What is Funk?

In the words of Rare Gems Odyssey its a tough question.It seems it could be very difficult to define a definition globally that would make it clear to one in all.As much as funk can be an excursion into an unlimited amount of interwined and interrelated music styles(all having elements of "that funk sound")funk is very personal in each person.Everyone is tuned to a frequency and depending feels the funk force where others may not.
Funk originated in the 60s pigbacking soul,gospel,blues,jazz,r&b.Old school funk with the raw earthy sounds in the 60s,synthesizer 70s disco funk,new Old-school funk merging new technology and old funk patterns each have a unique funk identity.

With lots of new recordings and reissues,funk is accessible to new listeners preventing the genre from falling by the wayside.

Funk grew out of the environment of "war and freedom"racial in equality-gil scott heron(godfather of Rap).Funk grew from an expression which later became rap.Where funk was an outward active expressing claim for their interests.Soul was an inward subtle movement desire.Funk has regards of conflict or rebellion a preservation of the joy of life.
Funk can be a great amount of people ready to party.



Generally there is the question of whether funk is a music style or just a pseudo genre added to soul,jazz,blues,latin.

As a message within the music-words or just the groove.

As music where you will find slapping bass,hammond,wah wah guitar.

Or maybe all of these and more!

Funk is performed by the musician reaching the audience and instigating that earthy feel.Solos are strongly connected in the rhythm sometimes almost becoming a rhythm solo.(Fred Wesley trombone)

"How do I recognize a Funk record"Theres no real correct answer.Except the titles usually have an active expression 'Get on Down' 'Groove on Down' 'Shake the thing' 'Move on up'

Meters/Eddie Bo/Bobby Byrd/Mandrill/Blackbyrds/Bar-kays/Gap Band/Brick/Pleasure/Rose Royce/Neville Bros/Cameo/Wild Cherry/Fred Wesley/Barbara Acklin/Etta James/Bill Withers/Pointer Sisters/Lalomie Washburn/Stevie Wonder/Ramsey Lewis/Jack McDuff/Roy Ayers/Oliver Sain/Blue Mitchell..