FUNK anyone?

[Thunderbird91]

Well I am new to bass and to music in general. I really dig classic rock and grunge. I also have a love for funk. I am new to funk and I am wondering who to check out. Sly and the family stone I already know. Besides that not much. who are some good funk bassists/bands?

[Sippy]

The Ohio Players baby!!!

[Thunderbird91]

Originally Posted by AerospaceGuy

The Ohio Players baby!!!

Who are they?

[Sippy]

*gasp* Blasphemy!!! ... Ever hear "Rollacoasta!!! of looooove.. rollacoasta... ooo ooo ooo" ?

Or "Fire" The Funkiest song ever!

[Thunderbird91]

I feel so noobish... is that the name of the band?

[PhR]

Get Betty Davis' first album ("Betty Davis" 1972), it has Larry Graham and Greg Errico as a rhythm section (one track has Doug Rauch playing bass, he is no slouch either) and great funk-rock songs by Betty.

[Dr. Cheese]

Since you seem to be a complete Newbie, I suggest you get some greatest hits collections so you can get an idea of the variety of music that comes under the heading, "funk." Just like King Crimson sounds nothing like the Ramones, Earth Wind and Fire is miles away from the Fatback band.

If you have satellite radio or live in area with enough Black people, look for an oldies station that would play music from the funk era. You could also do that via web radio.

[Juneau]

Well some of my favorite funk bands are as follows...

For the more classic sort of Funk in my mind (opinions may vary on if these guys classify as funk, but they all have funky songs in their repetior):

Parliment/Funkadelic
Earth, Wind & Fire
Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters
James Brown
Kool & The Gang
Stanley Clarke
Stevie Wonder
The Meters/The Funky Meters
Curtis Mayfield

Some more modern Funk/Groove

Soulive
Medeski, Martin & Wood
Alan Evans
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals (Fight For Your Mind)
Garaj a Trois
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (Not all of it, but some)
Jamiroquai
John Scofield (A Go Go in particular)
Les Claypools Flying Frog Brigade
Marcus Miller (I know is older cat, but his newer albums are more funky IMO)
Me'Shell NdegeOcello
Meteorite
Brotherhood of Groove
Particle
Spearhead
Prince
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Roy Hargrove - Hard Groove
T.M. Stevens
Victor Wooten

[Turock]

James Brown invented funk.

[7flat5]

Add:
Average White Band
(some) Commodores
(some) Isley Brothers
Graham Central Station

Edit: OMG, how could I forget C A M E O still funkin Atlanta.

[Thunderbird91]

Originally Posted by Joshua

You could start right here:

Larry Graham

I have that whole video.. its over an hour long and its amazing...

[Tastyfreise]

If like soulive you will also love lettuce. Lettuce is most of the same guys with a different drummer and a real bass player.

Also I love Jamiroquai. I love Stuart Zenders stuff, Nick Fife is also very good, and the newest bassist Can't remember his name is no slouch either.

[Juneau]

Originally Posted by Tastyfreise

If like soulive you will also love lettuce. Lettuce is most of the same guys with a different drummer and a real bass player.

Also I love Jamiroquai. I love Stuart Zenders stuff, Nick Fife is also very good, and the newest bassist Can't remember his name is no slouch either.

I will 2nd Lettuce. Aaron Bellamy is that "real bass player" btw. However I think Neal holds down the lowend just fine as well

[Indi86]

One shouldn't leave Galactic off that list.

[GSPLBASSDC]

OMG....there must 2 dozen separate threads on TB that deal with funk...bands, songs, styles, who invented slap, best bass for funk, best strings for funk, yada, yada, yada.

You have a good start right here T-bird 91, but do a search for funk...and be prepared for a looooong list of FANTASTIC information.


"Search" is your friend.........

[markjazzbassist]

can't forget these guys

parliament
george clinton
bootsy collins
the brothers johnson
tower of power
pleasure
sun
zapp
slave
dazz band
the gap band

[T-Funk]

One person whom is rarely mentioned is Roy Ayers.

I highly recommend purchasing Roy Ayers - Evolution:The Polydor Anthology. It a very good, two CD collection of some of his best work. The bass lines are tight and funk, but easy enough for a beginner to learn.

Check out the sound clips for "Everybody Loves the Sunshine", "Searching", "Gotta Find A Lover", "Freaky Deaky", "Can't You See Me", "Turn Me Loose" and "Running Away". That's some serious funk!

Ted

[Chili]

Originally Posted by Thunderbird91

I feel so noobish... is that the name of the band?

u shouldnt look at ur self as a noob when it comes to music and playing an instrument, a noob is what pro gamers call someone who is new to the game lol

theres alot of good recomendations from everyone here
but Also check out:
The brothers Johnson
Tower Of power
The Meters
Lakeside
isle brothers

[Thunderbird91]

Thank you all!

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by 7flat5

Add:
Average White Band...

Wanna be inspired?..

AWB's "Schoolboy Crush"!

Joe