I love the genre but don't have a clue where to begin. For example, what is the best Sly album to buy? Better yet, recommend 5 great funk albums (any era)that would be great listens from beginning to end.

Your help is appreciated

Screw getting the original albums. Get "The Very Best of" versions.

James Brown
Sly and the Family Stone
Parliament
Ohio Players
Gap Band
Zapp / Roger Troutman
Rick James

Dauphin said:

Co-sign.
I would add Prince's Crytal Ball

Dauphin said:

Compilations are fine as an introduction, but there are many artists who have plenty of great albums. Anyway, here are 5 I'd pick:

Gap Band - Gap Band III
James Brown - The Payback
Sly & The Family Stone - Stand
Cameo - Alligator Woman
Parliament - Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome

Thanks for some of the advice...

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[Edited 6/26/08 5:59am]

Compilation albums have their place, but unfortunately; many of the best funk songs never made it on any compilation album. Moreover, if you were interested in funk as a genre, you would miss much of the flavor if you go strictly for the compilations.

In the 70's, even some of the 1 minute segue’s helped to define the funk. That goes for B-Sides as well (which never make the compilation lists) as Prince has shown us.

Being limited to five albums is tough, but here is the short list:

• Cameo - Cameosis
  
• Funkadelic - Hardcore Jollies
  
• Captain Sky - Concerned Party #1
  
• Con Funk Shun - Secrets
  
• Bootsy's Rubber Band - Stretchin' Out
  

This is a MUST!

Hell, I'll even throw in a 6th one for you. A seriously underrated album by the funkiest band of the Post-Punk/New Wave era:

For a start....
[Edited 6/23/08 5:14am]

Dauphin said:

Good Recommendation of the "Best Of"
I would add:
Bootsy
Confunction
Barkays
Slave
Steve Arrington
The Time
George Duke (dukey stick)
Cameo

Sly & The Family Stone - There's A Riot Goin' On
Parliament - Mothership Connection
Parliament - Funkentelechy Vs. The Placebo Syndrome
Rick James - Street Songs
Slave - Stone Jam
James Brown - The Payback
James Brown - Hell
Bootsy's Rubber Band - Stretchin' Out In Bootsy's Rubber Band
Bootsy's Rubber Band - Ahh... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!
Bootsy's Rubber Band - Bootsy? Player Of The Year
Ohio Players - Skin Tight
Ohio Players - Fire
Ohio Players - Honey

I tried making my list short-ish as not to overwhelm you
Here are some funk essentials. Go grab 'em!
If these albums don't move you, you need to be listening to something else than funk




[Edited 6/23/08 7:17am]

Graycap23 said:

... and by 'Confuction' he means 'Con Funk Shun'

Dauphin said:

Worst piece of advice on this thread, most definitely

Some funk albums have that perfect flow, and really need to be heard in the original context. Also, there are lots of albums that are actually very good from beginning to end. 'Best Of' collections always omit great album cuts in favor of the bigger hits, even though the lesser known album cuts are sometimes far superior.

FuNkeNsteiN said:

Actually, its helpful alot of times at least in my case

Too much greatness might be overwhelming. An overview however, will help you go back and check your fave period of the artist.

Harlepolis said:

That's what I said. It's also the only way to find some tracks easily.
[Edited 6/23/08 7:31am]

AlexdeParis said:

Actually, yes, for some artists that have very long careers and have recorded for multiple labels, say JB for example, a career overview is not a bad thing. Helps you choose your favorite era, so to speak.
So I agree with you two, to some extent. Still, the best way to really get to known an artist is checking out their best complete albums

Oh and, don't you two agree that "screw getting the original albums", is complete bs?

FuNkeNsteiN said:

lol.....yes.

FuNkeNsteiN said:

Of course.


Most definitely.

FuNkeNsteiN, you're mighty too young to be acting Vainyandy-ish

Harlepolis said:

Prince and the NPG: Exodus

Graycap23 said:

Couldn't disagree with you more

FuNkeNsteiN said:

lol. U don't like that one?

Graycap23 said:

Not really feeling that album.

FuNkeNsteiN said:

Do u like any of it?

Graycap23 said:

I remember liking one song or two, I'll have to give it another spin tomorrow. I'm visiting my folks and have a four and half hour train ride back home so I'll have plenty of time to re-examine 'Exodus'

FuNkeNsteiN said:

U might discover a gem or 6.

Junie Morrison-Bread Alone

i always recommend this one.