A lot of historions credit James Brown "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" from early 1965 or his "Out of Sight" from the summer of 64 as the first funk records. Up until now, I would agree with them until I heard an earlier James Brown records.

This record came from mid-1962 and it wasn't a major hit on the pop charts #93 and didn't even chart on the black side. It's a cut titled "I've Got Money." For those who have heard it, what do y'all think of ot.

You might check out The Roots Of Funk as well

http://www.amazon.com/Yo-...B00000338K

Another JB song from around the same time period is "Signed Sealed and Delivered." (not the Stevie track)

"Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" is the one. The other shits is proto-funk.

JB "Papa Got A Brand New Bag" and maybe Jr Walker and the All-Stars "Shotgun"

jasco82 said:

The "first" funk record is from Pigmeat Martin 1956 "Here Comes The Judge"

Pigmeat was funkin' before JB even thought of it. And he is the true and original rapper. His rapping even on that track sound like it does today.
Check it out for yourself. Pigmeat even beat JB to the Apollo.
This is the guy JB imitated. He never got any credit. PM has since passed on.

Thumparello said:

I meant Pigmeat Markham.

Thumparello said:

Actually "Here comes the judge" was released in 1968 on Chess Records, not in 1956. That places it three years after "Papa's bag".

In regards to the original question, "Papa's bag" is definetely the first true funk record. There have been some funky records before, like JB's "Outta sight", but "Papa's bag" is the one!