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Thread started 06/07/06 4:53pm

wonder505

Confused about the word "Funk"

I've been avoiding Musicology CD like a plague because it kept on being described as a funk type album. I thought the whole album was just like the song "Musicology", you know that James Brown type funk, which I can listen to but only for a minute or two.

However..for the first time I actually listened to some samples of Musicology and was surprised how much it reminded me of Sign O'Times. Many of the cuts had that "If I Was Ur Girlfriend" vibe to it which I really like. I don't know what you will call that sound (musicians wanna help me out?) I guess "funk" or "funky" captures many different sounds.
[Edited 6/7/06 16:54pm]
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Reply #1 posted 06/07/06 5:50pm

newpowergenera
tion

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Yeah mate... if U can describe it... it ain't funky!
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Reply #2 posted 06/08/06 12:05am

prettymansson

jesus fucking christ.. eek
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Reply #3 posted 06/08/06 12:55am

lazycrockett

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to even put sign o the times in the same sentance as musicooooology is just wrong on so many levels.
The Most Important Thing In Life Is Sincerity....Once You Can Fake That, You Can Fake Anything.
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Reply #4 posted 06/08/06 12:59am

NouveauDance

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lazycrockett said:

to even put sign o the times in the same sentance as musicooooology is just wrong on so many levels.


I know that's right....
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Reply #5 posted 06/08/06 1:53am

Renato

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If you want to avoid the Funk you have to avoid popular music altogether and the Funk will still be there. I bet you already like it without even knowing it... wink
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Reply #6 posted 06/08/06 3:43am

metalorange

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Virtually every Prince album is a kaleidoscopic mix of funk/disco/R&B/rock/soul/jazz/blues whatever, if you think that an entire Prince album is going to have one single vibe to it, you mustn't have listened to many Prince albums yet!

Funk has many forms these days that it is hard to put a definitive definition on it - I would say practically everything in the pop charts uses 'funk' one way or another, if only in distinctive percussive beats. I really don't know how anyone can avoid 'funk' these days...
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Reply #7 posted 06/08/06 4:38am

wonder505

NouveauDance said:

lazycrockett said:

to even put sign o the times in the same sentance as musicooooology is just wrong on so many levels.


I know that's right....



PLEASE RE-READ MY MESSAGE: I did not say it was as good as Sign O Times. I was talking about how some of the cuts on Musicology had a similar SOUND as some on Sign O Times.
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Reply #8 posted 06/08/06 4:43am

wonder505

metalorange said:

Virtually every Prince album is a kaleidoscopic mix of funk/disco/R&B/rock/soul/jazz/blues whatever, if you think that an entire Prince album is going to have one single vibe to it, you mustn't have listened to many Prince albums yet!

Funk has many forms these days that it is hard to put a definitive definition on it - I would say practically everything in the pop charts uses 'funk' one way or another, if only in distinctive percussive beats. I really don't know how anyone can avoid 'funk' these days...


Thanks, but I don't see where I implied in my message that I expect all Prince albums to sound the same. My point was how many use the word funk to describe music but as you state it can have many forms.
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Reply #9 posted 06/08/06 4:44am

luv4all7

prettymansson said:

jesus fucking christ.. eek

mad
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Reply #10 posted 06/08/06 4:47am

wonder505

luv4all7 said:

prettymansson said:

jesus fucking christ.. eek

mad


Wow you use that kind of expletive and a mad icon over this? With all that's going on in the world? Gimme a break.
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Reply #11 posted 06/08/06 4:48am

SexyBeautifulO
ne

metalorange said:

Virtually every Prince album is a kaleidoscopic mix of funk/disco/R&B/rock/soul/jazz/blues whatever, if you think that an entire Prince album is going to have one single vibe to it, you mustn't have listened to many Prince albums yet!

Funk has many forms these days that it is hard to put a definitive definition on it - I would say practically everything in the pop charts uses 'funk' one way or another, if only in distinctive percussive beats. I really don't know how anyone can avoid 'funk' these days...


disbelief Just because the crap that's called music today USES funk, that doesn't make it FUNK.

True Funk Soldiers, testify!!
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Reply #12 posted 06/08/06 4:59am

luv4all7

wonder505 said:

luv4all7 said:


mad


Wow you use that kind of expletive and a mad icon over this? With all that's going on in the world? Gimme a break.


I wasn't reffering to this thread. Read what I have quoted.....Hello!?!?! What does that have to do w/you?
[Edited 6/8/06 5:07am]
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Reply #13 posted 06/08/06 5:01am

metalorange

avatar

SexyBeautifulOne said:

metalorange said:

Virtually every Prince album is a kaleidoscopic mix of funk/disco/R&B/rock/soul/jazz/blues whatever, if you think that an entire Prince album is going to have one single vibe to it, you mustn't have listened to many Prince albums yet!

Funk has many forms these days that it is hard to put a definitive definition on it - I would say practically everything in the pop charts uses 'funk' one way or another, if only in distinctive percussive beats. I really don't know how anyone can avoid 'funk' these days...


disbelief Just because the crap that's called music today USES funk, that doesn't make it FUNK.

True Funk Soldiers, testify!!


I never said using funk makes it funk. I just said a lot of pop music uses funk.
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Reply #14 posted 06/08/06 5:29am

PurpleCharm

I must not know what funk is because I haven't heard funk in popular music in years.
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Reply #15 posted 06/08/06 5:46am

ThreadBare

wonder505 said:

However..for the first time I actually listened to some samples of Musicology and was surprised how much it reminded me of Sign O'Times. Many of the cuts had that "If I Was Ur Girlfriend" vibe to it which I really like. I don't know what you will call that sound (musicians wanna help me out?) I guess "funk" or "funky" captures many different sounds.



I think you're hearing similar production. For example "What Do U Want Me 2 Do?" is my favorite cut on Musicology, for its sheer homage to his 1980s production sound. It's like "Son of the Ballad of Dorothy Parker" -- between the tight Linn drum machine patterns and his slammin' work on the bass. It's a funky, breezy song. And the Italian outro reminds me a bit of IIWYG's bridal shop salesman.

So, I see what wonder505 means.
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Reply #16 posted 06/08/06 5:47am

ThreadBare

PurpleCharm said:

I must not know what funk is because I haven't heard funk in popular music in years.


It crops up on Nikka Costa, Anthony Hamilton, Rahsaan Patterson and Mint Condition CDs. Keep your eyes and ears open. smile
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Reply #17 posted 06/08/06 5:57am

wonder505

luv4all7 said:

wonder505 said:



Wow you use that kind of expletive and a mad icon over this? With all that's going on in the world? Gimme a break.


I wasn't reffering to this thread. Read what I have quoted.....Hello!?!?! What does that have to do w/you?
[Edited 6/8/06 5:07am]


Oh I see, I'm sorry and I totally agree. smile
[Edited 6/8/06 5:59am]
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Reply #18 posted 06/08/06 6:04am

luv4all7

wonder505 said:

luv4all7 said:



I wasn't reffering to this thread. Read what I have quoted.....Hello!?!?! What does that have to do w/you?
[Edited 6/8/06 5:07am]


Oh I see, I'm sorry and I totally agree. smile
[Edited 6/8/06 5:59am]

No harm done! hug
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Reply #19 posted 06/08/06 6:13am

PurpleCharm

ThreadBare said:

PurpleCharm said:

I must not know what funk is because I haven't heard funk in popular music in years.


It crops up on Nikka Costa, Anthony Hamilton, Rahsaan Patterson and Mint Condition CDs. Keep your eyes and ears open. smile


funk-lite but not heavy-hitting funk...IMO cool
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Reply #20 posted 06/08/06 6:14am

ThreadBare

PurpleCharm said:

ThreadBare said:



It crops up on Nikka Costa, Anthony Hamilton, Rahsaan Patterson and Mint Condition CDs. Keep your eyes and ears open. smile


funk-lite but not heavy-hitting funk...IMO cool


MC throws out some serious-grade funk, IMO. smile

I mean, true, there's always the Meters, Cameo, Ohio Players, etc. for the vintage stuff. But, you can find some reasonable facsimiles in today's music, too.
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Reply #21 posted 06/08/06 6:59am

kisscamille

lazycrockett said:

to even put sign o the times in the same sentance as musicooooology is just wrong on so many levels.


nod
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Reply #22 posted 06/08/06 8:32am

jone70

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SexyBeautifulOne said:

metalorange said:

Virtually every Prince album is a kaleidoscopic mix of funk/disco/R&B/rock/soul/jazz/blues whatever, if you think that an entire Prince album is going to have one single vibe to it, you mustn't have listened to many Prince albums yet!

Funk has many forms these days that it is hard to put a definitive definition on it - I would say practically everything in the pop charts uses 'funk' one way or another, if only in distinctive percussive beats. I really don't know how anyone can avoid 'funk' these days...


disbelief Just because the crap that's called music today USES funk, that doesn't make it FUNK.

True Funk Soldiers, testify!!



Let the church say amen! cool
The check. The string he dropped. The Mona Lisa. The musical notes taken out of a hat. The glass. The toy shotgun painting. The things he found. Therefore, everything seen–every object, that is, plus the process of looking at it–is a Duchamp.
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Reply #23 posted 06/08/06 8:47am

theodore

I don't like to categorize music. I love Musicology. To me Musicology is more of an R&B record, but, truly, Prince always mixes everything. When it comes to the Funk, to me, It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night - that's funk Uall. I don't know what Uall think.
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Reply #24 posted 06/08/06 10:14am

Graycap23

U don't dig FUNK?.....wow. I'm speechless on that one.
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Reply #25 posted 06/08/06 12:08pm

antoon

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There is something funky about this thread! headbang
555-4444 you're on coffee talk.
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Reply #26 posted 06/08/06 12:11pm

Gomp

I agree with wonder, the term 'funk' is vague, but so is 'blues'... People tend to think they're musical styles like jazz or rock, which just is not true. Rock has many blues-based elements, for instance.
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Reply #27 posted 06/08/06 12:17pm

pfunkpilot

You will know the Funk when the groove hits you. It will begin with a nodding of the head and progress into the very depths of your soul.The rhythyms and melodies of Funk will speak to a part of your inner being that you were unaware of.It is a feeling that cannot be properly expressed in words. Not everyone can feel the Funk. There are some who attempt to capture it artificially instead of just letting it happpen. This is why the greatest live shows are created from Funk.
Listen to the some great musicians-they are merely technicians. They are feeling nothing. Much like a beautiful lover who is boring in bed. That is why Prince is so good, He feels the Funk, he loves to bring his best out live, and he is amazing on the guitar.

Hope this helps you.
since Run & Them were saying "Here we go"
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Reply #28 posted 06/08/06 12:55pm

nammie

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pfunkpilot said:

You will know the Funk when the groove hits you. It will begin with a nodding of the head and progress into the very depths of your soul.The rhythyms and melodies of Funk will speak to a part of your inner being that you were unaware of.It is a feeling that cannot be properly expressed in words. Not everyone can feel the Funk. There are some who attempt to capture it artificially instead of just letting it happpen. This is why the greatest live shows are created from Funk.
Listen to the some great musicians-they are merely technicians. They are feeling nothing. Much like a beautiful lover who is boring in bed. That is why Prince is so good, He feels the Funk, he loves to bring his best out live, and he is amazing on the guitar.

Hope this helps you.


And Baby thats why they call you the PFUNKPILOT.
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Forums > Prince: Music and More > Confused about the word "Funk"