1. Slade – Get down with
it (Polydor 1972)
There were a lot of tracks who were part of
my way to what I listen today. But even listening to R&R and
Rock for a while in 1972 I heard in a friends house that shouter
"Noddy Holder" from Slade that let me feel it could down
my backbone which was only the 2nd time after "Bony Moronie"
live by Johnny Winter that this happened. Surprising putting this
top10 together I've noticed only today that this track was written
by "Bobby Marchan" – This is the link to Soul &
Funk & Soul-Jazz I'm into today ….
2. Herbie Hancock – Chameleon (Columbia 1974)
In the early to mid 70s, still being more
into R&R and Rock a DJ used to air Herbie Hancock along with
James Brown, Stevie Wonder and others. That song attracted me very
much, excellent Jazz-Funk but because of missing information I still
was not aware that there is more of such music that would be a reasonable
alternative to R&R, Rock and Blues a liked.
3. Funkadelic – Get off your ass and jam (Westbound 1975)
In 1982 I got into a new club (Dillons) which
brought 95% of songs I've never heard before. There it was, I've
heard first time what was a perfect mix of what I listened before
and what I seemed to have searched for during all the years before.
Top driving Funk/Funk-Rock.
4. Eddie Harris – Get on down (Atlantic 1975)
Along with "It's alright now" this
was another track I was faced with in that club. Driving jazz-funk,
a dance-floor filler those days. Eddie blows his sax in a way showing
us how important timing is to make it being and outstanding groove
track. One of those 10 to take to the island for the rest of my
life.
5. Lee Fields & The Devil's Personal Band – Funky screw
(Angle 3 197?)
It was while digging for LPs at a UK record
fair in 1984 that someone was playing this song over the speakers.
Ufff, what the hell was that? Can I have? "No – he was
first" the seller said and I noticed that someone was way faster
at that seller's table. Even though I noticed that it was on a 45
and I thought it's bad luck but as I was not having any 45s so far,
I might come over it not having it. It's still one of the best 'pure'
Funk tracks ever made.
6. Willie Bobo & The Bo-Gents – Broasted or fried (Sussex
1971)
Speaking of Latin-Soul-Jazz until the late
80s I preferred Mongo Santamaria, but the day I got that Sussex
album I knew that's another "all time top 10". For me
it's the most groovy soul-jazz track ever, excellent solos and with
that latin touch which makes me feel like being on the beach and
always having a good time. I suppose there is no other track I've
heard so many times over all the years.
7. Latin Breed – I turn you on (GC 1969)
Some years ago I bought that ultimate funk
groover. Man it was by far the most expensive 45 I've bought until
then. I was so exited because of the tough drums/bass groove, which
reminded me very much of Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady"
which had been a favourite of mine for a long time. Since then I
listen to both tracks and I know I will never be tired of listening
them.
8. Johnny Otis & The Johnny Otis Show - Fonkitup (Red Hot 197?)
As I like funk with a bluesy touch, this was
a bomb when I heard it for the first time, ordering it from a list
without knowing it. It's 101% the way funk should be – groovy,
fat sounding, with impressive not overloaded solos. I use it now
since a few years to DJ and it always packs the floor with it's
100 bpm groove.
9. Metropolis – Metropolis raw groove (Safe Music 1994)
This is mentioned because it's a perfect example
how two-sided/hearted many musicians/groups must have been. Known
for their more commercial like sounds this is a real New Funk bomb.
Tough rhythm, catchy solos – a perfect synthesis of Funk &
Jazz-Funk & Soul-Jazz.
10. New Mastersounds – Turn this thing around (Deep Funk 2001)
The best soul-funk track past 25 years. Along
with that very expressive female singer the excellent solos make
it to that what it is – "hardly to be beaten by another".
Sadly the track is not available on 45 … poor 45s only collectors
;-) … holding onto "female first" I decided for this
track even tough "Python" by Rev. Chunky would have belonged
on the list as well.
city you live in?
Steinerberg (village), Switzerland
how long you have been collecting?
Funk since 1982 (other styles since 1972)
most heart stopping find on a digging
session?
In summer 1988 at Baytown Records Berkeley CA, when Mark told me
to raise my finger every time I liked the 45s he played while I
was digging through the LPs. It resulted in buying Bobby Watkins,
LA Bare Faxx and many others during those sessions in his shop.
Or was it, when I got response on my wants-list giving me the chance
to buy for a reasonable price "Johnny King: Keep on brother"
along with "Believers: Mr. hot pants" (which turned out
to be one of the rarest funk 45s) and others from somebody called
"Drac", if I recall correctly.
top spots for record hunting?
In the past "Lists", today "Ebay" – or
simply good connections and trades
ebay, good or evil?
both, with an advantage on the 'good'
motown or stax?
Stax
sneakers or shoes?
shoes for dancing
creole or gumbo?
Creole
favourite tipple?
beside milk … it's "Baileys" or "Chateau Neuf
du Pape"
where can people see/hear you play?
local funk events in Luzern or from time to time at the Moods Club
Zürich – Switzerland or wherever I'm booked
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