Qu’est-ce que la Funk ?
Funk, very fashionable in the years 1960-1970, is at the crossroads of the Soul and current African-American styles.The definition of “funk” (from the African-American jargon) has evolved considerably since its appropriation by jazz. “Funky” was originally a popular term, designating a smell of sweat, an attitude or a style said, “manly”.
Then the term is applied to a form of jazz emerged in the 1950s, marking a new affirmation of the black American identity.
This music, “says” its difference by a powerful rhythm (it takes for the first time the influence of the melody) and a bass playing syncopated, very characteristic. The result is a “groove” unique, more marked than in Soul music.
Jazz Funk : The « In » Crowd – Ramsey Lewis Trio
As the bassist James Jamerson, Bootsy Collins and Larry Graham (the “Sly & the Family Stone” group) do their instrument keystone funk: bass guitar dominates in fact the pieces, both rhythmically as melodically.
Jimmy McGriff – Groove Grease
Soul funk : Sly & Family Stone
In the late 1960s, James Brown’s band invented the “funk beat”, which is characterized by a more aggressive pace and syncopated, emphasizing the first beat of the measure, in contrast to the traditional R & B (which put the focus on 2nd and 4th time).
James Brown – I’m Greedy man
In the 1970s, funk continues to be popularized by artists like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, The Ohio Players, Kool and the Gang, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire and Parliament-Funkadelic.
Stevie Wonder – As
The legendary album
Earth Wind & Fire – Power
In the 1980s, with the tubes of Prince or Rick James, the “funk beat” is very popular, especially in the African American community
Today the style always followers, driven by recent groups like “Soulive” but also by its great pioneers like George Clinton.
Prince – Kiss
In the 90s a phenomenon arrives with his (inspired by Stevie Wonder) funk and disco mix, it is well on Jamiroquai.
Jamiroquai – Canned Heat
Source : planete-jazz.com
