Funky Rock & Psyche Soul
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The cornerstones of rock may be guitars and singing, but the drums sometimes did more than just keep time. Inevitably the bongos of the 1960s and the congas of the early 1970s bled over into rock. Rock artists covered soul hits, soul-funk artists covered rock hits, and funky-bass-backed drum solos graduated from intro duty to mid-tune "breaks." A crisp color line persisted in both rock and soul jazz, even after civil rights had been won. Funky rock, like most hybrids, enjoyed only marginal impact. Certainly, rock fans considered themselves hip to Sly and the Family Stone, Cold Blood, and a few others. At the famous Fillmore and Avalon dance concerts, people danced to blues, jazz, and soul acts, but probably more for the sake of diversion than diversity. But funky beats were there. From the "soul rock" of early 1960s 45s to James Brown's "psyche" experiments, quite a lot of it went unheard and definitely under-appreciated. Funk is where you find it in hippie-era rock, but there are some fairly reliable sources for fresh inspiration. U.S. military recruitment albums --those desperate giveaways intended to induct high-school-band players-- almost always were constructed to appeal across color lines. Or a well-meaning type like Sandy Nelson would cross over and dare to pummel the lilt out of an "Alligator Boogaloo." Even Captain Beefheart was as funky as the Parliaments when he wanted to be. |
Funky-Rock & Psyche-Soul LPs
| Rating | |
| 6 | 1970 Cerritos Jazz-Rock Ensemble; Custom Fidelity CFS-2247; 1970 (dir. Jack Wharton; Cerritos College) |
| 6 | Ambergris; Paramount PAS-5014 (Larry Harlow, Jerry Weiss, Charles Camilleri, Lewis Kahn..; prod. Steve Cropper) |
| 7 | Bakery & Jazz Ensemble: Rock Mass for Love; Decca DL-75328; 1971 (Australian; live; partly spoken; led by Peter Walker & Bruce Devenish) |
| 6 | Chuck Bridges & the L.A. Happening; Vault 132 |
| 5 | Chase; CBS/Epic 30472 |
| -> | Dennis Coffey -- see guitar |
| 7 | Cold Blood; Atlantic/San Francisco SD-200; 1969 |
| 8 | Cold Blood: Sisyphus; Atlantic/San Francisco SD-205 |
| 8 | Cold Blood: First Taste of Sin; Warner Bros./Reprise MS-2074; 1972 (w/Donny Hathaway) |
| 7 | Cold Blood: Thriller!; Warner Bros./Reprise MS-2130; 1973 |
| 7 | Les Cooper & the Soul Rockers: Wiggle Wobble Dance Party; Everlast ELP-202 |
| 8 | Ruth Copeland: Self-Portrait; Capitol/Invictus ST-7303 |
| 7 | Ruth Copeland: I Am What I Am; Capitol/Invictus SMAS-9802 (w/Bernie Worrell) |
| 7 | Ruth Copeland: Take Me to Baltimore; RCA Victor APL1-1236; 1976 |
| 7 | Mike Curb/Lawrence Brown/Mrs. Miller: Mary Jane ST; 1967 |
| 8 | Mark Duval & his Music; Chappell LPC-1052; 1972 (production) |
| 7 | Everyday People; Paramount PAS-6021; 1971 |
| 6 | Kim Fowley: Born to Be Wild; Imperial LP-12413 |
| 7 | Free Orbit; MPS 15.22517-8; 1975/1970 (Udo Lindenberg, Peter Herbolzheimer..) |
| Keef Hartley: Halfbreed; London/Deram | |
| 7 | The Jaggerz: We Went to Different Schools Together; Buddah/Kama Sutra KSBS-2017; 1970 |
| 7 | Milt Matthews, Inc.: For the People; Catalyst CAS-1111 |
| -> | The Meters (late Josie) -- see New Orleans |
| 6 | Eugene McDaniels: Outlaw; Atlantic SD-8259; 1970 (w/Buck Clarke, percussion) |
| 6 | Midnight Movers.: Do It in the Road; Elephant V EVS-102; c.1970 |
| 7 | Midnight Movers, Unltd.: Follow the Wind; Buddah BDS-5603; 1974 |
| 8 | Modern Soul Band; Amiga 8-55-555; 1976 (Germany) |
| 4 | Sandy Nelson: Boogaloo Beat; Imperial LP-12367 |
| 7 | The New Apocalypso: Stainless Soul; Decca/MTA MTS-5017 (produced by Bob Thompson) |
| 7 | Pretty Purdie: Soul Drums; Date TES-4006; 1967 |
| 7 | Terry Reid: River; Atlantic SD-7259; 1973 (w/David Lindley, Willie Bobo..) |
| 8 | Sly & the Family Stone: Dance to the Music; Epic BN-26371; 1967 |
| 8 | Sly & the Family Stone: Life; Epic BN-26397; 1968 |
| 8 | Sly & the Family Stone: Stand!; Epic BN-26456; 1969 |
| 9 | Sly & the Family Stone: Greatest Hits; Epic E-30325; 1970 (compilation; "Thank You [Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin]" still just in mono) |
| 9 | Sly & the Family Stone: Greatest Hits; Epic EQ-30325; 1970 (compilation; slightly different timings; "Thank You [Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin]" slightly longer & in stereo!) |
| 7 | Sly & the Family Stone: A Whole New Thing; Epic E-30335; 1970 (w/early recordings) |
| 8 | Sly & the Family Stone: There's a Riot Going On; Epic KE-30986; 1971 |
| Sly & the Family Stone: Fresh; Epic 32134 | |
| Sly & the Family Stone: Small Talk; Epic 32930 | |
| 7 | Sly Stone Recorded in San Francisco 1964-67; Springboard/Sculpture SCP-2001 |
| 7 | Smith: A Group Called Smith; ABC/Dunhill DS-50056 |
| 8 | Yma Sumac: Miracles; London XPS-608; 1972 (exotic funky rock; w/Les Baxter) |
| 7 | The Klaus Weiss Sounds & Percussion; Berry/Conroy BMLP-117; 1975 (production/funky rock) |
Partly Funky-Rock/Beats LPs
| Rating | |
| -> | The Airmen of Note -- see military |
| 8 | Alfred's Jazz-Rock Ensemble: It's Happening-Now!; Alfred Music Records ALM-11070; 1970 (mod soul/mod jazz/funky rock; cond. Dr. Saul Feldstein; Don Sebesky, Manny Albam..) |
| 7 | Randy Brecker: Score; Solid State SS-18051 (mod jazz/funky rock) |
| 7 | Herb Bernstein's New Crusade; Metromedia MD-1003 |
| 7 | Gary Burton: The New Quartet; Polydor/ECM ECM-1030-ST; 1973 (soul-jazz vibes/funky rock) |
| 7 | Jimmy Castor Bunch: Phase Two; RCA Victor LSP-4783; 1972 ("Tribute to Jimi: Purple Haze/Foxey Lady") |
| 7 | Jack Daugherty & the Class of Nineteen Seventy One; A&M SP-3038; 1971 (soul jazz/funky rock; much like a jazz lab; w/Paul Humphrey, Hal Blaine, Clydie King, Larry Carlton, Joe Pass..) |
| 6 | Frank David Selection: Blues & Electronics; BASF 21150; 1972 |
| 7 | The Duke of Burlington: Flash!; Wah Wah WLP-003; 2000 (reissue comp of their 2 LPs; Latin & psyche elements) |
| 7 | The Earth Disciples: Getaway Train; Solid State SS-18064 (soul-jazz/rock fusion) |
| 7 | The Fifth Dimension: Reflections; Bell 6065 (soul/funky rock) |
| 7 | The Freak Scene: Psychedelic Psoul; Columbia |
| -> | Johnny Frigo -- see bass |
| 6 | Kossie Gardner: Pipes of Blue; Dot DLP-25940 (organ/funky rock) |
| 6 | Dizzy Gillespie: Souled Out; GWP ST-2023; 1970 |
| 8 | The Grodeck Whipperjenny; Polydor/People PS-3000 (James Brown prod. psyche funk/funky rock) |
| 7 | David Holland: Zouche Drums; Chappell LPC-1083; 1976 (production; drums/flute/funk/funky rock) |
| 8 | Carl "Sherlock" Holmes Investigation: Investigation No. 1; CRS-01 ("Black Bag") |
| 7 | The Hombres: Let it Out; Verve Forecast FTS-3036 (drum breaks in "This Little Girl") |
| 7 | Johnny Houston: Makin' Bacon is a Family Affair; Passion LP-5001; 1973 (ex James Brown, etc. player; soul jazz/funk/funky rock; covers Stevie Wonder & Sly & the Family Stone) |
| 6 | The "In" Group: Today's Pop Hits; Alshire/Q.M.O. 1 (2-LP; covers by studio band) |
| -> | Isley Brothers -- see funk (esp. Givin' It Back) |
| 7 | Fred Karlin: Up the Down Stair Case ST; United Artists UAS-5169; 1967 |
| 7 | James Knight & the Butlers: Black Knight; Cat 711 (funk/funky rock) |
| 8 | Arnie Lawrence: Look Toward a Dream; Project 3 PR-5028-SD; 1968 (w/Larry Coryell; "Gonna Get Some Right Now") |
| 6 | Michel Legrand: The Thomas Crown Affair; United Artists UAS-5182; 1968 ("The Boston Wrangler") |
| 7 | Earl Lett: Professor Lett & Study--Love Serenade; Beantown BT-105-14 ("Honky Tonk Women") |
| 8 | The Mark Lewis Trio; C&M LPS-1001 (lounge act/breakbeat drums/funk/funky rock/soul jazz) |
| 7 | Maxayn; Capricorn CPN-0103; 1972/1971 (2 Rolling Stones covers) |
| 7 | Mike Millius: Desperado; MCA/Uni 73072 (funky rock/Christian) |
| 7 | Henrik Nielsen: Media Music Release No. 2--Bossa Nova/Rock Themes; Capitol (production/funky rock/bossa; 12 1-minute themes) |
| 7 | Okko [Becker]: Sitar & Electronics (Moog/sitar/drums; w/Herb Geller) |
| 8 | Chiyo Okumura; Capitol International Series SP-10546 (hip, funky/funky rock) |
| 8 | Alan Parker/Alan Hawkshaw/Joe Haider; KPM 1080; 1972 ("Hot Pants"; production; flute/mod soul-jazz/funky rock/bass) |
| 7 | Brenda Patterson: Keep On Keepin' On; Epic BN-26501; 1970 (backing by Redbone; prod. Larry Cohn) |
| 8 | Annette Peacock: I'm the One; RCA Victor LSP-4578; 1972 ("Pony") |
| 7 | Stu Phillips: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls ST; 20th Century TFS-4211 (w/Sandpipers, Strawberry Alarm Clock, "Carrie Nations") |
| 5 | The Phoenix Authority: Blood, Sweat, & Tears; Mainstream MRL-303 |
| 7 | Pop Workshop Vol. 1; Grammofonverket EFG-7350; 1973 (Sweden; soul jazz/funky rock) |
| 8 | Pop Workshop: Song of the Pterodactyl; Grammofonverket EFG-501; 1974 (Sweden; soul jazz/funky rock) |
| 7 | Ronnie & the Ramblers: An Evening with Ronnie; R&R 9823 (caribeat/calypso/funky rock; Ronnie Butler when at Ronnie's Rebel Room in the Anchorage Hotel) |
| 7 | Senor Soul Plays Funky Favorites; Double Shot DSS-5004; 1968 ("Psychotic Reaction") |
| 7 | The Soul Seven: "Everything is Everything" with the Soul Seven; Soultex/Now-Again NA-2005; 2003/1969 (12"/33rpm EP w/1970 live track) |
| 6 | Sounds Nice: Love at First Sight; Motown/Rare Earth 512; 1970 (organ/funky rock) |
| 6 | The Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra: Chariots of the Gods ST; Polydor PD-6504; 1970 |
| 6 | Jack Trombey: Disco Queen--Modern Orchestral Rock Sounds; De Wolfe DWS LP-3336; 1976 (production/disco-funk/funky rock) |
| 7 | The Undisputed Truth; Motown/Gordy G-955-L; 1971 |
| 7 | The United States Air Force Academy Falconaires (military; covers Dennis Coffey, Joe Tex, Lalo Schifrin..) |
| 8 | Barry de Vorzon & Perry Botkin, Jr.: R.P.M. ST; Bell 1203 (w/Melanie) |
| 6 | Wilmer & the Dukes; Aphrodisiac SPH-6001 |
| 7 | Wolfman Jack; RCA/Wooden Nickel WNS-1009; 1972/1971 (golden throat/funky rock/beatnik-jive) |
| 7 | Various: The Cycle Savages ST; AIP ST-A-1033; 1970 (biker/psyche prod. Mike Curb & Casey Kasem; Cycle-Mates, Orphan Egg, Boston Tea Party, Jerry Styner, Randy Johnson "Fly, Superman, Fly") |
| 6 | Various: [Bill Graham Presents in San Francisco] Fillmore--The Last Days ST; CBS/Fillmore Z3x-31390; 1972 (3-LP box w/Cold Blood, Santana, Quicksilver, Tower of Power..) |
| 5 | Various: Fusion; KPM 1121; 1973 (some electic sitar) |
| 7 | Various: Light & Easy; NFL Music Library NFL-101; 1977 (mexicali/funky rock/space-electronic) |
| 7 | Various: Lights Out-San Francisco; Blue Thumb BTS-6004; 1972 (2-LP) |
| 9 | Various: On the Road; Berry/Conroy BMLP-131; 1975 (production/funky rock/whistling/funk) |
Funky-Rock 45s
| Rating | |
| 8 | Abaco Dream: Life & Death in G&A/Cat Woman; A&M 1081 |
| 8 | The Allisons: Surfer Street/Money; Tip 1011 (soul rock/drum rock) |
| 6 | Reebop Kwaku Baah: Silly Boy/Kye Kye Kule; Island 1207; 1972 (UK from LP "Reebop") |
| 6 | Mr. Bloe: Groovin' with Mr. Bloe/Sinful; DJM 20.129; 1970 (Italy) |
| 5 | Joe Brown & the Bruvvers: Popcorn/What a Crazy World We're Living In; London International 10507-V (guitar instrumental w/drum break) |
| 8 | The Capitols: Afro Twist/Cool Jerk--instrumental; Atco/Karen 45-1537 |
| 8 | Color Us People: Quiet Beach/Love is a Four-Letter Word; Lightning Production 4186 (arr. Morris Pinkney; soul jazz/funky rock) |
| 8 | Elephant's Memory Band: Mongoose/I Couldn't Dream; Metromedia MMS-182 |
| 8 | Fire: Flight to Cuba/Soul on Ice; Funk 45 016 (reissue) |
| 8 | Bobby Franklin's Insanity: Bring it On Down to Me Parts 1 & 2; Buddah/Thomas TH-801 (breakbeat intro; prod. Curtis Mayfield!) |
| 8 | Freddy/Henchie & the Soul Setters: Funky to the Bone/I Want to Dance, Dance, Dance; Reprise REP-1175; 1973 (Sly & the Family Stone soundalikes) |
| 7 | General Crook: What Time It Is Parts 1 & 2; Down to Earth 77 (guitar makes it psyche funk or funky rock) |
| 7 | The Growing Society: Just for Fun/The Red Fuzz; Dunhill D-4093 |
| 6 | Keef Hartley: Halfbreed/Waiting Around; London/Deram 45-85053 |
| 6 | Frank Iannucci & Springfield: Don't Fight the Love/Just in My Dreams (You Are My Love); GnI GI-6976; 1976 |
| 8 | Jungle Rock: Down in the Jungle/instrumental; Sound Gems SG-108; 1975 (funky w/synth & bird cries, like Jimmy Castor) |
| 7 | Freddie King: Funky/Play it Cool; Atlantic 45-44015 (blues) |
| 8 | The Mauroks: Susan/Story of My Journey South; De-Lite 517 |
| 7 | The Meters: Doodle-Oop (The World is a Bit Under the Weather)/I Need More Time; Josie 45-1029 (& others) |
| 7 | Curly Moore & the Kool Ones: Shelley's Rubber Band/Funky, Yeah!; House of the Fox MH-1934 |
| 8 | The New Way: I'm Sorry 'Bout That/Lookin Like a Nut Nut; GuyJim GJ-587 |
| 8 | Chuck Osbourne: Frankenstein Parts 1 & 2; Hittsburgh USA HB-001; 1975 (Chuck Osbourne: Day Dream Drifter/Frankenstein [Part 2]; Hittsburgh USA HB-1000) |
| 7 | Pal & the Prophets: Peace Pipe/Tee-Pee; Jamie 1382 |
| 8 | Brenda Patterson: Keep On Keepin' On/West Window Song; Epic 5-10599; 1970 |
| 7 | The Plebeian Rebellion: What Do You Think About That/Lotta Lovin'; Columbia 4-44358 (arr. Chuck Sagle) |
| 8 | The Rattles: The Witch/Geraldine; ABC/Probe CP-480 |
| 8 | Willard Posey Reunion: Medley: Cissy Strut-American Woman/mono; Fam 91004; 1972 |
| 8 | Sound Experience: 40 Acres & a Mule/Blow Your Mind; Soulville 14023 (heavy guitar, psyche funk) |
| 8 | Sound Experience: 40 Acres & a Mule/same; Soulville 14023 (heavy guitar, psyche funk) |
| 7 | Vernon Steve Weakley: The Saga of Kunta Kinte/Is It Love or Is It Lust; V.S.W. Productions 100; 1977 (psyche funk/Afro-rock/black power/soul; from LP "The Saga of Kunta Kinte") |
| 8 | E.T. White & his Great Potential Band: Loosen Up/Let Me Hear You Say Yeah; Great Potential R12962 (Baltimore single but D.C. band; A-side based on Tighten Up but much better) |
| 8 | Uncredited: Bye Bye Blues/Sunshine of Your Love; R&J 333 (dance-instruction label like Hoctor) |
Hyp Records is a 3-part guide:
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