Get Off Your Ass and JAM with The Rolling ILX Funk Listening Club: New Selections Weekly! Updated Mondays and Fridays! All ILXors and Lurkers Welcome!

god, i'm so far behind all these listening clubs. only managed to hear Junie this week (really great!) and now pfunk posts 3 more on friday and its monday already!

Some truly great one-liners on TAPOAFOM
"no itsy bitsy pee wee penis type of pecker poker pusher evah penetratin' the puss-AY"
"unh unh funky let your nuts hang low sweet stereo society's couch wreck quit trippin cuz you ain't even dippin your head to the funk but you wanna get high?"

cardiac arrest appears to be the only Cameo album not on Spotify, but please look for it elsewhere, you wont be disappointed.

None of these albums are on Spotify it seems

i'm a knock that down tear it up / i'm a knock that down tear it up/ i'm a gonna get with it / i know you know just what I mean
I'm a knock that down tear it up/ gonna knock it down trash it up / and when i do it / Ahma stick to it like hot grits on al green

So many albums - I haven't even gotten to last Friday's bonuses yet!

just think of the fun that awaits you!

man I haven't listened to that Infectious Grooves album since it came out, honestly have some trepidation about relistening to it - what can I say, at the time it seemed like funk-metal (a la Jane's, RATM, Anthrax, etc.) seemed like it might be a good idea. but that isn't how it turned out...

also gotta express some reservations about TAPOAFOM, which was a disappointment to me after Dope Dogs. the production's thinner than I like, and the hooks just aren't there. there's maybe a smattering of worthwhile moments, but the sprawl is just too much, it's unfocused.

That Cameo album is an absolute classic, probably my second favourite album of theirs after Word up.

If anyone really gets into it it's actually being re-released as a double with their second album on 21st June. Most of their album from 77-83 are almost impossible to get on CD.

Oh will need to look out for that, cheers!

no funk bonus until theres more chat on those albums! Did the infectious grooves put everyone off or is it because of a lack of spotify/links?

Lack of time in my case, matey - I'm forever playing catch-up. Yesterday was for James Brown's Hell. Wonderful stuff, even if it's pretty much The Payback with gongs. The more I listen, the less I understand those who equate JB with all evil - this stuff seems plenty tuneful to me.

Spotify links definitely help me get through everything - means I can listen at work too.

@pfunkboy: I may not be online on Monday, so can I send you my picks beforehand?

you can post them now if you like, or anytime sat or sunday, no worries, whatever suits you

Are you posting them today?

Here we go...

1. Fatback - Hot Box

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61UxFLcixSL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Spotify

AMG review (which I think undersells the album, if only because the best tracks are serious jams):

In 1980, the carefully studio-crafted combination of funk and disco Fatback had been developing on their last few albums paid off with Hot Box, an album that spawned some serious R&B chart hits. The big hit from this long-player was "Gotta Get My Hands on Some (Money)," a song driven by a rock-solid synthesizer bassline and a freewheeling, Parliament-like rap about the singer's need to score some cash to keep his head above water. It further spices up its funky stew with an array of vocal-harmony hooks and squiggly, ear-catching synthesizer flourishes to create one of Fatback's finest hits. The album's other notable success was "Backstrokin'," a tune that layered plenty of saucy double entendres over a combination of elongated synthesizer lines and staccato horns. Sadly, the rest of the album never quite captures the infectious yet carefully controlled energy of these hits: the title track works hard but never builds up the head of steam that would make it come to life and "Come and Get the Love" sports a lovely group harmony hook but suffers from humdrum lyrics that lack a fresh take on its very traditional subject. The song that gets closest to the arresting quality of the singles is "Love Spell," which triumphs over its uninteresting rap-styled lead vocal thanks to a doubled group vocal/synthesizer hook that digs deep into the listener's consciousness and takes hold. Overall, Hot Box is a solid listen for Fatback fans but those interested in the album's hits would probably be better off picking up a copy of The Fattest of Fatback.

2. Bobbi Humphrey - Blacks and Blues

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4152CRY3QKL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Spotify

AMG review:

Bobbi Humphrey scored her biggest hit with her third album Blacks and Blues, an utterly delightful jazz-funk classic that helped make her a sensation at Montreux. If it sounds a lot like Donald Byrd's post-Black Byrd output, it's no accident; brothers Larry and Fonce Mizell have their fingerprints all over the album, and as on their work with Byrd, Larry handles all the composing and most of the arranging and production duties. It certainly helps that the Mizells were hitting on all cylinders at this point in their careers, but Humphrey is the true star of the show; she actually grabs a good deal more solo space than Byrd did on his Mizell collaborations, and she claims a good deal of responsibility for the album's light, airy charm. Her playing is indebted to Herbie Mann and, especially, Hubert Laws, but she has a more exclusive affinity for R&B and pop than even those two fusion-minded players, which is why she excels in this setting. Mizell is at the peak of his arranging powers, constructing dense grooves with lots of vintage synths, wah-wah guitars, and rhythmic interplay. Whether the funk runs hot or cool, Humphrey floats over the top with a near-inexhaustible supply of melodic ideas. She also makes her vocal debut on the album's two ballads, "Just a Love Child" and "Baby's Gone"; her voice is girlish but stronger than the genre standard, even the backing vocals by the Mizells and keyboardist Fred Perren. Overall, the album's cumulative effect is like a soft summer breeze, perfect for beaches, barbecues, and cruising with the top down.

3. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou - Echos Hypnotiques

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51uNtaYXDGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Spotify

Disclaimer: Ok, this isn't a pure 100% or even 50% funk album, but I figure it shakes things up a bit more than if I posted a Bootsy album or something. And it's unarguably 100% funky.

Condensed blurb from Analog Africa:

Four years in the making, Analog Africa finally presents the second volume of Africa's funkiest band, the mythical
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou.

What had started as a children entertainment group became one of the greatest bands of their era. Volume One was a collection of amazing LO-Fi recordings produced for various labels around Benin. Volume Two showcases superbly recorded tracks, courtesy of the EMI studios in Lagos, one of the best studios in the region. All tracks here were recorded for the mighty Albarika Store label and its enigmatic producer, Adissa Seidou.

During the period presented here - 1969 to 1979 - the mighty Orchestra was without any doubt one of Africa's most innovative group. Capable of playing any style of music, the band moved from Traditional Vodoun Rhythms to Funk, Salsa or Afro-beat seamlessly and quickly became the powerhouse of Benin's music scene, backing most of Africa's stars touring the country such as Manu Dibango, Ernesto Djedje, Bella Bellow as well as supporting an array of local composers such as Honore Avolonto, Antoine Dougbé and Danialou Sagbohan.

Enjoy!

I dont know this fatback album, but i have several fatback band/fatback cds from before that album, one of which shall be my bonus pick this week!

Oh and the bobbi humpfrey album is pretty good too. dunno this last album!

lol at the typo
Bobbi Humphrey

its monday and time to listen to these new picks

Fatback album on now, not that dissimilar to man with the band era. I prefer the earlier fatback band stuff but this isnt bad at all.

until the ballad came on

I definitely prefer the earlier fatback band stuff.

anyone else around?

I'm back now! About the Fatback album, the only track I don't like is the very last one. They were definitely more of a singles band though.

Friday Funk Bonus
Rufus Feat Chaka Khan - Rufusized
http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/rufusized-front-medium.jpg

In the early '70s, Rufus was one of the most popular and interesting bands in R&B and rock. Of course, the reason was Chaka Khan, who possessed an amazing voice that was well versed in rock and jazz every bit as much as R&B. Their debut went nowhere, Rags to Rufus offered two instant classics, and Rufusized displayed their skill as album artists. Truth be told, this version of Rufus was nearly a brand-new band, as three members exited and guitarist Tony Maiden and bassist Bobby Watson joined up. The result was a funkier and more talented band who would give Khan the needed earthy and ethereal mix that would make her soar. The sexy and danceable "Once You Started" proves that this version of the band gave off immediate sparks and results. The sneaky and funky "Somebody's Watching You" has Khan displaying even more confidence. After great album cuts like the soothing "Your Smile" and "Pack'd My Bags," Rufusized ends on a strong note. The poignant and sophisticated "Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me)" leads into the Maiden and Khan duet cover of Bobby Womack's "Stop on By," which nearly matches the steaminess and wry nature of the original. Often forgotten due to the bigger hits on Rags to Rufus, this easily outstrips that album and became of one the band's most-loved efforts.

There's no spotify link but click on the link provided to hear it.

I hope the lex gives it a listen.

And apologies to Tom D for not posting a funky Tangerine Dream album as he requested.

I haven't got time to read this whole thread until the weekend but could I do one of these with (redacted)?

Shouldn't you have kept the choices to yourself and just said you wanted a week? ;)

Ah, is that how it works?! Sorry.

Well, if I am granted a week and those choices are still there when my turn comes up...

7/6 - Seandalai Funkify
14/6 - moka Funka
21/6 - Abbott The Bricklayer
28/6 - The Rev Funkenstein
5/7 - pfunkboy
12/7 - Turangalila Funkapus
19/7 - mbison the texan funkateer
26/7 - Shakey Mo Funkier
2/8 - Tom "Funkybutt" D
9/8 - Von Bootee!
16/8 - Polomint City FunKlata
23/8 - Doran D'VoidOfFunk
30/8 - pfunkboy

Ha ha! Saucy.

You should ask a mod to remove the bands from your post so it stays a surprise for your week.

Hello Mr Moderator, can you remove my album choices please so it remains a surprise for when I do my week? Thanks old bean.

haha i think you need to ask on the mod req board.

where's shakey mo these days?

Ah, I really don't know what's going on. I will look for that in a bit.

You should check out the other clubs too.

Hello there,

A few hours ago I accidentally posted the name of the three albums I want to discuss on the ILM Funk Listening club. Can you remove them for me please?

Thanks. John D

For fuck's sake. I have just suggested ban permalink on myself.

and smithy wont like you saying you are j... d

lol

All my base are belong to some other cunt.

hurrah for mr or mrs mod

im guessing the bobbi humphrey was a bit too smooth for most of you?

cheers mod!

Moka you're up soon

post away moka

hey sam you have a lot of arsenal players to name. get to it!