana (Dr. Rubberfunk’s Sitar Boogie Mix) – Malente
- Live In The Mix – Flow Dynamics