What are the roots of funk? Since the
early Twentieth Century, this term has come to mean sweat, unpleasant
body odor and, by analogy, heartfelt dance music.
Symbolic of “Black Power” and African-American liberation culture, funk has deep roots embedded in the intense afro-caribbean musics of Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, and New Orleans.
Starting with “funky” jazz, “soul jazz” and soul, up to the 1960’s syncopated musics, it has had illustrious “rare groove” precursors such as Bo Diddley, or Sun Ra, whose afro-futurism left its mark on George Clinton, Herbie Hancock and the like. Keeping in line with his “Roots of Punk Rock”, “Roots of Ska” and “Roots of Soul” collections, Bruno Blum has gathered this eclectic selection from the roots offunk music. He recounts here the spirit and influences that shaped the early hits of James Brown, The Meters, Eddie Bo, Funkadelic and others.
