Post something "funky"

[bass12]

Music evolves so much that it's impossible to keep narrow definitions based on what it first was. I love me all that seminal 1970s funk that most people typically define as funk, but "funk/funky" has become so much more since then. It's become a versatile entity in our vernacular (musical or otherwise).

"Funky" has become such a broad term. Like, even though this is a metal song, the way it "bounces" and makes me bob my head and body... it just FEELS "funky" to me, from my hair all the way down to my toes.
p
So, yeah, many folks would probably chastise me for saying this song is funky... but my whole entire body viscerally feels "yeah, this is funky!" whenever I hear it.

It's "Oasis" by Puya

I once read a PhD dissertation on funk and one of the suggestions put forth was that a music style only remains in a state of “purity” (which I’m sure wasn’t the original term used) for a very short time. Basically, as soon as something is interpreted by others that “purity” is lost. You can hear all kind of variations on funk throughout the seventies and the more time goes by, the more interpretations come into being.

 

[Hummergeist]

I once read a PhD dissertation on funk and one of the suggestions put forth was that a music style only remains in a state of “purity” (which I’m sure wasn’t the original term used) for a very short time. Basically, as soon as something is interpreted by others that “purity” is lost. You can hear all kind of variations on funk throughout the seventies and the more time goes by, the more interpretations come into being.

Yes that makes sense, and the more time passes, the more convoluted it gets...genres and sub genres.

 

[LBS-bass]

I agree. And there are two types of listener: Those who want to hear the "pure" form only, and those who enjoy a blend of influences. I guess one is no better or worse, just different.

 

[JRA]

some of these posts are imitation "funky," IMO. that's the deal on the term "funky" = it can be whatever you want it to be at any given moment...unlike "funk" which is its own genre of music. it may not be possible to pose as an authority on 'what is funky', but there are plenty of authorities (musicologists!) who can agree on what is "funk." and although many may disagree on some tunes/renditions: it seems that all agree on the usual suspects. "funk" = a genre. "funky" = an opinion. if i offer to someone that something is "funky" = there's a strong likelihood that it is. if i tell someone a tune is "funk" = it is more than likely: "funk."

here's a group (already posted by a couple of others) and what is surely a "funky" tune....but is it "funk?"

 

[Diddywah]

Nobody posted these guys;

 

[andare]

You post what you think is funky and some guy tells you it isn't.
Hopefully we've all been exposed to songs we didn't know. That's the one saving grace of this type of threads, which are otherwise an exercise in futility.

 

[LBS-bass]

here's a group (already posted by a couple of others) and what is surely a "funky" tune....but is it "funk?"

Almost every video I've clicked on to hear in this thread has accents on the 2 and 4. Including the one I posted, and the one you posted.

Is that funk?

Not by any purist definition.

Is it funky? Well, maybe it's more of a funk-tinged fusion of rock and soul.

The problem here is that we're getting a lot of newer music that blends influences and, as I think a lot of people have pointed out, that involves theory nerds as opposed to stage-hardened warriors. So they're bringing in jazzier chops, odd time signatures, sophisticated keyboard licks and so on.

True funk might have all of that but the accents would always be 1 and 3. With the exception of the old-school funk, I haven't clicked on any newer music that sounds like that in this thread. But there's still a lot of good music in here.

 

[Slevage]

T.O.P.
Squibcakeshttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zKoZeCH-TAk
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zKoZeCH-TAk

 

[ClusterFlux]

here's a group (already posted by a couple of others) and what is surely a "funky" tune....but is it "funk?"

What else would it be? Blues? Swedish pop? Nü-metal?

It's a funk tune, played by a funk band. It's just a somewhat mediocre track.

At any rate, I don't think there is much benefit to splitting semantic hairs. Some of us truly know what funk is when we smell it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I once read a PhD dissertation on funk and one of the suggestions put forth was that a music style only remains in a state of “purity” (which I’m sure wasn’t the original term used) for a very short time. Basically, as soon as something is interpreted by others that “purity” is lost. You can hear all kind of variations on funk throughout the seventies and the more time goes by, the more interpretations come into being.

That makes sense. It’s funny because I tried to post songs from the heyday of Funk, but even that might be seen as derivative because the first great practitioner of Funk, James Brown did not feature bass lines very high in the mix. As a kid, I noticed rhythm guitar on James Brown more than the bass. I guess Sex Machine and other Bootsy era songs were the great exceptions.

 

[JRA]

Is that funk? Not by any purist definition. Is it funky? Well, maybe it's more of a funk-tinged fusion.

i agree --- i might call it "borderline" as some elements are there.

i think Bryan R. Tyler pretty much nailed the 'what is funky?' issue earlier in the thread (post #87).

i just don't think a lot of folks get the relationship/difference between "funk"/the genre, and "funky"/the opinion. this thread is about favorite "funky tunes" --- which opens up a lot of fun possibilities! it's not about what is "funk?"

 

[foolforthecity]

Inspired by the thread about Vulfpeck and whether a particular track of there's is "funky" or not...

I'm curious about the spectrum of what is considered "funky" by people on TB. Please post examples of songs you consider "funky". They don't necessarily have to be "funk" - just something you would describe as "funky".

A couple of tracks which to me are funky, but are not at all what I would call "funk":

Keb Mo Am I Wrong - YouTube

Bring It On (Acoustic) - YouTube

The New Funk, Austin Texas. If this don’t get you into a low-down gritty groove, nothing will.

 

[Funky Ghost]

 

[lawgrass]

 

[JRA]

I don't think there is much benefit to splitting semantic hairs.

no hair-splitting here! funk is a bonafide music genre. "funky" is whatever you want it to be!

 

[Lesfunk]

 

[Funky Ghost]

some of these posts are imitation "funky," IMO. that's the deal on the term "funky" = it can be whatever you want it to be at any given moment...unlike "funk" which is its own genre of music. it may not be possible to pose as an authority on 'what is funky', but there are plenty of authorities (musicologists!) who can agree on what is "funk." and although many may disagree on some tunes/renditions: it seems that all agree on the usual suspects. "funk" = a genre. "funky" = an opinion. if i offer to someone that something is "funky" = there's a strong likelihood that it is. if i tell someone a tune is "funk" = it is more than likely: "funk."

here's a group (already posted by a couple of others) and what is surely a "funky" tune....but is it "funk?"

As a genre that grew ( like any other, really ) funk changed a lot in the initial years both regionally and sonically (sic). The earliest funk was sans synth.. yet those amazing groups which started to implement them are considered "classic - true funk". Why then is it such a stretch to apply the moniker to Lettuce? Are they funk influenced? Absolutely. Are they Funk innovators? I would suggest, yes. They are the funk of their time ( now past! Time waits for NO groove . . . ). Snarky Puppy, Volfpek .. all these are funk bands. In new clothes and fresh for the new audience ( and the old if they aren't so beholden to their ideas from the past ) Funk is big enough to be many things, and for that I am more than happy.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

 

[Funky Ghost]

I avoided Herbie ( Manchild specifically ) and the Meters because I have posted them SO much in the past haha I figured I'd let someone else suggest something as "permanently in my library now" as Manchild... that entire album... holy cow!

I've been doing a few obvious and a few deeper dives. I guess you could say I'm passionate about Funk

 

[Funky Ghost]