Show of hands, who here thinks that Funk consists only of slapping and popping? That's the impression that I'm getting. "Tommy The Cat" by Primus and say, "Eyes Water Fallin" by Level 42, albeit great slap bass songs are NOT funk. Mandrill, one of the funkiest bands in history, rarely had a slapped bassline. The first thing a person under the age of 25 does is start slapping the minute someone mentions funk. It runs SO much deeper than your thumb. It's from the heart! Bass Player mag will state this, but then contradict themselves down the road. As a child of the '70's who grew up in the inner city, I've heard and seen of THE funkiest bands ever, and the majority of them didn't have slapped basslines. Examples: Flea - Not funk, fonky maybe, but not FUNKY. There's a difference that we'll get into later Stu Zender - Funky Mark King - See "Flea" Pino Palladino- Funky Les - See "Flea" Fieldy - Not Ryeknow - No, although I've heard tapes of his pre-Mudvayne days, and he can be. Andrew Levy - Funky Prince - Funky Rocco - Please, if you don't know by now, shame on ya! Get the point?
I'm not familiar with all of the artists you mention, but I agree with your point. Funk has a lot to do with rhythm, feel, soul, and groove, and it does not much matter what technique one uses to achieve it. One of my favorite versatile bassists is Nathaniel Phillips of Pleasure. He can do it all. Let's not forget James Jamerson of Motown - never slapped at all (as far as I know) and was one of the funkiest bassists who ever lived. - Mike
I don't remember hearing any slapped lines in James Brown's music. He's the funkiest dude in the multiverse.
Nathaniel Phillips was AMAZING! Listening to songs like "Get Some Dirt On You", "Let's Dance" or even a ballad like "Thoughts Of Old Flames", you can't help but, be amazed. And of course, there's "Glide"! Nathan Watts also did some great stuff with Stevie.
I think you state the truth. The statement you make though, it true, Primus is not as funk band. Neither are the Chili peppers, or Korn. The BNH (Andrew Levy) are a funk band, as are Jamiroqui, Tower of Power, Prince, etc. Funk is not about slapping, but you can slap in funk. Marcus is funky on ballads!
I'm with you all the way on this one. I would make a distinction that Mark King is certainly Euro-Funk, but not Funk. I'm listening to the Headhunters right now, and Paul Jackson definitely falls under the category of Funky.
Oh, yeah. A friend of mine just gave me a copy of a cd of the Meters playing a record release party for Wings on the Queen Mary. Amazing stuff. He is the man.
I didn't wanna name the obvious people like Mitch (Ohio Players), Mr. Mark (Slave), Aaron Mills (Cameo), Freddie Washington, Randy Jackson, Bernard Wright, Wimbish, etc. As well as unknown guys in bands like Chocolate Milk, Mighty Ryeders, Sun, LA Connection, Kleer, Brass Construction, the guy from KC & the Sunshine Band (Don't laugh, listen to the stuff he did with Jimmy Bohorne), Fatback Band, etc.
I think its important for the younger players to make the distinction between funk and slapping early on. I slap alot, but most of it is not funky, it is just another technique I use to play aggressive music.
I gotta disagree with you about Mark king. Level 42 is not a funk band, but that guy is funky as hell. Listen to a tune live "physical Presence" from World machine. There's a groove, and not a slap in sight. Or "Good Man In a Storm" same album. Mark Has Funk like a Detroit Black man! (and i can say that cause i'm black)
Rocco! Dat's some o' dat way down between your toes, hadn't warshed yo feet in 3 months kinda funk!!!
PREACH! Git down. What about Nathan Watts man? He's been playing with Stevie Wonder for years and he's a funky-ass mofo.
Yeah, but it's gotta be intimidating to play bass with a keyboardist who created some of the funkiest basslines ever..............
Yeah, Stevie is one of the funkiest bassists ever too, and the funkiest that doesn't actually play bass.
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