Funk has many unique qualities & techniques, but nothing stands out more in the hearts of its fans than the absolutely delicious drumming found in its best songs. While most funk is basically in 4/4 time, the drummers pop and slide and syncopate on their own clock, filling the spaces with pure history. Funk's beat hearkens back to Africa, and on down through the African-American slave era (with its frequent prohibitions against black people drumming in public), and then into the Jazz era. Funk brought the jazz line back to "popular" forms, adding a depth to the early 60's soul sound that feels new & fresh even its hoary ancestral glory. Although disco distinguished itself by stripping the drum line back down to a more metronomic feel (& an awful lot of high-hat), hip hop DJs (& electronic producers) always maintained a connection to funk rhythms, often sampling famous drum breaks or programming drum machines to match the older style. It's no accident that the earliest drum machines were popularly known as "funk boxes."
In this episode, Music on the One celebrates the genius musical talent of its drummers defining the sound. Even when a personnel list is not available, we still give respect to the power of the drum, which links us to history, culture, and identity.
Have you hugged your local drummer today?
Let There Be Drums - Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band (Michael Viner, bongos; Hal Blaine, drums)
Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield (Master Henry Gibson, congas)
Soul Drums - Pretty Purdie (Bernard Purdie, drums)
Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin (Bernard Purdie, drums)
A Funky Song - Ripple (Brian Sherrer, drums)
Hihache - The Lafayette Afro Rock Band (Ernest "Donny" Donable, drums)
The Message - Cymande (Sam Kelly, drums; most of the band, percussion)
Yeah Yeah - Black Rock
Amen Brother - The Winstons (Gregory Sylvester "GC" Coleman, drums)
Do That Stuff - Parliament (Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey or Bootsy Collins, drums)
Jelly Bread - Booker T & the MGs (Al Jackson, drums)
Love & Happiness - Al Green (Al Jackson, drums)
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| Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, drummer extraordinaire, member of the Meters |
Rigor Mortis - The Meters
Hey Pocky A Way - The Meters
Tippi-Toes - The Meters
Cissy Strut - The Meters (Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, drums)
Hook and Sling - Eddie Bo & The Soul Finders (James Black, drums)
Ashley's Roach Clip - The Soul Searchers (Kenneth Scoggins, drums, Lino Druitt, congas)
Power of Soul - Idris Muhammad (Idris Muhammad, drums, Ralph MacDonald, percussion)
Funky Drummer - James Brown (Clyde Stubblefield, drums)
It's A New Day - James Brown (Johnny Griggs, congas, either Clyde Stubblefield or Jabo Starks, drums)
Super Bad - James Brown (John "Jabo" Starks, drums)
Think (About It) - Lyn Collins, The Female Preacher (John "Jabo" Starks, drums)
Keep On Doin' - The Isley Brothers (George Moreland, drums)
There Was a Time - Dee Felice Trio (Emidio Dante DeFelice, drums)
Spreadin' Honey - The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (James Gadson, drums)
Some Kind of Wonderful - Soul Brothers Six
Papa's Got a Brand New Bag - James Brown (Melvin Parker, drums)
Honky Tonk Popcorn - Bill Doggett (either Clyde Stubblefield or Jabo Starks)
Are You Ready? - Sly & The Family Stone (Greg Errico, drums)
You Better Think Twice (possibly Philippe Lehman, drums)
Just Some More... Haaaaa-Sheeesh - JD & The Evil's Dynamite Band (possibly Philippe Lehman, drums)
Majestic Soul - Third Point
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