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Thread started 11/17/07 3:55am

thebanishedone

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what funk band had the best musicians

my vote goes to mandrill probably the best musicians ever to play funk in fact their music was more fusion.
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Reply #1 posted 11/17/07 6:28am

prettymansson

HEADHUNTERS !
Ohio Players !
Roy Ayers Ubiquity !
The JBs
ect ect ect ect ect...
[Edited 11/17/07 6:30am]
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Reply #2 posted 11/17/07 6:53am

Harlepolis

prettymansson said:

Roy Ayers Ubiquity!
The JBs


nod

George Clinton's Funkadelic/Parliament
The Funk Brothers
The Bar-Kays
Zapp
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Reply #3 posted 11/17/07 7:16am

namepeace

Not a true blue funkateer, but I could say the JBs and not regret it.
Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016

Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder
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Reply #4 posted 11/17/07 7:41am

2freaky4church
1

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The Bee Gees. giggle
All you others say Hell Yea!! woot!
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Reply #5 posted 11/17/07 9:49am

carlcranshaw

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Earth Wind and Fire. (Go listen to Gratitude.)
‎"The first time I saw the cover of Dirty Mind in the early 80s I thought, 'Is this some drag queen ripping on Freddie Prinze?'" - Some guy on The Gear Page
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Reply #6 posted 11/17/07 9:58am

MrSoulpower

thebanishedone said:

my vote goes to mandrill probably the best musicians ever to play funk in fact their music was more fusion.


While Mandrill is one of my favorite bands, I disagree that they had the best musicians. The weight of the band was mainly carried by Carlos Wilson, who is a multi-instrumentalist. Omar Mesa, the guitar player, was pretty tight as well, and so was the kyeboarder Claude Cave. But the rest of the band is rather average. Ric Wilson, the sax player, is actually a pretty bad player which you can hear in his solos.

My vote goes for the James Brown Orchestra 1966- 1969. It has the most amazing musicians in Funk, among them Pee Wee Ellis (musical director, tenor sax), Maceo Parker (tenor sax), Clyde Stubblefield (drums), Jab'O Starks (drums), Melvin Parker (drums), Nate Jones (drums), Kush Griffith (trumpet), Tim Drummond (bass), Bernard Odum (bass), Waymon Reed (trumpet), St. Clair Pinckney (baritone sax), Alfonzo Kellum (guitar) and later Charles Sherrell (bass) and Fred Wesley (trombone). Part of the band were also the Flames with Bobby Byrd and Bobby Bennett.

These are probably the best Funk musicians who ever played together in one band!
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Reply #7 posted 11/17/07 10:01am

MrSoulpower

namepeace said:

Not a true blue funkateer, but I could say the JBs and not regret it.



The J.B.'s can't touch the James Brown Orchestra. In fact, the J.B.'s were rather loose and disorganized, not as tight as the Orchestra. And after their first album, Fred Wesley mainly used New York based studio musicians on the recordings, so most of the songs we know are not really the J.B.'s anyway.
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Reply #8 posted 11/17/07 10:19am

Graycap23

Have 2 be Jb. Bootsy, Maceo, .....
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Reply #9 posted 11/17/07 10:20am

Graycap23

MrSoulpower said:

thebanishedone said:

my vote goes to mandrill probably the best musicians ever to play funk in fact their music was more fusion.


While Mandrill is one of my favorite bands, I disagree that they had the best musicians. The weight of the band was mainly carried by Carlos Wilson, who is a multi-instrumentalist. Omar Mesa, the guitar player, was pretty tight as well, and so was the kyeboarder Claude Cave. But the rest of the band is rather average. Ric Wilson, the sax player, is actually a pretty bad player which you can hear in his solos.

My vote goes for the James Brown Orchestra 1966- 1969. It has the most amazing musicians in Funk, among them Pee Wee Ellis (musical director, tenor sax), Maceo Parker (tenor sax), Clyde Stubblefield (drums), Jab'O Starks (drums), Melvin Parker (drums), Nate Jones (drums), Kush Griffith (trumpet), Tim Drummond (bass), Bernard Odum (bass), Waymon Reed (trumpet), St. Clair Pinckney (baritone sax), Alfonzo Kellum (guitar) and later Charles Sherrell (bass) and Fred Wesley (trombone). Part of the band were also the Flames with Bobby Byrd and Bobby Bennett.

These are probably the best Funk musicians who ever played together in one band!

Co-sign. What year was Bootsy around?
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Reply #10 posted 11/17/07 10:24am

MrSoulpower

Graycap23 said:

Co-sign. What year was Bootsy around?


He got Bootsy in 1970 after the majority of the JB Orchestra (including Maceo) had walked out on him.
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Reply #11 posted 11/17/07 6:12pm

bobzilla77

My vote goes for the James Brown Orchestra 1966- 1969. It has the most amazing musicians in Funk, among them Pee Wee Ellis (musical director, tenor sax), Maceo Parker (tenor sax), Clyde Stubblefield (drums), Jab'O Starks (drums), Melvin Parker (drums), Nate Jones (drums), Kush Griffith (trumpet), Tim Drummond (bass), Bernard Odum (bass), Waymon Reed (trumpet), St. Clair Pinckney (baritone sax), Alfonzo Kellum (guitar) and later Charles Sherrell (bass) and Fred Wesley (trombone). Part of the band were also the Flames with Bobby Byrd and Bobby Bennett
.

That's my pick too. JBs are close behind though.
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Reply #12 posted 11/17/07 6:18pm

ThreadBare

Mint Condition gets my vote.
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Reply #13 posted 11/17/07 7:44pm

theAudience

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"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all."
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Reply #14 posted 11/17/07 7:47pm

theAudience

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For a group that's primarily an R&B/Funk band, i'll throw the musicians that played on these 2...



...Tower of Power albums into the mix.



If you're talking about a group that could also play Funk, then Herbie Hancock's Headhunters band...



...that played on these 2 albums wins hands down.

Herbie Hancock - keys
Bennie Maupin - woodwinds
Paul Jackson - bass
Bill Summers - percussion
Harvey Mason - drums
Mike Clark - drums


tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431
"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all."
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Reply #15 posted 11/17/07 8:29pm

LittleBLUECorv
ette

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MrSoulpower said:

thebanishedone said:

my vote goes to mandrill probably the best musicians ever to play funk in fact their music was more fusion.


While Mandrill is one of my favorite bands, I disagree that they had the best musicians. The weight of the band was mainly carried by Carlos Wilson, who is a multi-instrumentalist. Omar Mesa, the guitar player, was pretty tight as well, and so was the kyeboarder Claude Cave. But the rest of the band is rather average. Ric Wilson, the sax player, is actually a pretty bad player which you can hear in his solos.

My vote goes for the James Brown Orchestra 1966- 1969. It has the most amazing musicians in Funk, among them Pee Wee Ellis (musical director, tenor sax), Maceo Parker (tenor sax), Clyde Stubblefield (drums), Jab'O Starks (drums), Melvin Parker (drums), Nate Jones (drums), Kush Griffith (trumpet), Tim Drummond (bass), Bernard Odum (bass), Waymon Reed (trumpet), St. Clair Pinckney (baritone sax), Alfonzo Kellum (guitar) and later Charles Sherrell (bass) and Fred Wesley (trombone). Part of the band were also the Flames with Bobby Byrd and Bobby Bennett.

These are probably the best Funk musicians who ever played together in one band!

I love the James Brown Orchestra (or the James Brown Band) from that period, Amazing songs, James and the boys at their best. I'd even go back one year to 1965 when Papa's Got a Brand New Bag and I Got You (I Feel Good) were recorded (most of the backing band was still the same.)
[Edited 11/17/07 20:32pm]
PRINCE: Always and Forever
MICHAEL JACKSON: Always and Forever
-----
Live Your Life How U Wanna Live It
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Reply #16 posted 11/17/07 9:08pm

PFunkjazz

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For a funk band in a soul vein I'll go with the aforementioned James Brown Band/Orchestra. They were featured on many notable James Brown tunes and backed him live.


For funk in a jazz vein, I'll give the flying funk horns to Miles Davis' OTC era band. Musicians featured here went on to diversify funk on and beyond the dance floor.



Don Alias Percussion, Drums >> sessions with Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius, Joni Mitchell, Steely dan, David Sanborn
Khalil Balakrishna Sitar (Electric)
Chick Corea Keyboards, Fender Rhodes >> founder Return To Forever and Chick Corea Elektrik Band plus various jazz and fusions sessions
David Creamer Guitar
Jack DeJohnette Drums >> founder of Special Edition and New Directions bands as well many jazz sessions
Al Foster Drums >> first-choice of Miles Davis in his electric period into his 80s comeback
Carlos Garnett Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor) >> variety of jazz sessions with Andrw Hill, Norman Connors
Herbie Hancock Synthesizer, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes >> founder of Headhunters and various jazz and fusion sessions
Billy Hart Drums >>
Michael Henderson Bass >> featured as a lead male r&b/soul vocalist
Cedric Lawson Organ
Dave Liebman Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor) >> continued sessions with Miles Davis and led his own jazz and fusion projects
Reggie Lucas Guitar >> co-founder of Mtume and co-produced hits by Stephanie Mills and Madonna
Bennie Maupin Bass Clarinet, saxes >> joined Herbie Hancock Headhunters and various sesssions and his own recordings
John McLaughlin Guitar >> founder of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti and co-founder of Lifetime with Tony Williams
James Mtume Percussion >> co-founder of Mtume and co-produced hits by Stephanie Mills and Madonna
Badal Roy Tabla
Collin Walcott Sitar, Sitar (Electric) >> co-founder jazz/world music band Oregon
Harold "Ivory" Williams Keyboards
test
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Reply #17 posted 11/18/07 10:19am

MuthaFunka

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ThreadBare said:

Mint Condition gets my vote.

Sit down, Thready wink

I'd have to mention Slave into the mix because those cats had about 3,637 members and they could ALL jam! headbang
nWo: bboy87 - Timmy84 - LittleBlueCorvette - MuthaFunka - phunkdaddy - Christopher

MuthaFunka - Black...by popular demand
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Reply #18 posted 11/18/07 11:26am

ThreadBare

MuthaFunka said:

ThreadBare said:

Mint Condition gets my vote.

Sit down, Thready wink

I'd have to mention Slave into the mix because those cats had about 3,637 members and they could ALL jam! headbang



hmph!


Also, the Meters.
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Reply #19 posted 11/18/07 2:48pm

FuNkeNsteiN

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thebanishedone said:

my vote goes to mandrill probably the best musicians ever to play funk in fact their music was more fusion.

Their bassist 'Fudgie Kae' was pretty average, imo
It is not known why FuNkeNsteiN capitalizes his name as he does, though some speculate sunlight deficiency caused by the most pimpified white guy afro in Nordic history.

- Lammastide
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Reply #20 posted 11/18/07 4:41pm

phunkdaddy

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I came up with 5
EWF
Confunkshun
Barkays
Ohio players
Cameo
Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint
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Reply #21 posted 11/18/07 5:58pm

ThreadBare

... Not to mention the Turtles...

hey, "Happy Together" was a groove...
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Reply #22 posted 11/18/07 6:11pm

MrSoulpower

FuNkeNsteiN said:

thebanishedone said:

my vote goes to mandrill probably the best musicians ever to play funk in fact their music was more fusion.

Their bassist 'Fudgie Kae' was pretty average, imo


He was a great songwriter though. Unfortunately, he overdosed in 1975.
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Reply #23 posted 11/18/07 10:46pm

Scrapluv

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theAudience said:



If you're talking about a group that could also play Funk, then Herbie Hancock's Headhunters band...



...that played on these 2 albums wins hands down.

Herbie Hancock - keys
Bennie Maupin - woodwinds
Paul Jackson - bass
Bill Summers - percussion
Harvey Mason - drums
Mike Clark - drums


tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431


Word! I was listening to Thrust yesterday. I'll addd this one too


[Edited 11/18/07 22:47pm]
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Reply #24 posted 11/19/07 1:47am

woogiebear

MY TOP 10

1)SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
2)THE JB'S
3)THE METERS
4)OHIO PLAYERS
5)STONE CITY BAND
6)PARLIAMENT/FUNKADELIC
7)GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION
8)TOWER OF POWER
9)AVERAGE WHITE BAND'
10)EARTH WIND & FIRE
cool cool cool cool cool cool
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Reply #25 posted 11/19/07 8:57am

MsLegs

theAudience said:

.



If you're talking about a group that could also play Funk, then Herbie Hancock's Headhunters band...



...that played on these 2 albums wins hands down.

Herbie Hancock - keys
Bennie Maupin - woodwinds
Paul Jackson - bass
Bill Summers - percussion
Harvey Mason - drums
Mike Clark - drums

worship Oh yess. This is some serious Funk that was laid down. Some serious stank was put on the Herbie album's you mentioned TA.
[Edited 11/19/07 8:58am]
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Reply #26 posted 11/19/07 12:09pm

namepeace

MrSoulpower said:

namepeace said:

Not a true blue funkateer, but I could say the JBs and not regret it.



The J.B.'s can't touch the James Brown Orchestra. In fact, the J.B.'s were rather loose and disorganized, not as tight as the Orchestra. And after their first album, Fred Wesley mainly used New York based studio musicians on the recordings, so most of the songs we know are not really the J.B.'s anyway.


Good points, but I stand by my statement.
Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016

Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder
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Reply #27 posted 11/19/07 2:34pm

jackson35

thebanishedone said:

my vote goes to mandrill probably the best musicians ever to play funk in fact their music was more fusion.

my vote goes to the muscle shoales band that back up the stax artists back in yhe day.
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Reply #28 posted 11/19/07 2:57pm

LittleBLUECorv
ette

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jackson35 said:

thebanishedone said:

my vote goes to mandrill probably the best musicians ever to play funk in fact their music was more fusion.

my vote goes to the muscle shoales band that back up the stax artists back in yhe day.

Didn't Muscle Shoals mostly back up non-southern Stax artist?
PRINCE: Always and Forever
MICHAEL JACKSON: Always and Forever
-----
Live Your Life How U Wanna Live It
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Reply #29 posted 11/19/07 3:46pm

MrSoulpower

LittleBLUECorvette said:

jackson35 said:


my vote goes to the muscle shoales band that back up the stax artists back in yhe day.

Didn't Muscle Shoals mostly back up non-southern Stax artist?



Yeah .. the Muscle Shoals crew (and studio) was booked when Stax in Memphis was too busy. The main studio band for Stax was Booker T. & The MGs as well as cats like Isaac Hayes on piano.
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