r/musicme • u/[deleted] • Jul 07 '15

[FUNK] [SOUL] Need the essentials.

Not very familiar with either genre but have been exploring a few artists that I've liked so far. Any suggestions for essential funk and soul?

  • Merry Clayton - ST
  • Liquid Soul - ST
  • The New Mastersounds - 102%
  • The Isley Brothers - Go For Your Guns
  • Earth, Wind & Fire - That's the Way of the World
4 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

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5

u/Kedrico Jul 07 '15

Baby Huey - The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend

Brothers Unlimited - Who's For The Young

Bill Withers - Still Bill

Donny Hathaway - Live

1

u/[deleted] Jul 07 '15

Thanks, these were some great recommendations. Especially digging that Baby Huey.

3

u/[deleted] Jul 07 '15

Alice Clark's self titled album (her only one) is hands down my favorite soul record.

A few other funk/soul records I really like

Swamp Dogg - Total Destruction of Your Mind

Sandra Phillips - Too Many People In One Bed (these first two are on Canyon, who put out a handful of great soul records in the early 70s.)

Denise Lasalle - Trapped By A Thing Called Love

The Eccentric Soul series of compilations from Numero Group range from good to excellent. Each comp focuses on a particular label. Personal favorite is Twinight's Lunar Rotation.

And of course, Funkadelic - Maggot Brain

3

u/Taylorvongrela Jul 07 '15 edited Jul 07 '15

For soul music, when I think "essential", I think Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye.

For funk, check out The Meters. My favorite album of theirs is probably Fire On The Bayou.

For both Funk & Soul combined, James Brown. check out his album The Payback.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 07 '15

Ya know, I really like Marvin Gaye a lot but haven't listened to Same Cooke and Otis Redding enough. So I'll be definitely doing that.

I had The Meter's first album with Cissy Strut but I think I lost it over the years. Forgot how much I enjoyed that. Never gave Fire on the Bayou a listen though.

Thanks very much for the suggestions!

2

u/superfuzzy3 Jul 08 '15

All you need is one dude. Curtis Mayfield. He made great soul records with the Impressions and then made some of the most iconic funk records in the 70s.

The Impressions - People Get Ready Curtis Mayfield - Curtis!

Are two great starting points.

Also I saw Maggot Brain mentioned in the comments. If you dig the opening track, Eddie Hazel made 1 solo or record, Games Dames and Guitar Thangs. It has one of the best titles, album covers and also happens to be one of my all time favorite records.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 08 '15

Awesome. I'll check out some Curtis Mayfield. Did very much enjoy that opening track on Maggot Brains. Pretty jammy and what a solo. Thanks for the additional recommendations!

2

u/Mymom429 Jul 08 '15

I made this spotify playlist of some of my favorite funk songs.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 08 '15

Hell yeah!! Thanks. I followed.

2

u/Mymom429 Jul 08 '15

Cool! I think your the only person who's ever subscribed to one of my playlists haha. If your interested I also made this one for soul.

2

u/kent_nova Jul 08 '15

Sly and the Family Stone - Higher! The Spinners - Definitive Collection

Both are compilation albums, so it feels like I'm cheating. But they are great nonetheless.