Four Funky Records: Some Jazzy Soul and Electro Funk, 60s to 80s

Today I bring you some funky jazzy soul type stuff for your soul! as usual, i'll try to bring you something that you might not know already.

Willie Mitchell
"Ooh Baby You Turn Me On"
1967

Here is an rather excellent and relatively unknown 60s record by Multi instrumentalist and trumpeter, Willie Mitchell. Here we get a nice selection of 60s funky soul, including great versions of "sunny," "papa's got a brand new bag," and "RESPECT"

Jr. Walker and the All Stars
Live
1970

A great live record from 1970, the Motown era was ending, but they bring a nice version of "come see about me." I had to share (i know) i'm losing you though, probably my favorite on this one. great the whole way through, as was the previous record. they don't have bands like these anymore.

The Dramatics
"Watcha See is Whatcha Get"
1971

Wow, this band has never stopped being active since 1964, according to their wikipedia(which has never ever had incorrect information on it). I remember that I first heard them back in the 1990s on some snoop doggy dogg videeo on MTV- i mean, i guess you don't pass up that kinda gig? Anyway, this is their most classic song that I could think to share-might as well check out this SOUL TRAIN video version.

Zapp and Roger
"Mega Medley"
1985

Here is a classic vocoder funk group from my home state of Ohio, even though its one of the cities farthest from me-Dayton. Zapp was a group started in the late 70s by Two brothers, Roger and Larry "Zapp" Troutman. They used to be in the Bootsy Collins/Cincinnati funk circuit, but I don't think they changed their name to Zapp and Roger until the later years. Roger was known for his prevalent use of the TALK BOX and their biggest hits are on this mix medley, including more bounce to the ounce-which has been sampled on countless Hip Hop records. Roger contributed to the song, "California Love" by Tupac Shakur in the mid 90s, which would help relaunch their career, but unfortunately, these two brothers story would end very tragically, in a murder/suicide in 1999.

sorry to end that one on a bummer note...thanks for reading!