Right to it: Here are 20 pop/ funk, etc tunes that have a serious groove, but they might have missed you. Check them out.
Desmond Dekker- The Israelites. A successful ska hit, mostly ignored today.
Betty Wright - Clean Up Woman- great soul diva, 1971, iconic guitar riff.
Isaac Hayes - Good Love 69969- off Black Moses, one of Ike’s funkiest songs
Brecker Brothers- Grease Piece. Off Back To Back, this jam has a 3 different killing grooves and an insanely good electric-tenor solo by Michael Brecker.
Jean Knight- Mr. Big Stuff. Yeah, you may know it, but listen again. Crushing.
LTD- Back In Love Again - featuring Jeffrey Osborn
Earth Wind and Fire - Let Me Talk. Opening cut from Faces. Unduly ignored, and so good.
Elton John - Susie (Dramas)… the flip side of 1972’s Rocket Man, and sneakily funky.
Thrashin’- George Clinton with Thomas Dolby !
Mandrill - Fencewalk- Nuff said.
Howlin’ Wolf- Smokestack Lighynin’. Covered by Manfred Mann & others, but the original still gives chills.
Donald Byrd- originally one of bebop’s greatest trumpeters, Byrd really lays one down with The Emperor from Ethiopian Nights
The River In Reverse- Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint. This nasty slow groove leaves a bite. Great lyrics, great groove.
Smith- Let’s Get Together. The opening track from this band’s eponymous album has Gayle MacCormack wailing her ass off on this amazing re-imagining of The Youngbloods’ anthem.
Etta James- I’d Rather Go Blind. Covered well by Beyonce’ in the film Cadillac Records, Etta’s original is still the greatest.
Bettye LaVette- Things Have Changed. She is one of the greatest singers we have. Don’t sleep on it.
Proof- Paul Simon. From the classic collaboration with mainly Brazilian musicians, this 12/8 groove packs a punch. N.B. the electric bass flourishes from Bakhiti Khumalo.
Brook Benton- Oogum Boogum. This bubble gum trifle grooves like crazy.A far cry from his hit, Gimme A Little Sign,
But It’s Alright- JJ Jackson. One of the most joyous grooves in rock history. Not to be confused with” It’s Allright” by The Impressions.
Defunkt- Avoid The Funk- Joe Bowie’s punk/ funk band is still strong after 30 years. Here’s their early funk manifesto.