Top 10 Jazz/Funk
Songs
EVAN KOPCA
Assignment
Make a list of ten of your favorite songs within a certain genre
and write 3-5 sentences on the characteristics of the song and
why you like it. Provide a youtube/streaming link to the song and
an image that represents the song (either an album cover or
something else).
The class can then take a poll or write down their top 3-5 favorite
tracks from what was played.
Pass The Peas- Maceo Parker
I view this song as one of the standard and most influential funk
songs ever written. Featuring Maceo Parkers revolutionary
saxophone tone and Fred Wesleys blaring trombone, the groove
and quirkiness of the song keeps listeners head bobbing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgkhThEMRr8
Bustin Loose- Chuck Brown & The
Soul Searchers
Bustin Loose is a quintessential funk and go-go song. Go-go is a
style of funk music that originated in Washington, D.C. and
utilizes African percussion instruments such as bongos and
drums. I enjoy this song because it can act as a pump-up song
and has a unique groove due to its go-go aspects. Also, for a few
years, I heard this song be played during Nationals baseball
games when I was younger and I really liked the song but never
knew what the song was until years later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwHi10qX8u8
Tuesday Night Squad- Soulive
The version of this song I enjoy the most is from their Live at the
Blue Note Tokyo album. This fast paced work consists of high
energy, a virtuosic alto saxophone solo and a jazz organ solo. The
players maintain consistence and groove throughout the whole
tune and successfully keeps it funky.
http://royalfamily.bandcamp.com/track/soulive-tuesday-nightssquad-live-at-blue-note-tokyo
Sing A Song- Earth Wind & Fire
To me, the first Earth Wind & Fire song I always think of is Sing a
Song. This song has the upbeat late 70s disco vibe that keeps
listeners clapping and dancing with synth bass and the iconic
trumpet sound from the disco era. The lyrics are incredibly
positive and motivating as they encourage to sing and make
music (hence the title, sing a song).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBpsOu8jyU8
Moanin- Bobby Timmons
While this song dates back before funk music became an
established style of music (first released in 1958), it contains
elements of gospel and jazz that influences later funk musicians.
The main melody (also called the head) of the tune is catchy
and up-beat that utilizes syncopated rhythms, a call and
response melody and the f-minor blues scale. The most famous
recording of this song includes jazz pioneers including Bobby
Timmons on piano, Freddie Hubbard on Trumpet, and Art Blakey
on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv9NSR-2DwM
Madison Square- Lettuce
I first this song a few years ago when I first got into the band
Lettuce. Lettuce is funk group that has only been around for a
few years, but have made a significant impact in creating new
music within the genre. This song has a much faster tempo than
most of the other songs on this list as it includes frantic
drumming a groovy breakdown and a horn tutti that keeps the
groove going to the very end of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxqQqMT5q8A
Get Up (I Feel Like A) Sex
Machine- James Brown
James Brown is considered the Godfather of Soul but can also
be arguably be called the Godfather of Funk as well. This song
relies more with the groove rather than the instrumentation itself
as the beat and syncopation is mostly kept with the drums and
electric guitar. James Browns iconic voice and wails make an
appearance in the song also. What I find to be unique in the song
is how James Brown calls what is going to happen next in the
structure before It actually happens (for example, he asks the
band to take it to the bridge section before they actually do it).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mjQ1i5V7qA
Threadin The Needle- Liquid Soul
This tune sounds more modern than the previous tunes listed
here. Synthesizer, distorted guitar and sampling can be heard in
Threadin The Needle. I especially enjoy this song because of
the tenor saxophone solo in the middle. Mars Williams plays the
tenor solo with technical virtuosity and groove and creates these
wailing sound effects towards the end that makes the solo
notable and unique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgTM8TNZGo4
Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof
off the Sucker)- Pariliament
Parliament and George Clinton revolutionized the funk sound in
the mid-late 70s with this song and the album Mothership
Connection. This songs chorus represents an anthem that
praises the genre and can be easily sung along to. The chorus is
also my favorite part of the whole song. This song is simply one
of the most classic funk tunes to have ever been written.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBWH3OWfT2Y
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf
Agin)- Sly and the Family Stone
This is also one of the most iconic funk songs to have ever been
written. The sax and trumpet cues along with the persistent slap
bass and syncopated guitar chords keep the song groovy and
funky. Like the last song, I enjoy this tune because of its groove
and chorus, which can also be easily sung along to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5BP2KlPD4U
