Instant Funk -

Instant Funk was an American soul-funk band that released the 1976 TSOP album Get Down With the Philly Jump, followed by six albums between 1979 and 1983 on Salsoul Records. They scored R&B hits with “Bodyshine,” “Witch Doctor,” “No Stoppin’ That Rockin’,” “It Ain’t Reggae (But It Sho Is Funky),” and “I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl).”

Members: Raymond Earl (bass), Kim Miller (guitar), Scotty Miller (drums), Bunny Sigler (piano), Dennis Richardson (keyboards), James Carmichael (vocals), Larry Davis (trumpet), Johnny Onderlinde (saxophone), Eric Huff (trombone), George Bell (guitar), Charles Williams (percussion), Elijah Jones (vocals), Donald Lamons (piano, vocals), Michael Gist (percussion)

Background

Instant Funk began as the Music Machine in Trenton, New Jersey, when bassist Raymond Earl formed a school-age partnership with drummer Scotty Miller. Scotty’s younger brother, guitarist Kim Miller, joined in the early Seventies and completed the core trio.

Scotty Miller graduated from Trenton Central High School and first performed with the Music Machine, which backed the TNJ’s at local dances and venues before manager Jackie Ellis renamed the backing band Instant Funk.

Ellis brought Philadelphia singer, songwriter, and producer Walter “Bunny” Sigler to hear the TNJ’s with Instant Funk. Sigler hired the band for his own stage and studio work. He used Earl and the Miller brothers on Philadelphia International sessions, including the basic tracks for material issued under his own name.

Instant Funk expanded around the Trenton-Philadelphia circuit with keyboardist Dennis Richardson, singer James Carmichael, percussionist Charles Williams, and horn players Larry Davis, Eric Huff, and Johnny Onderlinde. The band backed Sigler, The Manhattans, and other R&B acts before Philadelphia International placed the group on its TSOP imprint. Instant Funk debuted with the TSOP single “Float Like a Butterfly,” a 1975 two-parter co-credited to Sigler, Ron Tyson, and Archie Bell.

Get Down With the Philly Jump

Instant Funk released their debut album, Get Down With the Philly Jump, in November 1976 on TSOP, a Philadelphia International imprint.

The album contains ten Bunny Sigler originals or co-writes, with Ron Kersey, Bruce Hawes, Dexter Wansel, Kim Miller, Scotty Miller, Raymond Earl, and Allan Felder among the credited collaborators. Sigler produced the album at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.

“It Ain’t Reggae (But It’s Funky)” bolts through a rising-and-falling bass figure, hand percussion, and clipped title replies. “The Mack Is Back” lopes through a slower backbeat with brassy punctuation and repeated title phrases. “Philly Jump” rebounds from a propulsive riff into short brass accents. “Hup Two, Hup Two (Get in Line, Say Get in Line)” chants over a martial call and a fast, squared-off beat. “Funky Africa” glides through smoother brass beds and a distorted guitar figure.

A1. “Philly Jump” (6:26) – Sigler, Kersey
A2. “Give Me Your Love” (4:19) – Wansel, Sigler
A3. “I Know Where You’re Coming From” (4:18) – Sigler, Hawes
A4. “Hup Two, Hup Two (Get in Line, Say Get in Line)” (4:08) – Sigler, Hawes, K. Miller, S. Miller, Earl
A5. “So Glad I’m the One” (3:13) – Sigler

B1. “Funky Africa” (5:07) – Sigler, K. Miller, S. Miller, Earl
B2. “We Can Work It Out” (4:55) – Sigler, Wansel
B3. “Go for Yourself” (4:34) – Sigler, Felder
B4. “Float Like a Butterfly” (4:24) – Sigler, Wansel
B5. “It Ain’t Reggae (But It Sho Is Funky)” (3:56) – Sigler, K. Miller, S. Miller, Earl

TSOP lifted “Philly Jump” as a December 1976 single (b/w “Funky Africa”). In March 1977, “It Ain’t Reggae (But It Sho Is Funky)” became the second single and reached No. 24 on the Billboard disco chart.

Instant Funk

Instant Funk released their second studio album, Instant Funk, in January 1979 on Salsoul.

The album blends disco, funk, and Philadelphia soul, performed by lead singer James Carmichael, bassist Raymond Earl, drummer Scotty Miller, percussionist Charles Williams, guitarists George Bell and Kim Miller, and keyboardists Bunny Sigler, Dennis Richardson, James Sigler, and Fred Bahler. Their four-piece horn section features trombonist Eric Huff, alto/tenor saxophonist Johnny Onderlinde, and trumpeters Larry Davis and Michael Ray.

“I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)” surges through rising brass, handclaps, tambourine chatter, a repeated “Say what?” reply, and a blunt title refrain. “Crying” races on a near-unbroken beat, with James Carmichael pushing the lead line toward the fade. “Dark Vader” drones through spooky voice effects, haunted-house noise, and a synthesized low-register line beneath comic title text. “Don’t You Wanna Party” claps around a strange “jungle gym” refrain and short party calls. “I’ll Be Doggone” pumps rolling brass around keyboard work and extended refrain cycles.

A1. “I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)” (7:13) – Earl, K. Miller, S. Miller
A2. “Crying” (6:00) – Sigler
A3. “Never Let It Go Away” (4:24) – Richardson
A4. “Don’t You Wanna Party” (4:00) – Earl, K. Miller, S. Miller, Sigler

B1. “Wide World of Sports” (3:25) – Earl, K. Miller, S. Miller, Sigler
B2. “Dark Vader” (6:59) – J. Sigler, B. Sigler
B3. “You Say You Want Me to Stay” (3:54) – Earl, K. Miller, S. Miller
B4. “I’ll Be Doggone” (7:00) – Sigler

Bunny Sigler produced the sessions at Alpha International Recording Studios, Sigma Sound Studios, and Philadelphia Music Works in Philadelphia. Bob Blank mixed the album at Blank Tapes in New York. José Rodriguez mastered the album at Sterling Sound in New York.

Instant Funk appeared in a sleeve directed by Stan Hochstadt and designed by Lori L. Lambert, with graphic supervision by Lloyd Gelassen and photography by Bob Wolfson. The front cover shows the group posed in white clothing against a dark backdrop.

Salsoul lifted “I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)” as a December 1978 single (b/w “Wide World of Sports”). The single reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on Hot Soul Singles, and No. 1 on the Billboard disco chart.

“Crying” became a second single and reached No. 41 on Hot Soul Singles. Instant Funk reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart.

Witch Doctor

Instant Funk released their third studio album, Witch Doctor, in November 1979 on Salsoul.

Witch Doctor mixes long-form vamps, brass-led breaks, chant refrains, and ballad placements. The album retains singer James Carmichael, bassist Raymond Earl, drummer Scotty Miller, percussionist Charles Williams, guitarists George Bell and Kim Miller, and keyboardists Dennis Richardson and James Sigler. Backing voices by Bunny Sigler, Instant Funk, and the John Brothers appear across the album.

Larry Davis arranged the album and joined a horn section with trumpeters Michael Ray and Randy Brecker, trombonists Tom Malone and Willie Williams, and saxophonists Bob Malach, Lew Del Gatto, and Robin Eubanks.

“Slap, Slap, Lickedy Lap” slaps through handclaps, chant-heavy title play, and a loose bassline. “Witch Doctor” chants through clipped call-and-response phrasing and compressed accents. “I Had a Dream” croons over a smooth ballad cadence with a slower verse-to-chorus arc. “Bodyshine” teases guitar figures against loose low-end motion and repeated body-title calls. “Scream and Shout” closes with polished shout phrases and tight chorus movement.

A1. “Slap, Slap, Lickedy Lap” (7:12) – Bell, Davis, Richardson
A2. “Witch Doctor” (5:51) – Sigler
A3. “I Had a Dream” (5:51) – Sigler

B1. “Bodyshine” (7:15) – Davis, Earl, K. Miller, S. Miller
B2. “It’s Your Love on My Mind” (4:33) – E. Williams, K. Miller, Richardson
B3. “I Want to Love You” (4:10) – K. Miller
B4. “Scream and Shout” (4:00) – Bell, Earl, K. Miller, S. Miller

Bunny Sigler produced the album for Bundino Productions. Bob Blank recorded and mixed the album at Blank Tape Studios in New York. Blank completed separate mixes of “Slap, Slap, Lickedy Lap” and “Bodyshine” at Eras Recording Studio. José Rodriguez mastered the album at Sterling Sound in New York.

Witch Doctor appeared in packaging directed by Stan Hochstadt and Lloyd Gelassen, designed by Lori L. Lambert, and photographed by Len Kaltman. The front cover shows the group in staged costume against a black field.

Salsoul lifted “Witch Doctor” as a late-1979 single, which reached No. 35 on Hot Soul Singles. “Bodyshine” followed in 1980 and reached No. 103 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 41 on Hot Soul Singles, and No. 28 on the Billboard disco chart. Witch Doctor reached No. 129 on the Billboard 200 and No. 23 on the R&B Albums chart.

The Funk Is On

Instant Funk released their fourth studio album, The Funk Is On, in October 1980 on Salsoul.

The album blends post-disco funk and Philadelphia soul, performed by singer James Carmichael, bassist Raymond Earl, drummer Scotty Miller, percussionist Charles Williams, guitarists George Bell and Kim Miller, keyboardist Dennis Richardson, trumpeter Larry Davis, saxophonist Johnny Onderlinde, and trombonist Eric Huff.

“The Funk Is On” chugs through a no-frills bassline and clipped brass punctuation. “Funk-N-Roll” yodels across overdriven guitar figures and short horn accents. “You’re Not Getting Older” brightens with treated voice effects and repeated age-as-better text. “It’s Cool” lopes around relaxed low-end motion and a loose refrain. “What Can I Do for You” coasts into a ballad cadence with falsetto group replies.

A1. “The Funk Is On” (4:40) – Muller
A2. “Everybody” (5:31) – Richardson
A3. “You Want My Love” (4:23) – Earl, S. Miller
A4. “Funk-N-Roll” (4:16) – Onderlinde

B1. “It’s Cool” (5:25) – Closson
B2. “What Can I Do for You” (4:00) – K. Miller
B3. “Can You See Where I’m Coming From” (4:16) – B. Sigler, J. Sigler
B4. “You’re Not Getting Older” (4:24) – B. Sigler

Salsoul credited Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia with recording, Blank Tapes, Inc. with mixing, and Sterling Sound, Inc. with mastering. Billboard listed the Salsoul 12-inch sequence “Everybody / Funk-N-Roll / The Funk Is On” at No. 22 on the disco chart.

“The Funk Is On” reached No. 87 on Hot Soul Singles. The Funk Is On reached No. 130 on the Billboard 200 and No. 62 on R&B Albums.

Looks So Fine

Instant Funk released their fifth studio album, Looks So Fine, in March 1982 on Salsoul.

The album blends boogie, Salsoul funk, and ballad material, with synthesizer patterns, clipped rhythm figures, brass accents, and stacked group refrains. Carmichael continues with the prior lineup: Earl, Scotty Miller, Charles Williams, Bell, Kim Miller, Richardson, Davis, Onderlinde, and Huff.

“Looks So Fine” quickens with treated-voice accents and a faster opening charge. “Why Don’t You Think About Me” flexes around a tight bassline and direct refrain. “Slam Dunk the Funk” rebounds through a basketball chant and squared-off party cadence. “Gotta Like That” flickers with electronic detail that thins the low-end presence. “Punk Rockin’” hardens around a solo guitar passage and tougher closing edge.

A1. “Looks So Fine” (5:10) – Bell, Davis, B. Sigler
A2. “Why Don’t You Think About Me” (5:24) – D. Jones, K. Miller
A3. “Slam Dunk the Funk” (6:15) – Scales, B. Sigler

B1. “Gotta Like That” (4:47) – Richardson
B2. “Jumpin’ to Conclusions” (5:43) – B. Sigler
B3. “Give It to You Baby” (5:09) – B. Sigler, Davis
B4. “Punk Rockin’” (4:21) – D. Jones, K. Miller

Salsoul lifted “Why Don’t You Think About Me” as a March 1982 single, which reached No. 59 on Hot Soul Singles. “Give It to You Baby” and “Jumpin’ to Conclusions” followed as 1982 singles. Looks So Fine reached No. 147 on the Billboard 200 and No. 43 on R&B Albums.

Instant Funk V

Instant Funk released their sixth studio album, Instant Funk V, in January 1983 on Salsoul.

The album shifts the group toward electro-funk and boogie, with programmed accents, vocoder shading, horn breaks, and slower end-of-side material. The album centers on Carmichael, Earl, Scotty Miller, Kim Miller, and Richardson, with additional roles by guitarist Earnie Caldwell, conga player Mike Gist, keyboardists Richie Weeks, James Sigler, and Fred Zarr.

“No Stoppin’ That Rockin’” clicks through electronic accents and a firm low-end figure. “Who Took Away the Funk” glides through a low-slung pattern under a bright Tom Moulton mix. “A Hard Day’s Night” races through a revved-up treatment with clipped ensemble impact. “Smack Dab in the Middle” lingers on loose group harmonies and a slow ballad cadence.

The horn section includes trumpeter Larry Davis, trombonist Barry Rogers, and reed players Bob Franceschini, Chris Rogers, and John Purcell. Backing voices include Bunny Sigler, Jocelyn Brown, Connie Harvey, Dian Sorel, Elaine Gaskins, Earl, Richardson, Kim Miller, Scotty Miller, and Weeks.

A1. “No Stoppin’ That Rockin’” (5:33) – Richardson
A2. “Who Took Away the Funk” (5:13) – Carter, James
A3. “Hard Day’s Night” (5:18) – Lennon, McCartney
A4. “You’re Gonna Get Yours” (3:55) – Scales, B. Sigler

B1. “Easy Come, Easy Go” (5:17) – Weeks
B2. “Smack Dab in the Middle” (5:06) – B. Sigler, J. Sigler
B3. “Blazin’” (4:00) – D. Jones, K. Miller
B4. “I’ll Be Good to You” (4:08) – Weeks

Bunny Sigler produced the album for Bundino Productions. Dirk Devlin, John Wisner, and Bob Blank recorded the sessions at Blank Tape Studios and Sigma Sound Studios. Blank and Tom Moulton mixed the album, with mastering by Herb Powers Jr. at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs.

Salsoul lifted “No Stoppin’ That Rockin’” as a 1982 single (b/w “No Stoppin’ That Rockin’ (Instrumental)”), which reached No. 32 on Hot Soul Singles. “Who Took Away the Funk” followed in 1983 and reached No. 70 on Hot Soul Singles. Instant Funk V reached No. 38 on R&B Albums.

Kinky

Instant Funk released their seventh studio album, Kinky, in September 1983 on Salsoul.

The album blends late-Salsoul funk, boogie, and electro-funk, with drum-machine accents, congas, synth lines, group refrains, and spoken passages. The lineup includes singer Elijah “EJ” Jones, bassist Earl, drummer Scotty Miller, guitarist Kim Miller, keyboardist Richardson, pianist–singer Donald Lamons, and percussionist Michael Gist.

“(Just Because) You’ll Be Mine” slinks through synthesized figures and a dancefloor bassline. “Don’t Call Me Brother” raps through clipped address lines and blocky beat placement. “Passion” croons into a chorus with close group replies. “Keep It Up” coasts back into slow ballad cadence. “Funkiest Party in the World” claps through early block beats, chant phrases, and a rubbery refrain. Leon Ware co-wrote “Kinky” and “Passion.”

A1. “(Just Because) You’ll Be Mine” (5:30) – Earl, K. Miller, S. Miller
A2. “Tonight We’re Gonna Make Love” (4:33) – B. Sigler
A3. “Kinky” (4:05) – Ware, Rich
A4. “Don’t Call Me Brother” (5:31) – Gamble, B. Sigler

B1. “Let’s Make Love” (4:50) – B. Sigler
B2. “Passion” (4:52) – B. Sigler, Ware
B3. “Keep It Up” (3:43) – B. Sigler
B4. “Funkiest Party in the World” (4:34) – Earl, K. Miller, S. Miller

Bunny Sigler produced the album for Bundino Productions. Shep Pettibone remixed “(Just Because) You’ll Be Mine” for Mastermix Productions, with Jay Mark credited as mixing engineer. Lamons adds the spoken section on “Don’t Call Me Brother.”

Salsoul lifted “(Just Because) You’ll Be Mine” as an October 1983 single, which reached No. 21 on the Billboard dance chart and No. 71 on Hot Soul Singles.

Discography: