Join us as we celebrate our first year of existance on the web at http:
//pages.prodigy.com/funk/.
I. "ALTERNATIVE R&B, RETRO SOUL, NEO SOUL - WHAT ARE THEY ?"
In our opinion, the music that we love is making a comeback from the
depravity and lack of substance we have been subjected to by the likes
of "smooth jazz", "today's r&b" and "gangsta rap"for the past 10 years
or so.
Young "funkateers" such as Erykah Badu, Maxwell, D'Angelo, Buckshot
LaFounque, Nycorian Soul the "acid jazz movement" and others are
returning to the real sources and coming up with the real deal.
Nothing could make us happier.......
.....however once again as usual the forces controling the music
industry are seeking to "steal" our music right out from under us, with
their need to "ghettoize" this music.
As you might well expect we had quite a spirited and often emotional
discussion about this topic on the Urban Sounds BB last month.
We felt that this discussion was so important to the future of the music
that we wanted to expand the discussion of it to the web. Be sure to
read it at http://pages.prodigy.com/funk/ & check in with your
thoughts either on the Urban Sounds BB (Jump: Urban Sounds BB) or send
me an email
II. MINNIE RIPERTON - "A PERFECT ANGEL WHO DIED TOO SOON"
One of my favorite artists of all time is Minnie Riperton. In many ways
the power & sensuality of her voice define just what FUNK is. In my
opinion she has NEVER gotten the props that she deserved since her
untimely death. Check out the page at http://pages.prodigy.com/funk/ &
see if you don't agree.
III. STAX FUNK & GIL SCOTT-HERON
- STAX FUNK
- "THE PARDON YOU GAVE WAS NOT YOURS TO GIVE"
Since our web page is now just about 1 year old we have decided to sort
of come full circle and return to the beginning.
Some of you who have been with us right from the start may remember that
our very first two features were on Isaac Hayes/ Wattstax & on Gil Scott
-Heron. We have returned to those two topics this month at http://pages
.prodigy.com/funk/ with a greatly expanded set of pages on both.
IV. "RIDE THE OBLIVION EXPRESS"
Our final new feature for this month at http://pages.prodigy.com/funk/
is on Brian Augar's Oblivion Express. Many of you perhaps have not heard
of them but they were a fantastic interracial jazz funk outfit from
England which garnered a great deal of respect on both sides of the
Atlantic during the early to mid 70's. There are two reisues of their
material which were released this spring, well worth obtating if you
haven't heard them before or if you are unfamiliar with jazz-funk as a
genre.
A truly great band !!!
Feel free to email us with your comments....and as always.....thank you
for your ongoing support, encouragement & love.
peace
-- Bob Davis http://pages.prodigy.com/funk/ Jump: Urban Music Group