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If someone from a deserted island asked me for a contemporary example of funk music, “Basic Funk 101″ would be a prime choice.
This track by Maceo Parker, from the “School’s In” album 2005 typifies why he’s known for fronting “the funkiest orchestra” in the business.
From the get, scratch guitar licks by Bruno Speight…with “Skeet” Curtis and Jamal Thomas holdin’ it down on bass and drums, respectively, setting the tempo.

On top of all that is Maceo layin’ down the groove for the cookin’ horn section.
Other cats include Candy Dulfer on alto sax, Peter Weniger on tenor, Ron tooley on trumpet, Greg Boyer on trombone, and Morris Hayes on the Hammond B-3.
This jam is hittin’ for over 8 1/2 minutes , and will have you wearin’ it out.

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School’s In
2xLP BHM Records, 2005
Catalog # BHM 1007-1

Personnel include:

Maceo Parker (vocals, alto saxophone, percussion);

Candy Dulfer (vocals, alto saxophone);

Corey Parker (vocals);

Bruno Speight (guitar);

Peter Weniger (tenor saxophone);

Ron Tooley (trumpet);

Greg Boyer (trombone);

Morris Hayes (Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards);

Rodney “Skeet” Curtis (bass instrument);

Jamal Thomas (drums);

Martha High, Kip Blackshire, Sadie Hayes (background vocals).

1. To Be or Not to Be
2. Basic Funk: 101
3. What You Know About Funk?
4. ABC
5. Song For My Teacher
6. Speed Reading (It-Si-Hi-Ya)
7. What a Wonderful World
8. Arts & Crafts
9. Advanced Funk
10. I’m Gonna Teach You

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HEAR MORE CATS LIKE THIS

There’s a certain kind of jam to which mostly fellas respond. “Silly Putty” from the “Journey to Love” album on the Epic label 1977 is one them. A purely instrumental tune, it’s loaded with a funky attitude and Stanley Clarke’s approach is smokin’… with a vengance.

Previously, the acoustic/electric bass’ role was as an indistinct “fill” instrument relegated to the background, with a few exceptions. One had to listen quite closely to follow its’ musical contributions.

Stanley’s slap/pluck technique brings it front and center.

Complementing him is a supporting cast of jazz fusion allstars.
Chick Corea/George Duke on keyboards, John Mclaughlin/Jeff Beck/David Sancious on guitars. Lenny White/Steve Gadd on drums and percussion, and a real horn section, not synthesized comprised of John Faddis, Peter Gordon, Tom “Bones” Malone, Alan Rubin, Lew Soloff, and David Taylor, all integrated seamlessly.

Track Listing:

1. Silly Putty Clarke 4:40
2. Journey to Love Clarke, Geltman, Steinberg 4:54
3. Hello Jeff Clarke 5:16
4. Song to John Pt.1 Clarke, Corea 4:20
5. Song to John Pt.2 Clarke, Corea 6:05
6. Concerto for Jazz/Rock Orchestra, Pt. 1-4
Clarke 14:09

Personnel:

Jeff Beck Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
Earl Chapin Horn, Brass
John Clark Horn, Brass
Stanley Clarke Organ, Synthesizer, Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Arranger, Bass (Electric), Conductor, Gong, Guitar (Bass), Keyboards, Vocals, Multi Instruments, Bells, Producer, Bass (Acoustic), Piccolo Bass, Handbells
Chick Corea Piano, Keyboards
Bob Defrin Art Direction
George Duke Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Piano (Electric), Vocals, Clavinet, Moog Synthesizer, Bells, Arp, Mini Moog, Arp Odyssey, Arp String Ensemble
Jon Faddis Trumpet, Brass
Steve Gadd Percussion, Drums
Peter Gordon Horn, Brass
Bernie Kirsh Engineer
Tom “Bones” Malone Trombone, Brass
John McLaughlin Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar
Alan Rubin Trumpet, Brass
David Sancious Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String)
Ken Scott Producer, Engineer
Lew Soloff Trumpet, Brass
Jerry Solomon Assistant Engineer
David Taylor Trombone, Brass
Lenny White Drums
Wilmer Wise Horn, Brass

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What separated Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes apart from the rest of the jazz/fusion/funk cats were the vocal tracks. His brother, Donald could not only play the flute, he could blow!

Yeah, yeah I know you’ve got your fusion vocal cats like Flora Purim, Milton Nasciemento, Tania Maria and the rest.
Donald Smith is home grown, and his voice is tinged with a kind of native sultry swagger giving him a place of his own among vocalists of the time.

The title track”Renaissance” on the RCA label 1977 is my favorite Lonnie/Donald tune.

What makes this tune work along with the vocals is the excellent bass groove by Al Anderson, and slammin’ synth “string” arrangement by Lonnie, Horace Ott, and Leon Pendarvis.

On top of all this is Lonnie on acoustic/electric keyboard fills.

I’m tellin’ you fellas, you can melt some babes with this jam.

Unofficial lyric:

Now the time has come
And we all want to change the world you see
Now you know the peace
Of warmth, of love, for Which you can be

And you wonder why the world
Hasn’t shared this feeling too
Now you know, now you see,
And wonder why you are one of so few

And you soar and flow and the colors peak and so
you find
That every answer you sow
Yes is in your mind

The love for which you feel can bring this world
to be

So free, so free, so free,

So Be It!

COP DIS JAM

Track Listing:

1. Space Lady
2. Mardi Gras
3. Starlight And You
4. Mongotee
5. A Song of Love
6. Between Here and There
7. Renaissance

Personnel:

Al Anderson Bass
Gene Bertoncini Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar
Kenneth Bichel Synthesizer, Moog Synthesizer
Wilby Fletcher Drums
Guilherme Franco Percussion
Harvey Goldberg Engineer, Mixing
Brendon Griffin Liner Notes
Dave Hubbard Flute, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Lawrence Killian Conga
Acy Lehman Art Direction
Horace Ott Arranger
Leon Pendarvis Clavinet
Donald Smith Flute, Vocals
Lonnie Liston Smith Guitar, Piano, Piano (Electric), Vocals, Producer, Author, Mixing, Electronics
Bob Thiele Producer, Mixing

When the group recorded a live album for RCA in 1977, the lineup included Smith on piano and keyboards, his brother Donald on vocals, Dave Hubbard on tenor and soprano sax, Al Anderson on electric bass, Ronald Miller on electric guitar, and Hollywood Barker on drums — a lineup that, except for Lonnie Liston Smith himself, is totally different from the Cosmic Echoes lineup heard on 1973’s Astral Traveling.