A Lovely Day Indeed...

*Songs are in throughout the text for today's post*

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That's right yawl! If you have not noticed already, there have been a few design changes here at The Funk. Done by the one, the only...DJ Mentos from Office Thug Graphic Designs reflect the funkiness that we are trying to spread around the globe. So Super Big Ups to Mentos for coming through in the clutch as usual. If you or anyone you know needs some seriously professional graphic work done, hit him up.

The Funk's employees went crate/file-sharing diggin' this weekend to bring to the masses some really good music in honor of our new look, and we found some real nice choice selections. I hope you all are enjoying the stuff we are posting (music/musings/advice/etc...) cause we enjoy presenting it to you. Now, on to the hits!

We are going to present today's selections by overall feel. First, to get you in the mood we have the Mellow Yellow funk...

Lamento - Nelson Riddle

Nelson Riddle was one of the most admired/versatile composer/arrangers of the post war era...(Read More).

The Morning Song - Les McCann

I was first introduced to this track (and to McCann) on DJ Mentos' excellent "I Believe In Music" mix cd that he put out a while back. Ever since then, I listen to this track as the first thing in the morning (shower CD radio steeze!). It starts the day off proper. Les has been doing his thing for a hot minute, and if you want to catch up with him, check out his website, here.

Happy Feelings - Maze feat. Frankie Beverly

We'll close out the Mellow Yellows with a classic by Frankie Beverly & Maze. This is one of those tracks that when you hear it (regardless of where you are or how you feel), it does it's best to put a smile on your face. I have loved FB&M since as far back as I can remember. I think my dad had a few of their records from his DJ days, but I'll have to check on that. Like most of the Maze tracks, the driving force behind this track is the slow-roll funk that can cause instantaneous "slow-groovin" to break out. So watch out where you peep this cause it'll make you wanna get up and groove with some co-workers/friends/random strangers.

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For the next few selections, we're gonna take it up a notch to a funkier place.

Cramp Your Style - All The People feat. Robert Moore

We all know what song this track was famously sampled by (if not, it's here). But did you know that it was also used by the following?:

Blackstreet's "Call Me"
Compton's Most Wanted's "Growin' up in the 'Hood" (Remix)
Cypress Hill's "Real Estate"
Del's "Made in America"
Downtown Science's "Radioactive"
LL Cool J's "Mr. Goodbar"
Pete Nice & Daddy Rich's "Kick the Bobo"
Redman's "Down Wit Us"
Saukrates's "Still Kaught Up"
X-Clan's "Holy Rum Swig"
Yo-Yo's "Black Pearl"

I wasn't able to find much in the way of a bio/history for All The People so I can't go into detail about thier career. But as KRS said, "Making funky music is a must!".

Hot Pants pt. 1 &2 - 20th Century

Funky, Funky, Funky, and Funky...For the record, I hope that they bring back hot pants again this summer. I know a few females that would kill dude's necks if they would rock those things. But I also know a few who would scar dudes for life if they tried to get into some hot pants...definitely not Classy Freddie Blassie. I'm not sure who the singer is on this thing but she gives Marva Whitney a run for her money. She firmly states to the listener, that "They Called Them Hot Pants, And There's Big Hips In 'Em"...hot diggity damn!

Soulful Proclamation - Messenger's Inc.

The Messengers Inc. have the 4 required parts to make a funk jam that people will remember and if they are lucky, want to sample. First, is the drum. Now this song doesn't have a break really that highlights the drum but the snare work is excellent in my opinion. Second, the horn is a very important part of the funk/soul song. Proclamation does the horn section proud with it's use of the horns. Third, the guitar gives this track the rhythm version of a Jason Kidd assist. Finally, an easily remember chorus/refrain. The Messengers get that one right seeing that the song's lyrics are one big chorus. But if you take parts 1-3 and put them into a funky intro...bam! There is your sample.

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Lastly, we'd like to give you some upbeat funky stuff to take you through the rest of your Monday.

Add A Cipher - J.Live

J-Live, Justice, J. Cadet...all in the same and all friggin dope. Some folks may disagree with this but to me, J-Live is the dopest emcee out. Yes, I said it...and I believe it. Let's run through the list real quick.
1. Lyrical Creativeness (Check)
2. Relative Subject Matter (Check)
3. Good Music (Check)
Bonus: Can cut his own records while spittin'? (Check)

Anyhow, Live is one of those cats who defys the modern day view of rappers as unintelligent bums. I'ma do an entire post on the Live One soon so I'll get more in depth but enjoy this joint off the "Always Will Be" CD.

Lean On Me (Remix) - Club Nouveau

A very go-go funky-ish remix to the classic Bill Withers joint. I can't recall if this song came out at the same time as the movie "Lean On Me" did or not (it's not on the soundtrack) but it sort of sounds right for the '89 era. Just a solid remix to funk out to. Club Nouveau's bio is here.

Welcome - The Unspoken Heard

Asheru & Blue Black make up the super underground group Unspoken Heard. Check out this for thier bio if you are unfamiliar with their work. Just another example of how True Skool Hip Hop does it righteous.

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So there you have it. A new look and some newly dug gems for yawl to sink your teeth into. Make sure you check out our links section for more of the goodness that is available on the web, you'll be doing you and your brain a public service.

I know someone who finds this man attractive...

Hope yawl have a funktafied Monday cause I know I will.

Funk Fo' Life!
Brother B.

*Mentos, is it funky enough? Affirmative.