Join us as we uncover the treasures of funk’s hidden gems and embark on a musical odyssey that is as exhilarating as it is unforgettable.
Special Streaking
Dark Alley – Ken Aldin
Jürgen Franke, alias Frank Mantis Group or Ken Aldin. German composer, arranger, guitarist and conductor.
Boogie Joe the Grinder – Ultrafunk
UK group that recorded for the Contempo label in the 1970s. Essentially the label’s house band, they later spawned sister ensemble The Armada Orchestra. Like Motown’s Funk Brothers, the identities of those in Ultrafunk were kept strictly under wraps but label founder John Abbey remembers who they were: “Gerry Shury on keyboards, Chris Rae on guitar, Frank McDonald on bass and John Richardson on drums”.
Magic Pt. 1 – General Lee
Robert Q. Lee, US soul artist from Gary, Indiana.
Honey bee (Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh) – Celia Yancey
“Yancey” born Celia Maxey’s life took another interesting turn when well-known local Memphis producer Jim Dickinson heard her sing in Oxford, MS. Dickinson invited her to record with him at Ardent Studios in Memphis. What blossomed from that meeting was a stunning LP that showcased her flair for delivering a timeless funk and soul sound that resonates till this day. This album featured such talents as James Brown, Steve Cropper, The Memphis Horns, The Nashville Strings and The Muscle Shoals Horns. It was during this time that she toured throughout Europe.
Special Streaking – Jean-Claude Pelletier & Orches
French jazz pianist, composer, arranger and conductor. He begins his music studies at the Conservatoire National de Musique in Paris at the age of 10 in 1938. He studied piano, music theory and harmony there until 1948. After playing in jazz orchestras, he worked as an arranger for the Columbia label in 1956 then for Vogue in 1958. He has arranged for cinema, television or popular music.
Chosen Few – Funky Buttercup
Jamaican reggae group formed in 1969.
Who’s Doing It To Who – Ted Taylor
Soul-blues singer Ted Taylor unleashed his stratospheric, falsetto-driven voice on a wide variety of material.
Ma-Gee – Calypso King and the Soul Investigators
The Soul Investigators (originally known as Calypso King and The Soul Investigators). The band was formed in 1997 in Matinkylä, Espoo, Finland, just outside Helsinki. The band has accompanied a number of acclaimed neo-soul artists, including Nicole Willis, Ernie Hawks and Bardo Martinez, as well as continuing to release instrumental recordings under their own name.
Synthetic Substitution – Melvin Bliss
American singer, widely recognized for his song “Synthetic Substitution”, whose drumbreak was heavily sampled by many hip-hop artists.
My Thing – Big Boe and The Nighthawks
Taken from “Jump Back (A Tribute To James Brown)”.
Tam-A-Rind – Hank Jacobs, The TKOs
Henry “Hank” Jacobs didn’t emerge from the womb with a passion to play. Jacobs efforts for the Sue label didn’t stray so far away from the sound of his best-known singles. Here a jam with studio group T-K-O’s.
You Have Come Into My Life – Earl Swindell
Funkey Key – The Dynamics
Managed by Ted White, husband then, of Aretha Franklin. They recorded two albums – 1969 and 1973.
Rock Steady – Julius Brockington
Julius Brockingtonwas from Baltimore. Brockington remains best known for his secular releases and devoted his energies to gospel. Amazing Organist and Pianist. “Sophisticated Funk” is from 1975.
Dirty Red – Funk Inc.
Jazz funk/soul jazz group founded in Indianapolis in 1969.
During the 1970s they were signed to the Prestige Records label for whom they recorded five albums, though they later disbanded in 1976.
(Working My Way Back In) Funky Thing – The Unifics
In 1966 a group of students at Washington D.C.’s Howard University in 1966 formed the group Al & the Vikings. Consisting of singer/songwriter Al Johnson, Tom Fauntleroy, Marvin Brown, Bob Hayes, and George Roland, the group changed its name during its first year to the Unique Five and later to the Unifics.
Escalator – Misha Panfilov Sound Combo
The prolific Estonian multi-instrumentalist has shot onto the scene over the last few years, recording and releasing a grip of gritty groove-laden titles under his own name or mostly via Detroit’s Funk Night Records. Panfilov pulls from a vast pool of influences, from Italian library music to Zamrock.
No Names Bar – The Troubadours
Some clear standouts, like the hard-driven “No Names Bar” by the Troubadours.
Just Moody – The Clear Light Band
The Playlist
- Dark Alley – Ken Aldin
- Boogie Joe the Grinder – Ultrafunk
- Magic Pt. 1 – General Lee
- Honey bee (Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh) – Celia Yancey
- Special Streaking – Jean-Claude Pelletier & Orches
- Chosen Few – Funky Buttercup
- Who’s Doing It To Who – Ted Taylor
- Ma-Gee – Calypso King and the Soul Investigators
- Synthetic Substitution – Melvin Bliss
- My Thing – Big Boe and The Nighthawks
- Tam-A-Rind – Hank Jacobs, The TKOs
- You Have Come Into My Life – Earl Swindell
- Funkey Key – The Dynamics
- Rock Steady – Julius Brockington
- Dirty Red – Funk Inc.
- (Working My Way Back In) Funky Thing – The Unifics
- Escalator – Misha Panfilov Sound Combo
- No Names Bar – The Troubadours
- Just Moody – The Clear Light Band
Wild car chases, gunfire, kung fu and the smell of burnt rubber. by Funkologie on Mixcloud