I've been following the Funk 101 thread with great interest though I came to it very late and have a lot of catching up to do!

Specifically I'm after a couple of instrumental Funk/Soul tunes with killer bass and brass hooks to open each set of a Motown/Funk/Soul show. Kind of in the vein of Pick Up The Pieces but we're really after something a little less obvious. I know there must be some amazing tunes out there that I've just never heard of, any suggestions greatly appreciated.

If you're interested, the band can be heard here, though ignore the brass - it's being rerecorded with a different section.

Detroit Soul (http://www.myspace.com/detroitsoulband)

I think I can help you out here with suggestions but I need more info.


What are the boundaries? (I assume something like Defunkt is out, but is Maceo and all the king's men acceptable?)

How much brass are we talking about?

Difficulty level?


I will post some regardless but this info will help.

I've heard great instrumental versions of stevie wonders "Do I Do" and "Superstition"
maybe stanley clarke's school days could be adapted also watermelonman

Try this:
Kool and the gang - Give it up
http://www.zshare.net/audio/24532289787c87/


If you wanna have some fun it would be easy to do a kickass instrumental version of cold sweat.
(Check out James explaing how to play this)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/2453318665d4c6/

Anyhoo... need more info!

I've been following the Funk 101 thread with great interest though I came to it very late and have a lot of catching up to do!

Specifically I'm after a couple of instrumental Funk/Soul tunes with killer bass and brass hooks to open each set of a Motown/Funk/Soul show. Kind of in the vein of Pick Up The Pieces but we're really after something a little less obvious. I know there must be some amazing tunes out there that I've just never heard of, any suggestions greatly appreciated.

If you're interested, the band can be heard here, though ignore the brass - it's being rerecorded with a different section.

Detroit Soul (http://www.myspace.com/detroitsoulband)Man, I'm totally digging your playing! Yu gotz the funk, fo' sho'!! :)

Thanks for the suggestions, as far as the section goes they're a 3 piece - trumpet, sax and trombone, all experienced pro guys so should be able to handle whatever we throw at them - the limit will be my arranging skills! ;)

Do I Do and Superstsition are already in the set, good shout on the Stanley Clarke stuff though. Defunkt is probably a bit too out there for our audiences yeah, I have to admit I don't know Maceo and all the King's Men though. I'm also after something a bit more explosive than Give It Up - I know that's a very vague description sorry, we want something that's a real show stopper though. Really appreciate the help though, please keep the suggestions coming :)

The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine

It's a theme, but a killer horn line. Check out an Amazon sample here (http://www.amazon.com/One-Hundred-Greatest-TV-Themes/dp/samples/B00005Y49F/ref=dp_tracks_all_4/103-1565999-2466249?ie=UTF8&qid=1182947432&sr=1-1#disc_4).

Taxed To The Max- TOP. Great groove, explosive horns, perfect message.

2nded. It is in fact my fave funky tv theme. here is the full version:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/245406261f14ac/

On a similar tip
Johnny Pate - Shaft in Africa. (Can be rearranged to make even phatter)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/2454097d020bc1/

And have you considered Memphis Soul Stew?
http://www.zshare.net/audio/2454185d8bdfd1/

From my post in the Funk 101 thread, Banda Black Rio is pretty horn heavy funk:

Banda Black Rio - Mr. Funky Samba (http://www.zshare.net/audio/202407511df737/)

Also try some Fela Kuti or Manu Dibango . African funk often gets overlooked till someone plays it and then people go "Oooh yeah, I remember that tune."

Anything by Tower of Power!

On a side note one of the things I hear missing from modern day Funk/Soul bands with horns is that the horn section sounds rather soft, lacking punch. I think JB set the standard with horns that punch you like an unwanted step-child. It's a timing thing and a matter having a crisp attack.

I like your band though. Very well done covers.

Check out 00soul (Double-O-Soul) from California. They do a lot of funk instrumental stuff with good brass. Might not be what you're looking for though since they're still pretty fresh on the scene.

Kind of in the vein of Pick Up The Pieces but we're really after something a little less obvious.

Definitely in the same vibe as "PUTP"(because it's still AWB) & less obvious (because these instrumentals never had airplay)-
"Goin' Home" from AWB's Soul Searching album
"Sweet And Sour"-from AWB's Warmer Communications album

Liquid Soul is a band with some cookin' instrumentals that may be what you're looking for.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it. I'm off out to buy the TOP back catalalogue now and will definately check out all the others, some great tunes posted :)

Thanks also for the kind words about the band, it's taken me about a year to get the band together but I'm really happy with how it's going and I really appreciate the comments.

If anyone has any more sudden brainwaves please drop them in :)