Funky Fridays . . . .

Funk music originated in the mid-1960s, with James Brown’s development of a signature groove that emphasized the downbeat—with a heavy emphasis on the first beat of every measure (“The One”), and the application of swung 16th notes and syncopation on all basslines, drum patterns, and guitar riffs. 

Rock- and psychedelia-influenced musicians Sly and the Family Stone and Parliament-Funkadelic fostered more eclectic examples of the genre beginning in the late 1960s.

Other musical groups developed Brown’s innovations during the 1970s and the 1980s bringing us the sound of Funky-Soul music, including Kool and the Gang,  Ohio Players, Fatback Band, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Earth, Wind & Fire, B.T. Express, Shalamar, With More, Lakeside, Dazz Band, The Gap Band, Slave, Aurra, Roger Troutman & Zapp, Con Funk Shun, Cameo, Bar-Kays and Chic.

My preschoolers would go wild for the clean versions of funky music! It was hilarious when it took them a few weeks to finally remember the correct name for this type of music. I love sharing old music with new listeners.

So, grab your platform shoes, and get ready to shake your groove-thang!

Peace ♥ Harmony, Cheryl