Del the Funky Homosapien’s first album is called I Wish My Brother George Was Here. The George in the title is (at least indirectly) a reference to George Clinton.* The album itself is brimming with Parliament samples, and if you figured it came after Dr. Dre’s The Chronic because of it’s sonic similarities, I’d understand … Continue reading Del Before Dre (Themes And Trends With Dante Ross)
Tag: funk
Sly Stone And Saving Humanity
We live in a polarized world. Yeat’s “widening gyre” gets invoked around here a lot. We have a shortening list of ways to find optimism and chart a path forward it seems. Enter Sly Stone’s new memoir. If you want to chart a path for optimism, there are so many pieces layered inside of his … Continue reading Sly Stone And Saving Humanity
Sunday Music: NEW Playlist For January 2023
Thanks to those of you who have been asking for a new playlist. This one has been in the works since last fall - and courtesy of a job change, moving across state lines, and surviving COVID Christmas, it’s ready for your consumption. I had a lot of moods in the past 6 months and … Continue reading Sunday Music: NEW Playlist For January 2023
Sunday Music: Mike Clark + Herbie = Funky Drummer Magic
Headhunters is a classic. But Thrust, IYKYK. Mike Clark’s drums to open the album on "Palm Grease" gets me every time. And then, his syncopations on "Actual Proof”? Amazing. Without even getting into the rest of the musicianship. Check these out: https://youtu.be/sRn7WlikdUA https://youtu.be/6x3QtLCAPp8
Sunday Music: More Bounce To The Ounce
Maybe it was reading the Morris Day book, but I’m feeling a little funky lately. Zapp & Roger’s “More Bounce to the Ounce” is just too good. Does anybody synth bass and vocoder like this? If they do, this is where they learned it. Turn it up. https://youtu.be/X1ijvN7ADt4
Sunday Music: Remembering Betty Davis
Talk about a short career with a massive impact. Betty Davis recorded 4 albums in about as many years. She played with the best musicians of the time. She married Miles Davis. She wrote. She produced. She killed. And then, she retired. She packed her bags, moved to Pittsburgh, and a few weeks ago she … Continue reading Sunday Music: Remembering Betty Davis
Sunday Music: POW – Battlefunk!
Raphael Saadiq said that as a bass-playing kid growing up in Oakland, any band you’d want to play with was going to put you to the test with a specific song. You had to be ready for it because it was going to be sink or swim. What do you play, bass? Yeah? Ok. Let’s … Continue reading Sunday Music: POW – Battlefunk!
Sunday Music: New Playlist For June 2021
Spring turned into summer while I was making this one. We went from windows up to windows down and from sweatshirts on dog walks to t-shirts. This playlist kind of captures the transition with enough mood for each season. Here it is on Apple Music and Spotify. “Special Girl” by Dodie. The syncopations. So subtle … Continue reading Sunday Music: New Playlist For June 2021
Sunday Music: Ain’t It The Truth
When you’re a PA kid and a bunch of home-state legends drop an album together - you pay attention. Way back in 2001, The Philadelphia Experiment dropped their one and only record. I just heard Christian McBride talk about it with Cory Wong and I had to throw it on for old time's sake. It's … Continue reading Sunday Music: Ain’t It The Truth