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1. James
Brown Star Time (Polydor) 4CD Box Set
This was a grammy award winning box set for Harry Weinger,
who was one of the producers of the compilation. The seminal
music covered here is both legendary and ground-breaking.
This definitive collection contains the most influential funk
drumming examples of all time. Thank God for James Brown and
his drummers, because the world would be a terribly unfunky
place without them. If this were the only music you were ever
influenced by you’d end up being one funky drummer.
This is the funk bible, it’s an absolute masterpiece
and without a doubt a wise investment.
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2. In Yo’ Face ! The History of Funk Vol. ½
- Vol. 5 (Rhino) Compilation Series
This is an awesome and absolutely indispensable set of funk
staples. If you cannot afford to buy the individual box sets
or collections from any of the major R&B legends this
is definitely the way to go. There are classic songs featured
here by James Brown, Rufus, Average White Band, Kool &
the Gang, Cameo, Parliament, Earth Wind & Fire, Funkadelic,
and many of the major contributors of the funk scene. It’s
an easy way to get familiar with many funk classics without
buying a million separate CDs. This is truly a college education
in the funk. Volumes 1-5 were released first. They later released
volume half (The Roots of Funk) which takes you back to some
of the early groundbreaking R&B classics where it all
began. All and all this is one of the finest collections money
can buy. You can find this series in the compilation section
of larger record stores or order it directly from Rhino records.
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3. Soul
Hits of the 70’s: Vol. 1-20 (Rhino) Compilation Series
Each volume of this incredible collection is a history lesson
in itself. There is a staggering amount of musical information
and grooves to digest. This is one of my personal favorite
collections, listening to these songs gives me an overwhelming
feeling of joy! This CD series is comprised of hit after hit,
many rarities, and often overlooked classics, its an invaluable
tool for any drummer who wishes to school themselves in the
authentic style of R&B drumming. One of the best soul
packages ever assembled!!!
4. Phat
Trax: The Best of the Old School Vol. 1- 7 (Rhino) Compilation
Series
A great collection of heavy funk classics from the late 70s
and early 80s, featuring the full length versions with complete
musical interludes. This is by far the best series covering
the dance funk jams of that period. In true Rhino Records
fashion, the series includes great liner notes depicting funk
history. It features hits by The Time, Fatback, Pleasure,
Brick, Slave, The Emotions, The Brothers Johnson, The Gap
Band, and several one-hit wonders from the period. Since there
can only be so many legends from each era of music, the one
hit wonders are equally significant in the role they played
in developing the sound of the time. Every era of music has
its fair share of one-hit wonders, therefore it is difficult
to get a clear understanding of the period without the inclusion
of these hits.
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5. Sly
& the Family Stone Anthology (Epic) Single CD Compilation
A great anthology by one of the greatest bands of our time.
Their music was just as deep as it was funky. They were one
of rock music’s first truly integrated bands, a collaborative
effort between men and women, blacks and whites. They had
a profound influence on everyone from Earth, Wind & Fire
to Miles Davis and are one of the few R&B bands inducted
into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Some thirty years
from their inception they continue to influence newer generations.
They remain one of the most innovative ensembles of their
generation and one of the funkiest bands of all time.
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6. The
Meters Anthology: Funkify Your Life (Rhino) 2 CD Compilation
The Meters have influenced everyone in R&B with their
own funky New Orleans mixture of blues, soul, funk, second
line, Caribbean, and African rhythms. Words cannot truly describe
how good this music feels. I love this compilation. Zig’s
drumming is “beautiful.” This is the body of work
that made them legends. The grooves are just silly, if your
neckbone’s not sore from groovin’ to this you
may want to check your pulse because you’re probably
dead.
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7. Funkadelic:
Music For Your Mother (Westbound) 2 CD Compilation
A great overview of several of the classic Funkadelic tunes.
This is raw, gritty, animated, hilarious rockin’ funk.
All of George Clinton’s music had a zany sense of humor
as well as an ingenious way of expressing social and political
concerns, It’s just awesome music. Raymond “Tiki”
Fullwood was one ridiculously funky drummer. One scan through
this and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
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8. Parliament: Tear
the Roof Off 1974-1980 (Casablanca) 2 CD Compilation
Recent inductees into The Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame,
Parliament was George Clinton’s second incarnation.
They held the title as the reigning kings of extra-terrestrial
funk. This compilation shows the cosmic funkateers at their
best. More than any other group, they took us on an inter-galactic
journey to experience funk outside the planet! Humor was always
a part of their appeal; they refused to conforme to any notion
of predictability. Some of the revolving members included
Bootsy Collins on bass and his brother Phelps (Catfish) Collins
on guitar, Fred Wesley on trombone and Maceo Parker on sax.
All of them spent time in the James Brown boot camp as members
of his earth shattering back up band the JB’s. This
group combined some of the premier talents from all the funk
schools put together in one glorious centerpiece. They were
absolutely dangerous as a unit, probably the MVP’s of
R&B. The grooves played by Jerome “Bigfoot”
Brailey define what relaxed laid-back funk drumming and music
is all about. Parliament also had the most entertaining and
outrageous live shows of anyone in R&B history.
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9. Stevie
Wonder’s Original Musiquarium Vol. 1&2 (Tamla) 2
CD Compilation
Stevie is a true musical genius, leader, and one of the great
innovators of R&B. He has masterminded hits for more than
three decades with his prolific writing, arranging, and playing
ability. He stands alone as one of the most phenomenal vocalists
in pop music. The two discs cover his biggest hits from 1972-1982
and are among some of the best songs ever written. They still
sound as fresh and hip as they did the day they were recorded.
For a collection of his later hits pick up Stevie Wonder-Song
Review a Greatest Hits Collection (1997, Motown).
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10. Earth
Wind & Fire The Eternal Dance (Columbia) 3 CD Box Set
Earth Wind & Fire was one of the most dynamic live and
recording ensembles in contemporary music. They were much
more than your typical R&B band. Their music encompassed
a wide variety of influences: Brazilian, African, gospel,
funk, and rock, all fused together in a way that made them
extremely pop. They had a completely original sound that featured
beautiful vocal harmonies, tight crispy horns, helacious rhythm
tracks, with spectacular arrangements and production. With
their ever-so-melodic hooks and uplifting chord changes you
couldn’t help but sing along. Of all of the R&B
groups that hit the 70s they were clearly the most sophisticated,
successfully crossing over to become a monster pop act. Their
sound remains timeless. Sonically speaking they had some of
the most incredible recordings in pop music. Next to Steely
Dan’s classic LP. Aja (1977, MCA), Earth, Wind &
Fire’s All N’ All (1977, Colunbia) and I Am (1979,
Columbia) albums stand as milestones in recorded music. They
remain a favorite among musicians from all circles.
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The Funkmasters: The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections 1960-1973,
by Allan “Dr. Licks” Slutsky & Chuck Silverman
(Manhattan Music, Inc., 1996)
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The
Funky Beat, by David Garabaldi (Manhattan Music, Inc. 1996)
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Bass
Drum Control, by Colin Bailey (Drum Workshop Inc.)
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Funk:
The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of The One, by Ricky
Vincent (St. Martin’s, 1996)
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Living
In America: The Soul Saga of James Brown, by Cynthia Rose (Serpent’s
Tail,1990)
The
Billboard Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits, by Adam
White and Fred Bronson (Billboard Books, 1993)
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