Hit Me, Fred by
With Hit Me, Fred, sensational sideman Fred Wesley Jr. moves front and center to tell his life story. A legendary funk, soul, and jazz musician, Wesley is best known for his work in the late sixties and early seventies with James Brown and as the leader of Brown's band, Fred Wesley and the JB's. Having been the band's music director, arranger, trombone player, and frequent composer, Wesley is one of the original architects of funk music. He describes what it was like working for the Godfather of Soul, revealing the struggle and sometimes stringent discipline behind Brown's tight, raucous tunes. After leaving Brown and the JB's, Wesley arranged the horn sections for Parliament, Funkadelic, and Bootsy's Rubber Band, and led Fred Wesley and the Horny Horns. Adding his signature horn arrangements to the P-Funk mix, Wesley made funk music even funkier. Wesley's distinctive sound reverberates through rap and hip-hop music today. In Hit Me, Fred, he recalls the many musicians whose influence he absorbed, beginning with his grandmother and father--both music teachers--and including mentors in his southern Alabama hometown and members of the Army band. In addition to the skills he developed working with James Brown, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and the many talented musicians in their milieu, Wesley describes the evolution of his trombone playing through stints with the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, Hank Ballard, and Count Basie's band. He also recounts his education in the music business, particularly through his work in Los Angeles recording sessions. Wesley is a virtuoso storyteller, whether he's describing the electric rush of performances when the whole band is in the groove, the difficulties of trying to make a living as a rhythm and blues musician, or the frustrations often felt by sidemen. Hit Me, Fred is Wesley's story of music-making in all its grit and glory.
Head Hunters: the making of jazz's first platinum album by
This is the story of one of the most influential and controversial jazz recordings of the twentieth century. Head Hunters captures a transitional moment in music history, a time when jazz and rock combined to create a whole new, often controversial, genre. Symbolizing that genre was Herbie Hancock's 1973 album Head Hunters, this was hancock's foray into the fusion jazz market, the first jazz album to go platinum, and the best-selling jazz album of all time to that point. The album became a flash point for a major shift, in both the production and reception of jazz; the sales numbers were unprecedented, and the music industry quickly responded to the expanded market, with production and promotion budgets rising tenfold. Such a radical shift helped musicians pry open the door to the control booth, permanently enlarging their role in production.
The One by
The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our time Playing 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer has delivered a complete profile. The One draws on interviews with more than 100 people who knew Brown personally or played with him professionally. Using these sources, award-winning writer RJ Smith draws a portrait of a man whose twisted and amazing life helps us to understand the music he made. The One delves deeply into the story of a man who was raised in abject-almost medieval-poverty in the segregated South but grew up to earn (and lose) several fortunes. Covering everything from Brown's unconventional childhood (his aunt ran a bordello), to his role in the Black Power movement, which used "Say It Loud (I'm Black and Proud)" as its anthem, to his high-profile friendships, to his complicated family life, Smith's meticulous research and sparkling prose blend biography with a cultural history of a pivotal era. At the heart of The One is Brown's musical genius. He had crucial influence as an artist during at least three decades; he inspires pity, awe, and revulsion. As Smith traces the legend's reinvention of funk, soul, R&B, and pop, he gives this history a melody all its own.
George Clinton and the Cosmic Odyssey of the P-Funk Empire by
The first in-depth biography of one of music's most fascinating, colourful and innovative characters. This book is the most comprehensive history yet of the life, music and cultural significance of the last of the great black music pioneers and the era which spawned him. Clinton stands alongside James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone as one of the most influential black artists of all time who, along with his vast P-Funk army took black funk into the US charts and sold out stadiums by the mid 1970s with his mind-blowing shows and legendary Mothership extravaganzas. The book contains first hand interview material with Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Jerome Bigfoot Brailey, Junie Morrison, Bobby Gillespie, Afrika Bambaataa, Jalal Nuriddin (Last Poets), Juan Atkins, John Sinclair, Rob Tyner (MC5), Ed Sanders (The Fugs), Chip Monck ("The Voice of Woodstock ) plus other P-Funk associates and friends. The book presents an insiders' view of the rise of Parliament and Funkadelic from the doowop era and LSD-crazed early shows through to P-Funk s huge rise, the era of the Mothership and beyond.
The Confessions of Rick James by
To fans of sassy and savvy urban music, the name Rick James will forever be associated with the mainstream emergence of funk—that bottom-heavy blend of rock and soul that sparked a multiracial musical revolution in the 1970s and 1980s and has since influenced everything from rap to raves, punk to progressive rock. Along with the fame, the Grammy Award, and superstardom came drug abuse and even felony convictions, all of which are chronicled in this gripping, posthumous tell-all of the funk revolution.
The Funk Era and Beyond by
The Funk Era and Beyond is the first scholarly collection to discuss the significance of funk music in America. Contributors employ a multitude of methodologies to examine this unique musical genre's relationship to African American culture and to music, literature, and visual art as a whole.
Funk by
Get down with the music that mixes R&B and soul with a little rock'n'roll. This newest addition to the Third Ear ä The Essential Listening Companion series traces funk from its James Brown roots through today's groove with groups like the Red Hot Chili Peppers ä folks who got on the good foot. Alongside detailed artist biographies anecdotes and discographies this guide reviews and rates 1 500 recordings that illustrate each band's sound and musical impact. Artists covered include Average White Band George Clinton Herbie Hancock Rick James Chaka Khan Curtis Mayfield The Meters Prince Sly Stone Tower of Power War Wild Cherry and many more.
Funk: the music, the people, and the rhythm of the one by
Funk: It's the only musical genre ever to have transformed the nation into a throbbing army of bell-bottomed, hoop-earringed, rainbow-Afro'd warriors on the dance floor. Its rhythms and lyrics turned bleak urban realties inside out with distinctive, danceable, downright irresistable music. Funk hasn't received the critical attention that rock, jazz, and the blues have-until now. Colorful, intelligent, and in-you-face, Rickey Vincent'sFunk celebrates the songs, the musicians, the philosophy, and the meaning of funk. The book spans from the early work of James Brown (the Godfather of Funk) through today, covering funky soul (Stevie Wonder, the Temptations), so-called "black rock" (Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, the Isely Brothers), jazz-funk (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock), monster funk (Parliament, Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band), naked funk (Rick James, Gap Band), disco-funk (Chic, K.C. and the Sunshine Band), funky pop (Kook & the Gang, Chaka Khan), P-Funk Hip Hop (Digital Underground, De La Soul), funk-sampling rap (Ice Cube, Dr. Dre), funk rock (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus), and more. Funk tells a vital, vibrant history-the history of a uniquely American music born out of tradition and community, filled with energy, attitude, anger, hope, and an irrepressible spirit.
Techno Rebels by
"Although the most vital and innovative trend in contemporary music, techno is notoriously difficult to define. What, exactly, is techno? Author Dan Sicko offers an entertaining, informed, and in-depth answer to this question in Techno Rebets, the music's authoritative American chronicle and a must-read for all fans of techno popular music, and contemporary culture."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Pickin' Up the Pieces: the Best of Average White Band by
Pick up the pieces -- Person to person -- Got the love -- You got it -- Work to do -- Cut the cake -- If I ever lose this heaven -- School boy crush -- Queen of my soul -- Cloudy -- A love of your own -- Soul searching -- I'm the one (live version) -- Get it up (with Ben E. King) -- Your love is a miracle -- When will you be mine -- Let's go 'round again -- For you, for love.
Play with Bootsy: a tribute to the funk by
Inner-planetary-funksmanship -- Play with Bootsy (feat. Kelli Ali) -- Love gangsta (feat. Snoop Dogg, Daz & Colin Rich) -- Soul sista (feat. Fat Joe, Cherine Anderson & Will Guice) -- Don't let 'em (feat. Rosie Gaines, Snoop Dogg, Till Bronner) -- Life for da sweet ting (feat. Eased from Seeed) -- Groove eternal (feat. One & Bobby Womack) -- Dance to the music (feat. One) -- Funky and you know it (feat. Shakedown) -- I'm tired of good, I'm trying bad (feat. Lady Miss Kier) -- All star funk (feat. Lady Miss Kier and Can 7) -- The Bomb (feat. Fat Boy Slim) -- Funkship -- Enhanced video "Play with Bootsy."
The Very Best of the Brothers Johnson: Strawberry Letter 23 by
Is it love that we're missin' -- I'll be good to you -- Thunder thumbs and lightnin' licks -- Get the funk out ma face -- Free and single -- Tomorrow -- Strawberry letter 23 -- Runnin' for your lovin' -- "Q" -- Ain't we funkin' now -- Ride-o-rocket -- Mista' Cool -- Stomp! -- Light up the night -- Treasure -- In the way -- The real thing -- Welcom to the club -- Funk it (funkadelaia) -- You keep me coming back.
The best of Chic : dance, dance, dance by
Songs originally released between 1977 and 1982.
Recorded at Electric Lady Studios and at The Power Station, New York City.
Black Messiah by
Ain't that easy (4:49) -- 1000 deaths (5:49) -- The charade (3:20) -- Sugah daddy (5:02) -- Really love (5:44) -- Back to the future (part 1) (5:22) -- Till it's done (Tutu) (3:51) -- Prayer (4:32) -- Betray my heart (5:55) -- The door (3:08) -- Bacl to the future (part II) (2:24) -- Another life (5:58).
Spirit by
Getaway -- On your face -- Imagination -- Spirit -- Saturday nite -- Earth, wind & fire -- Departure -- Biyo -- Burnin' bush.
I Am by
In the stone.--Can't let go.--After the love is gone.--Let your feelings show.--Boogie wonderland.--Star.--Rock that!.--You and I.
Millenium by
Even if you wonder -- Sunday morning -- Blood brothers -- Kalimba interlude -- Spend the night -- Divine -- Two hearts -- Honor the magic -- Love is the greatest story -- The "L" word -- Just another lonely night -- Super hero -- Wouldn't change a thing about you -- Love across the wire -- Chicago (Chi town) blues -- Kalimba blues.
Illumination by
Lovely people feat. Will.i.am -- Pure gold -- A talking voice interlude -- Love's dance -- Show me the way feat. Raphael Saadiq -- This is how I feel feat. Big Boi, Kelly Rowland and Sleepy Brown -- Work it out -- Pass you by -- The one -- Elevated feat. Floetry -- Liberation -- To you feat. Brian McKnight -- Bonus track The way you move feat. Kenny G.
Fishbone 101: nuttasaurusmeg fossil fuelin' the fonkay by 
Fishbone by
Musicians: John Norwood Fisher; Fish; Kendall Rey Jones; Christopher Gordon Dowd; Angelo Christopher Moore; Walter Adam Kibby II. Recorded at Sunset Sound Factory and Eldorado.
Maggot Brain by
Maggot brain (10:18) -- Can you get to that (2:49) -- Hit it and quit it (3:48) -- You and your folks, me and my folks (3:35) -- Super stupid (3:56) -- Back in our minds (2:37) -- Wars of Armageddon (9:42)
Thrust by
Herbie Hancock, keyboards and synthesizers ; with other musicians. Recorded at Wally Heider Studios and Different Fur Music, San Francisco.
Star Time by
"The definitive 35th anniversary James Brown Collection : 5 hours of music, 72 songs, including many rare or previously unreleased." --box.
Compact discs.
Booklet contains essays, details of the recording sessions, bibliography and discography.
Joe Turner, 1938-1941 by
Goin' away blues -- Roll 'em, Pete -- Cherry red -- Baby, look at you -- Lovin' mama blues -- Cafe society rag -- How long, how long blues -- Shake it and break it -- Low down dirty shame -- I can't give you anything but love -- Joe Turner blues -- Beale street blues -- Piney Brown blues -- Doggin' the dog -- Careless love -- Jumpin' down blues -- Rainy day blues -- Wee baby blues -- Last goodbye blues -- Lucille -- Rock me mama -- Corrine, corrina -- Lonesome graveyard.
Pick Hits: Live by
The John Scofield Band: John Scofield, guitar ; Dennis Chambers, drums ; Gary Grainger, bass ; Robert Aries, keyboards.
Great Googa Mooga by
Lottie Mo -- Ya ya -- Do-re-me -- Hoodlum Joe -- You're breaking me up -- Messed around (and fell in love) -- Ay-la-ay -- Great googa mooga -- People sure act funny -- Ride your pony -- Can you hear me? -- Get out of my life, woman -- Confusion -- Working in the coal mine -- Holy cow -- My old car -- Go-go girl -- Love lots of lovin' -- Four corners -- A lover was born -- Everything I do gonh be funky (from now on) -- Give it up -- Candy yam -- What you want (is what you get) -- Yes we can -- O me-o, my-o -- Sneakin' Sally thru the alley -- Tears, tears, and more tears -- Occapella -- Riverboat -- Who's gonna help brother get further? -- A place where we can be free -- Freedom for the stallion -- If she won't (find someone who will) -- When can I come home? -- On your way down -- Lonely avenue -- Can I be the one? -- Night people -- Soul mine.
What's Going On by
What's going on -- What's happening brother -- Flyin' high (in the friendly sky) -- Save the children -- God is love -- Mercy mercy me (the ecology) -- Right on -- Wholy holy -- Inner city blues (make me wanna holler).
On the Corner by
On the corner -- New York girl -- Thinkin' one thing and doin' another -- Vote for Miles -- Black satin -- One and one -- Helen Butte -- Mr. Freedom X.
Best of - live at paradiso by
CD. Intro / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Everybody dance / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Dance, dance, dance / B. Edwards, Lehman, N. Rodgers -- I want your love / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- I'm coming out / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Upside down / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- He's the greatest dancer / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- We are family / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- At last I'm free B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- I'm thinking about you / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Chic cheer / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- My forbidden lover / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Le freak / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Good times / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers.
Out of the Dark by
O.G. Funk: Billy "Bass" Nelson, Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey, Bernie Worrell, Spacey T. Singleton, Blake Smith, Billy Spruill, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Prince Whipper Whip, Gary Mudbone Cooper, Bernard Fowler.
Honey by
Honey -- Fopp -- Let's do it (interpolated with "Let's love") -- Ain't givin' up no ground -- Sweet sticky thing -- Love rollercoaster -- Alone.
Skin Tight by
Skin tight -- Streakin' cheek to cheek -- It's your night/Words fo love -- Jive turkey -- Heaven must be like this -- Is anybody gonna be saved?
Otis!: The Definitive Otis Redding by
Compilation produced by Bill Inglot, Steve Greenberg, Gary Stewart.
Dirty Mind by
Dirty mind (4:11) -- When you were mine (3:44) -- Do it all night (3:42) -- Gotta broken heart again (2:13) -- Uptown (5:30) -- Head (4:40) -- Sister (1:33) -- Partyup (4:24).
Emancipation by
Jam of the year -- Right back here in my arms -- Somebody's somebody -- Get yo groove on -- Courtin' time -- Betcha by golly wow! -- We gets up -- White mansion -- Damned if [eye] do -- [Eye] can't make U love me -- Mr. Happy -- In this bed [eye] scream.
Sex in the summer -- One kiss at a time -- Soul sanctuary -- Emale -- Curious child -- Dreamin' about U -- Joint 2 joint -- The holy river -- Let's have a baby -- Saviour -- The plan -- Friend, lover, sister, mother/wife.
Slave -- New world -- The human body -- Face down -- La, la, la means [eye] love U -- Style -- Sleep around -- Da, da, da -- My computer -- One of us -- The love we make -- Emancipation.
'Fess : the Professor Longhair Anthology by
Disc. 2. Mardi Gras in New Orleans -- Junco partner -- How long has that train been gone -- Stag-o-lee -- Meet me tomorrow night -- (They call me) Dr. Professor Longhair -- Mess around -- Cry to me -- Whole lotta loving -- Everyday (I have the blues) -- Got my mojo working -- Thank you pretty baby -- Sick and tired -- Mean old world -- Tipitina (live) -- Big chiel (live) -- Rum & coca-cola (version two) -- Boogie woogie.
The Ultimate Collection by
Cold blooded -- Give it to me baby -- You and I -- Mary Jane -- Super freak -- Dance wit' me -- Make love to me -- Love gun -- Bustin' out -- High on your love suite/One mo hit (of your love) -- Ghetto life -- Ebony eyes -- Fire and desire.
Stand! by
Stand! -- Don't call me nigger, whitey -- I want to take you higher -- Somebody's watching you -- Sing a simple song -- Everyday people --Sex machine -- You can make it if you try.
Greatest Hits by
I want to take you higher (5:22) -- Everybody is a star (3:00) -- Stand! (3:05) -- Life (2:58) -- Fun (2:21) -- You can make it if you try (3:38) -- Dance to the music (2:58) -- Everyday people (2:20) -- Hot fun in the summertime (2:37) -- M'lady (2:45) -- Sing a simple song (3:55) -- Thank you (Falettinme be mice elf agin) (4:46).
Back to Oakland by
Oakland stroke ... -- Don't change horses (In the middle of a stream) -- Just when we start makin' it -- Can't you see (You doin' me wrong) -- Squib cakes -- Time will tell -- Man from the past -- Love's been gone so long -- I got the chop -- Below us, all the city lights -- ...Oakland stroke.
Sister Funk by
You're a stone groovy thing (Ruth Brown) -- Chaffeur (Monica) -- A new change of address (Joyce Dunn) -- Escape (Shirley Vaughn) -- You did it (Ann Robinson) -- Good things (Pearl Dowell) -- I'm a good woman (Barbara Lynn) -- It's about time I made a change (Deloris Ealy) -- Born to live with heartache (Mary Love) -- What do you see in her? (Inell Young) -- See and don't see (Marie "Queenie" Lyons) -- Sweetback (Viola Wills) -- Miracle man (The Trinikas) -- Sister funk (Gloria Williams) -- Anna's thang (Anna Raye) -- Honeydripper (Delores [sic] Ealy and The Kenyattas with Jimmy Liggins, guitar, and orchestra) -- Right on (Barbara and Gwen) -- Don't Go (The Aristocrats) -- Too hot to hold (Big Ella)
Funk Box by
Get up I feel like being a sex machine (full-length single version) (James Brown) -- Express yourself (Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band) -- Give it up or turnit a loose (unedited undubbed 1970 version) (James Brown) -- Rock steady (Aretha Franklin) -- Slippin' into darkness (War) -- I know you got soul (extended version) (Bobby Byrd) -- Jungle fever (the Chakachas) -- It's just begun (the Jimmy Castor Bunch) -- Outa-space (Billy Preston) -- Think (about it) (Lyn Collins (the Female Preacher)) -- Goin' to see my baby (Fatback Band) -- Pass the peas (the J.B.'s) -- "T" plays it cool (Marvin Gaye) -- The message (Cymande) -- I can understand it (the New Birth) -- I'm gonna love you just a little more, baby (Barry White) -- Future shock (Curtis Mayfield) -- The bottle (Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson) -- What is hip? (Tower of Power) -- The payback (James Brown) -- For the love of money (the O'Jays) -- Hollywood swinging (Kool & the Gang) -- Tell me something good (Rufus featuring Chaka Khan) -- Do it, fluid (the Blackbyrds) -- Do it (till you're satisfied) (B.T. Express) -- Just kissed my baby (the Meters) -- Skin tight (Ohio Players) -- I get lifted (George McCrae) -- Shakey ground (the Temptations) -- School boy crush (the Average White Band) -- Erucu (Jermaine Jackson) -- Fight the power (pts. 1 & 2) (the Isley Brothers) -- The jam (Graham Central Station) -- Give up the funk (Tear the roof off the sucker) (Parliament) -- Get the funk out ma face (Brothers Johnson) -- Changin' (Brass Construction) -- Dazz (Brick) -- Superman lover (Johnny Guitar Watson) -- The Pinocchio theory (Bootsy's Rubber Band) -- Slide (Slave) -- The hump (Patrice Rushen) -- Running away (12" mix) (Roy Ayers) -- Brick house (12" mix) (the Commodores) -- Let's have some fun (Bar-Kays) -- You and I (Rick James) -- I like girls (Fatback) -- Let's start the dance (Bohannon) -- One nation under a groove (Funkadelic) -- Bustin' loose (Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers) -- I just want to be (12" extended mix) (Cameo) -- Glide (Pleasure) -- Behind the groove (Teena Marie) -- More bounce to the ounce (Zapp) -- Burn rubber (Why you wanna hurt me) (Gap Band) -- Atomic dog (George Clinton).
Anthology by
Performed by War (Lonnie Jordan, organ, piano, synthesizer, guitar, timbales, percussion, vocals; Howard Scott, guitar, percussion, vocals; Lee Oskar, harmonica, percussion, vocals; Papa Dee Allen, conga, bongos, percussion, vocals; Harold Brown, drums, percussion, vocals; Charles Miller, saxes, clarinet, flute, percussion, vocals; B.B. Dickerson, bass, percussion, vocals); with additional vocal and instrumental acc.
My first name is Maceo: a film by Markus Gruber by
Includes performances by Maceo Parker and his group, as well as interviews with Parker and musicians who have worked with him.
Best of - live at paradiso by
DVD. Everybody dance / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Dance, dance, dance / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- I want your love / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Medley : I'm coming out ; Upside down ; He's the greatest dancer ; We are family / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- At last I'm free / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- I'm thinking about you / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Meet the band ; Jam with Chic / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- My forbidden lover / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Le freak / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers -- Good times / B. Edwards, N. Rodgers. Bonus. On the road with Chic -- Highlights from the Polé Polé Festival -- Nile Rodgers interview -- Chic discography -- Nile Rodgers bio -- Photo gallery -- End credits.
War: loose grooves: funkin' live in England, 1980 by
One of the most popular funk groups of the '70s, War was also one of the most eclectic, freely melding soul, Latin, jazz, blues, raggae, and rock influences into an effortlessly funky whole. This is a concert filmed April 9th, 1980 by Jeffery Kruger.
James Brown : the ultimate collection : [piano, vocal, guitar] by 
