Sometimes, I feel that funk/dance music from 1980-1983 is my favorite music of all. After all, it comprises my musical roots, as referenced in this ancient thread. However, being born in 1980, I wasn't aware of most of this music at the time of its release- I grew to know most of it in the years the followed. As such, I'm sure there are HUGE gaps in my knowledge of such music, and I figured there would be no better place than here to fill in these gaps!

I count among my all-time favorite songs the following:

Prince- "1999" (and pretty much everything from 1980-82)
Gap Band- "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", "Burn Rubber", "Early in the Morning", "Outstanding"
Mtume- "Juicy Fruit", "Hips", "Ready for Your Love", "Green Light"
Indeep- "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life"
Patrice Rushen- "Forget Me Nots", "All We Need"
George Clinton- "Atomic Dog", "Loopzilla/Man's Best Friend"
The Time- "Cool", "Get It Up", "The Stick", "777-9311"
Vanity 6- "Nasty Girl"
Mary Jane Girls- "All Night Long", "Candy Man", "Boys"
Rick James- "Give It to Me Baby"

So basically, a lot of sassy, snappy chicks and testosterone-laden dudes grooving out like nobody's business really gets me going! A few days ago, I heard Taana Gardner's "Heartbeat" for the first time, and I was completely and utterly blown away. How did I live my 29 years without knowing this?! As such, it has inspired this rather selfish thread.

So SoulAlive, vainandy, PFunkJazz, Harlepolis, tAudience, Cinnie, et al: help me get my groove on!

Born a year after the time period of this thread, but that era definetely has some of the best dance music..





..and for a bit of post-punk-funk!

And two more from Cristina.

"She's Just A Groupie" by Bobby Nunn (1982)


"I'm Freaky" by Obryan (1983)


"I Like What You're Doing To Me" by Young & Co. (1980)


"Murphy's Law" by Cheri (1982)

"Walking Into Sunshine" by Central Line (1981)


"Must Be The Music" by Secret Weapon (1982)



"All Night Thing" by Invisible Man's Band (1980)


"You Can't Hide Your Love From Me" by David Joseph (1983)

I'd say this is the perfect display of early 80s funk/dance music.....


Severely underrated,,,,but its getting a revival treatment in the remastered vinyl market these days. So you'll def have an access to it.



The System's debut is right up your alley as well...





I tried to find my fave song from that album in youtube but I couldn't find it(Stand Up & Cheer!).

Of course ALL of Kashif produced work circa 80-83 was top notch...




And of course you can't mention early 80s funk without throwing Jacques Fred Petrus' name....





And for a lil' underrated taste from Sly & Robbie check these tunes from the lovely Ms.Gwen Guthrie...

"When Boys Talk" by Indeep (1983)


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


"You're Too Late" by Fantasy (1980)


"Thanks To You" by Sinnamon (1982)

"Imagination" by BB&Q Band (1982)

"Too Tough" by Angela Bofill (1983)

[Edited 9/8/09 3:49am]

"So Fine" by Howard Johnson (1982)

"Wide Receiver" by Michael Henderson (1980)

"No Parking On The Dancefloor" by Midnight Star (1983)

a double shot of Sexual Harrassment

"I Need A Freak" (1983)


"If I Gave You A Party" (1983)

"She Talks To Me With Her Body" by Bar Kays (1983)

I got my somewhat versatile Perlude Records set that you might find intersting,,,

"On The Beat" by BB&Q Band (1981)


"Searching To Find The One" by Unlimited Touch (1981)


"Behind The Groove" by Teena Marie (1980)


"I'm In Love" by Evelyn Champagne King (1981)

"Saturday,Saturday Night" by Zoom (1981)


"The Gigolo" by Obryan (1981)



"I Love You More" by Rene And Angela (1981)

78 song recommendations- this is awesome! Thanks, guys!

I'll list some more songs when I get home from work tonight

This thread makes me wanna go out and party "old school style"! I wish I could find a club that would play all of these jams.

Vainandy can access youtube now?

I've got a laptop at home now and apparently someone nearby must have high speed internet which I've been able to connect to. Whoever they are, I hope they don't move.

vainandy said:

You need to tap into Chromeo ASAP!

Thanks for the recommendations, too!

I've listened to 5 songs already, and I've got 70+ to go. I love the org.

http://prince.org/msg/8/315808

http://prince.org/msg/8/315824

http://prince.org/msg/8/317711

http://prince.org/msg/8/313654

http://prince.org/msg/8/315935

I'm still making my way through this. There's some truly great stuff here! My favorite so far has to be Don Blackman- do I need to get that album in a hurry!