List some of yall favorite underrated disco or funk songs.
Mines are:
One Way-Dynomite (I remembered hearing this song played at my house constantly when it came out in 1983 from my crib)
Others
Al Hudson-You Can Do It
Aurra-Checking You Out (12 Version)
Aurra-Just A Little Love
Bill Summers & Summer Heat-At the Concert
Bill Summers & Summer Heat-We call it the box
Brandi Wells-Watch Out
Brass Construction-Get up to get down
Brick-Aint gonna hurt nobody
Brick-Push Push
Brother's Johnson-Aint we funkin now
Brother's Johnson-Light up the night
Cameo-I Like it
Cameo-Rigor Mortis
Chic-Hangin Out
Chocolate Milk-Blue Jeans
Con Funk Shun-Chase Me
Con Funk Shun-Shake and Dance with me
Dazz Band-Keep it live
Donald Byrd-Happy Music
Fatback-Backstroking
Fatback-Kool Whip
Janet Jackson-Young Love
Tom Browne-Thigh High
Jerry Knight-Fire and Overnight Sensation
Young and Company-I Like What you're doing to me
Zapp & Roger-Do It Roger
Lakeside-From Nine Until
Vaughan Mason & The Crew-You Can Do It and Big Guitar
Unlimited Touch-Good Loving
The Chapparrals-Shake Your Head
Teena Marie-It must be magic
Mtume-Green Light
Sharon brown - i specialize in love
Rick James-Ghetto Life

one way-mr. groove
brick-we don't wanna siddown we wanna giddown
lakeside-outrageous
slave-steal your heart
earth wind & fire-serpentine fire
war-heartbeat
kool & the gang-funky stuff

dewalliz said:

Do It, Roger, Ghetto Life and Shake And Dance With Me are all good picks . Lemme add some of my own now...
Parliament - Wizard Of Finance
Rick James - Make Love To Me
Bootsy Collins - Very Yes

***"Anybody Wanna Party" by Gloria Gaynor (1979)---her other 1979 hit "I Will Survive" got all the attention,but I prefer this song.

***"Behind The Groove" by Teena Marie (1980)---forget "Lovergirl",this is the Teena that I like! Her funkiest jam yet.

***"Disco Dancin" by A Taste Of Honey (1978)

***"Walkin Into Sunshine" by Central Line (1981)

***"Mine All Mine" by Cashflow (1986)

***"Is This The Best" by L.A. Boppers (1980)

***"Gangsters Of The Groove" by Heatwave (1980)---it seems that people forgot about Heatwave after their first two albums,but they entered the 80s with several hot jams.

***"Love Has Come Around" by Donald Byrd (1981)

***"Try It Out" by Gino Soccio (1981)---please tell me that one of you remembers this jam,from the summer of 1981

***"Bon Bon Vie" by T.S. Monk (1980)

***"Sun Is Here" by Sun (1977)

***"Out The Box" by the Whispers (1979)

***"Best Beat In Town" by Switch (1979)---they're known for their ballads and slow jams,but on this tune,they got a little funky.

***"The Jungle (medley)" by War (1982)

***"Bottoms Up" by Chi Lites (1982)---yes,the Chi-Lites! Who remembers this slammin' funk jam?

***"Thighs High" by Tom Browne (1981)

some more...

***"Stage Fright" by Chic (1981)

***"High Hopes" by S.O.S Band (1982)---this is my favorite song by them

***"Down To Love Town" by the Originals (1976)---a somewhat forgotten disco jam

***"Crying" by Instant Funk (1979)

***"Dirty Dancer" by Bar Kays (1984)---yeah,it sounds alot like Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean",but it's still a great song

***"Love's Comin' At Cha" by Melba Moore (1982)---this song was the beginning of her early 80s comeback.Produced by Kashif and it has his unmistakable sound.

***"(You Got To) Keep On Bumpin" by Kay Gees (1974)---I often mention this song to people and they have no idea what I'm talkin' about,lol.It's a blistering funk jam that goes on forever.If you like Kool and The Gang's sound from this period,you will love this song.The Kay Gees were produced by one of the members in Kool and The Gang,if I'm not mistaken.

***"Let's Dance" by Pleasure (1976)

***"Shake" by GQ (1981)---these guys are known for their 1979 disco hit "Disco Nights (Rock Freak)",but "Shake" is just as infectious.

***"Humpin" by The Gap Band (1980)

***"Remote Control" by the Reddings (1980)

***"It's Your Night" by Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio (1981)

***"Rock Creek Park" by the Blackbyrds (1976)---doing it in the park....doing it after dark...oh yeah...Rock Creek Park,oh yeah,Rock Creek Park

***"Pull/Fancy Dancer" by One Way (1982)

***"Off The Wall" by Michael Jackson (1979)---hard to believe,but even Michael Jackson has some singles that are underrated,lol.This is one of his hits that doesn't get the praise it deserves,imo.It's a terrific song,the perfect balance between disco and soul.

***"Big Time" by Rick James (1980)

***"Agony of Defeet" by Parliament (1980)

***"Your Love Is On The One" by Lakeside (1980)---from their 'Fantastic Voyage' album,it was overshadowed by the massively popular title track.

***"C.O.D. (I'll Deliver)" by Mtume (1984)---very sexy song.Reminiscent of their 1983 hit "Juicy Fruit"

***"Tee Nine Chee Bit" by Earth Wind and Fire (1974)---released as a single but surprisingly,it didn't do that well.It's one of the funkiest tracks they've ever done.From the excellent 'Open Our Eyes' album.

***"Body Lovers" by Con Funk Shun (1981)

***"Open Sesame" by Kool and The Gang(1976)

***"Welcome To The Club" by Brothers Johnson (1982)

***"Clouds" by Chaka Khan (1980)---when was the last time you heard this song on an Oldies R&B station?

***"Radiation Level" by Sun (1979)

***"Wait For Me" by Slave (1981)

***"Do It Good" by A Taste Of Honey (1979)

***"We've Got Love" by Peaches and Herb(1979)---a fine single that got overshadowed by their other two hits from '79: "Shake Your Groove Thing" and "Reunited".Great song with a wonderful bridge.

I have a couple that are sort of special to me...

"Walk the Night" by the Skatt Bros.

"Star Love" by Cheryl Lynn

"Put Your Feet to the Beat" by The Ritchie Family

"Music, Harmony, and Rhythm" by Brookyln Dreams

"Dance, Freak, and Boogie" by Nitelife Unlimited

"Like an Eagle" by Dennis Parker
[Edited 2/17/06 7:15am]

"Do It Good" A Taste of Honey
"Rescue Me" A Taste of Honey
"Good High" Brick
"Speed of Love" EWF

it's all the way live-lakeside
whatcha gonna do for me?-chaka khan
haven't you heard?-patrice rushen
firecracker-mass production
reach for it-george duke
hard to get-rick james
fopp-ohio players
the boss-james brown
ce'st chic-chic

Jamiroquai - Main Vein.

I'm Ready - Kano
Call It What You Want - Bill Summers and Summers Heat
Sweat (Till You Get Wet) - Brick
Emergency - The Whispers
Something About You - Ebonee Webb
Traffic Jammer - The Barkays
Reaction Satisfaction (Jam Y'all, Funk It Up) - Sun
Keep On It - Starpoint
Got To Be Enough - Con-Funk-Shun
Come Into My Life - Rick James
All Night Thing - Invisible Man's Band
Right In The Socket - Shalamar
Up On Soul Train - The Whispers
Computer Games - Yellow Magic Orchestra
Firecracker - Mass Production
Wide Receiver - Michael Henderson
Rough Rider - Lakeside
The Gigolo - O'Bryan
Funtown USA - Rafael Cameron
Body Fever - The Barkays
She's Got To Be A Dancer - Jerry Knight
I've Just Begun To Love You - Dynasty
Nobody Knows - Ashford and Simpson
Jam The Box - Skyy
Jam The Box - Bill Summers and Summers Heat
Thighs High - Tom Browne
Wikka Wrap - The Evasions
Drop The Bomb - Trouble Funk
In The Mix - Slim
Nasty Rock - The P Crew
Get Down, Get Funky, Get Loose - Teddy Pendergrass
Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - Indeep
Keep It Hot - Cameo
Too Tight - Con-Funk-Shun
Future Shock - Curtis Mayfield
Foxy Lady - Graham Central Station
Too Hot Ta Trot - The Commodores
Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll - Vaughn Mason and Crew
Push, Push - Brick
Sexy Dancer - Prince
Your Love Is On The One - Lakeside
For Those That Like To Groove - Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio
Did I Hear You Say You Love Me - Stevie Wonder
Turn Up The Music - Mass Production
Electricity - Midnight Star
Sound Chaser - Paul Hardcastle
Sticky Situation - Tyrone Brunson
Change Of Heart - Change
Encore - Cheryl Lynn
Action - Everlyn "Champaign" King
Do You Wanna Go Party - KC and the Sunshine Band
Rockit - Lipps, Inc.
Do Ya Wanna Funk - Sylvester
Sunset People - Donna Summer
The Groove Line - Heatwave
Hot Number - Foxy
Makin' It - David Naughton
Don't Let Go - Isaac Hayes
Just Keep Thinking About You - Tata Vega
Loving Is Really My Game - Brainstorm
Can't Turn You Loose - Aretha Franklin
Star Love - Cheryl Lynn
Wild Night - One Way
Bedrock - Glass
Seventeen - Bill Summers and Summers Heat
Wild And Loose - The Time
Nunk (New Wave Funk) - Warp 9
Space Is The Place - The Jonzun Crew
The Beat Goes On - Orbit
Invasion - Ray Parker, Jr.
Must Be The Music - Secret Weapon
Throwdown - Griffith
99 1/2 - Carol Lynn Townes
Body Snatchers - Midnight Star
Bad Times - Captain Rapp
Too Hot To Be Cool - Ebonee Webb
Got To Get Up On It - Bobby Nunn
Turn The Music Up - Lakeside
Money Talks - Rick James
Play Some Blues - Zapp
Who's Stickin' It - Sunrize
The Real Deal - The Isley Brothers
Do Something - Goodie
You Got The Power - War
Body Slam - Bootsy Collins
Your Thing Is Your Thing - New Horizons
Lady Cab Driver - Prince
She Talks To Me With Her Body - The Barkays

The list goes on and on.....

vainandy said:

Good List Vainandy! Half of the songs you got on here I already had but there are others on the list that I am going to get.

DavidEye said:

Good list too Davideye. Damn yall got some good funk taste! I do too like Behind the Groove better than lover girl. I forgot to add Donald Byrd Love has come around on the list and that is my joint.
[Edited 2/17/06 13:43pm]

DavidEye said:

I remember Try It Out and Bottoms Up. Try It Out is a cut.

vainandy said:

Showoff.

DavidEye said:

Are u kidding, man? Summer of '81 was one of the best in terms of music. Of course I remember that jam!

If no one has said "Bustin' Out," I'd offer that.

Also,

"More Peas," the full 13-minute version.

"A Love Bizarre," the full 12-minute version.

" or $"

"La La La, He He Hee" -- the extended version

"Scarlet Pussy" -- the extended version

'Fencewalk" -- Mandrill

Illusion - Imagination

uPtoWnNY said:

Indeed! In the past,I have done threads devoted to the summer of '81.So many hot jams that summer!!

minneapolisgenius said:

I'm guessing that you have the Casablanca Records 4-CD box set?

all of those songs are included.

dewalliz said:

Donald Byrd's "Love Has Come Around" is a favorite of mine,but can you believe that I haven't heard it since 1981??!! I gotta find that song NOW!!

Step Back In Time (Walkin Rhythm Mix)

I remember it well....

Jam jam jam it on the left
Jam jam jam it on the right

Mooooove that bottom
Shoo be doo wap that bottom
.
.
[Edited 2/20/06 5:56am]

vainandy said:

you remember their other big hit in the 80s,"Hot On A Thing (Called Love)" from 1981?

"First Time Around" by Skyy (1979)

"Murphy's Law" by Cheri (1982)

"Don't Push,Don't Force It" by Leon Haywood (1980)

"The Ghost Of Love" by Tavares (1978)---a song that should have become a disco classic.It was produced by Freddie Perren (a red-hot producer at the time),it follows Tavares huge 'Saturday Night Fever' hit "More Than A Woman",and it is a fantastic track.I wonder why it didn't catch on with the public?

"Come Go With Me" by the Pockets (1977)

"Dance With You" by Carrie Lucas (1979)

"High On Your Love/Suite" by Rick James (1979)---one of his singles that is completely forgotten.It never even appears on the numerous hits compilations.

"Dancin' Free" by The Brothers Johnson (1981)---this was the second single from their self-produced 'Winners' album.Great disco jam (reminiscent of "Stomp") that got ignored.

"Hot Number" by Foxy (1978)---I'm sick of hearing everybody rave about "Get Off".Yes,it's a kickass jam,but so is "Hot Number"!

"On The Beat" by BB & Q Band (1981)---are you ready or not,it's only up the street....everybody's dancin and everybody's on the beat

"Razzamatazz" by Quincy Jones featuring Patti Austin (1981)---another jam from the amazing summer of '81

"You're Too Late" by Fantasy (1981)

DavidEye said:

Actually David, High On Your Love Suite does appear on one Rick James compilation, namely The Ultimate Collection

http://www.allmusic.com/c...rx282t054a

Vainandy and DavidEye: You guys overwhelm me. Where does one begin to find these songs? I have a few of them, but are there any decent compilations that anybody could recommend?

It's a shame because I think Teena Marie is highly underrated when it comes to the Funk. She was and is a Funk Goddess.

Most definately. I think we've got the same record collection.

Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot on a thing
You got me hot so hot on a thing
And I boiling over baby
Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot on a thing.....on a thing....on a thing.....
Called loooove.....oh, love love love.....
.
.
[Edited 2/22/06 14:30pm]

DavidEye said:

Wow! Are you kidding? I just played that song last week! It took me three years to find that song and who sang it. Back in 1998 my local radio station did a funk megamix and Donald's song started the megamix. I really liked the song so much but of course the DJ never name all the artists and songs on the megamixes. But unfortinutely at the time I didnt know who sing the song. Then three years, as I was downloading all the funk songs that I like, by accident I discovered Love has come around as I was going through my funk list that I needed to download. So at least I am happy.

What about that song called Time by that group named Stone? Anyone know what I am talking about? I think it came around back in 1981? Another good funkish type of song.