13 de ago. de 2013

Funk, Inc. / Hangin Out
















Funk Inc. comprised of:

Bobby Watley (Organ & Vocals)
Steve Weakley (Guitar)
Gene Barr (Tenor Sax)
Jimmy Munford (Drums & Vocals)
and Cecil Hunt (Conga)

Funk Inc are highly regarded in soul-jazz circles.

The group was founded in Indianapolis in 1969 by organist Bobby Watley, who recruited tenor saxman Eugene Barr, guitarist Steve Weakley, drummer Jimmy Munford and conga player Cecil Hunt.

Funk Incorporated sent a tape to Prestige's A & R department in March 1971 postmarked 'Indianapolis' along with a note of recommendation from Brother Jack McDuff.

In the early 1970's, the original line-up came to the attention of Bob Porter, a well respected producer who signed Funk, Inc. to Prestige and paved the way for the band to record five albums for that label.

The band's line-up included Bobby Watley on organ.
From Ohio, he was originally a drummer, until a spell with Lonnie Smith's band in 1969 led him to switch to the keys.

Bobby, the band's main composer, credited Jack McDuff as his mentor and tutor.

The two other components of the rhythm section were, former James Brown drummer, Jimmy Munford and conga player Cecil Hunt.

After stressing improvisation on its first three albums 'Funk Inc.', 'Chicken Lickin' and 'Hangin' Out',
Funk Inc. started to lose their way in the mid-1970's and turned to heavier production, more arranging and background vocals.

This slicker approach led to tension within the group, and Funk Inc. broke up in 1976.

Watley continued to play live gigs on his own in the Midwest, and it wasn't until the mid-1990's that he would organize a new Funk Inc. line-up.

Watley organized a new line-up that included Hunt and newcomers Teddy Patterson (alto & tenor sax), Doug Swanigan (guitar) and Phil Brines (drums).

1 - Smokin' At Tiffany's
2 - Give Me Your Love
3 - We Can Be Friends
4 - Dirty Red
5 - I Can See Clearly Now
6 - I'll Be Around

Credits
•Artwork [Cover] – Phil Carroll
•Congas – Cecil Hunt
•Drums – Jimmy Munford
•Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
•Guitar – Steve Weakley
•Organ – Bobby Watley
•Photography By, Art Direction – Tony Lane (2)
•Producer – Ozzie Cadena
•Tenor Saxophone – Gene Barr*

3 comentários:

  1. Dead e Roger,
    Obrigado pelo post. Eu não conhcia este grupo. Vou conferir!
    E para aqueles que querem ouvir um dos melhores discos de Funk que já ouvi nesta minha existência, procurem o "Miles Davis On The Corner", de 1972. Uma puta de uma obra-prima do mestre MD em sua fase eletrica. Certamente um dos meus CDs favoritos do genial Milesv Davis.
    Abraços a todos os amigos desta alcatéia.

    ResponderExcluir
  2. E aí, Dead. Vc sabe que sou muito chegado a um Funk and Soul, Jazz-Funk das antigas... Valeu pelo Post.

    ZM-Jazz Rock, apenas para ilustrar seu comentário, segue o On The Corner... http://somvalvulado.blogspot.com.br/2013/02/music-to-enjoy-and-relax.html

    Abs

    Java

    ResponderExcluir
  3. Ya, Dead! Adoro quando bate o saudosismo em você. Mas, pra não ficar falando do passado, tem gente muito boa ainda hoje fazendo Funk a moda antiga, ou verdadeira, não essa bosta de hoje que de Funk nada tem. Ouça as musicas do Projeto Funkissima de um povo lá do Sur tchê, que era liderado pelo Cisco Vasques, que hoje mora em Sampa mas agora está mais voltado para outras artes.
    http://www.musicadomundo.com.br/rs-funkissima.html
    Abração.

    ResponderExcluir