Karma was an American Latin-jazz/funk super-group from Los Angeles that released two albums on A&M/Horizon in 1976 and 1977. Members: George Bohanon (trombone, bass trombone, baritone horn, vocals), Ernie Watts (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute), Oscar Brashear (trumpet), Curtis Robertson Jr. (bass), Chuck Rainey (bass), Josef Blocker (drums, vocals), Leon “Ndugu” Chancler (drums), Vander “Stars” […]
Strutt was an American soul-funk band from New Jersey that released the album Time Moves On on Brunswick Records in 1976. Members: Carmen Cosentino (guitar), Dickie Harman (vocals), Edward Walker (bass), Frank Portolana (organ), Jim Mecke (alto saxophone, flute), Joe Escobar (trombone), Roger Zumbo (drums), Ronald T. Jones (vocals) Strutt was assembled in 1973 by […]
The 3 Pieces were an American jazz-funk/soul trio that released the album Vibes of Truth on Fantasy in 1975. Members: Andre Richardson (congas, percussion), Lincoln Ross (keyboards, trombone), Jerry Wilder (bass, lead vocals) The 3 Pieces coalesced in Washington D.C. around the talents of trombonist/keyboardist Lincoln Ross, bassist Jerry Wilder, and percussionist Andre Richardson. Ross […]
Black Merda was an American soul-funk/psych band from Detroit that released a self-titled album on Chess in 1970, followed by a second as Mer-Da on Janus in 1972. Along with Funkadelic and Purple Image, the band was pivotal in bridging R&B and psych-rock at the dawn of the 1970s. Members: Anthony “Wolf” Hawkins (guitar), VC […]
Exit 9 were an American soul-funk band that released the album Straight Up on Brunswick-subsidiary BRC in 1975. Members: David Lavender (rhythm/lead guitar), Enoch Jappa (congas, backing vocals), Eric Hoosier (alto saxophone, backing vocals), Hollis Googe (lead guitar, backing vocals), James “Binky” Davis (drums, backing vocals), Johnny Rios (lead vocals), Michael Pelzer (bass, backing vocals), […]
Luther Thomas & Dizzazz were an American avant-jazz/funk band from St. Louis that released the album Yo’ Momma on the German Moers Music label in 1981. Members: Luther Thomas (alto saxophone), John Mulkerin (trumpet), Frank Cruz (trumpet), Marvin Neal (trombone), Stanley Banks (bass), Warren Benbow (drums), Billy “Spaceman” Patterson (lead guitar), Ronald Muldrow (rhythm guitar), Dani […]
The Pharaohs were an American jazz-funk band from Chicago that released the album Awakening on self-press Scarab Records in 1971. They were a conglomeration of local ’60s acts The Jazzmen and the Artistic Heritage Ensemble. Future Earth Wind and Fire mastermind Maurice White was an early member. Members: Charles Handy (trumpet), Louis Satterfield (trombone), Don […]
Manchild was an American soul-funk band from Indianapolis that released two albums on Chi Sound Records in 1977 and 1978. They morphed into Redd Hott for a further album on Venture Records in 1982. Guitarist/singer Kenneth Edmonds later achieved fame as Babyface. Members: Reggie Griffin (soprano/tenor saxophone, Clavinet, electric/acoustic guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, handclaps), Anthony […]
Rare Gems were an American soul-funk band from Los Angeles that released an album as Rare Gems Odyssey on Casablanca in 1977, followed by a second under the truncated name on California Gold in 1978. They formed in 1969 and originally performed as Black Rare Gems. Members: Debra Givings (vocals), Charles E. Givings (drums, vocals), […]
The 7th Wonder were an American soul-funk band from Tuskegee, Ala., that released two albums on Parachute Records in 1978/79, followed by a third on Chocolate City in 1980. Members: Jerome “Thump” Thornton (bass), Johnnie Hammond (drums, percussion), Marvin Patton (guitar, vocals), Iulus Chislom (keyboards), Allen Williams (percussion, vocals), Wilbert Cox (vocals), Deborah Mathews (vocals) […]
The 13th Floor were an American soul-funk band from St. Louis that released the album Steppin’ Out on Blue Candle in 1976. Members: Lionel Greene (vocals, saxophone), Vincent Martin (guitar), Mitch Wadley (bass), Donnell Wade (drums) The 13th Floor were first discovered by Albert King, who enlisted them for backing on select mid-’70s northeast concert […]
The Kay-Gee’s were an American soul-funk band from Jersey City that released two albums on Gang Records between 1974 and 1976, followed by another pair of albums on parent-label De-Lite Records in 1978 and 1979. Multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Amir Bayyan (aka Kevin Bell) is the younger brother of Kool & The Gang members Robert “Kool” […]
Melvin “Wah Wah” Watson — aka Melvin Ragin (1950 — Oct. 24, 2018) — was an American guitarist noted for his session work on numerous jazz-funk and soul albums from the 1970s and 1980s. Deriving his stagename from the wah-wah pedal, he released the album Elementary on Columbia in 1976. Early Career A Detroit local, […]
Rhythm Machine were an American soul-funk septet from Indianapolis that released a self-titled album on Lulu Records in 1976. Members: James Boone (bass, vocals), Maurice Puckett (guitar, vocals), Robert Dycus (drums, vocals), Donald Harris (tenor/soprano saxophone, vocals), Maride Williams (alto/soprano saxophone, vocals), Hopie Monroe Bronson III (piano, strings, vocals), Dennis McNeil (congas, bongos) Honing their […]
Main Street were an American soul-funk band that issued a self-titled album on Koala in 1976. The band concurrently recorded with the John Wagner Coalition, named after the producer and engineer of both projects. Members: Janis Russell (vocals), Ralph Gonzales (drums), Rick Davies (trombone), Robert Seely (trumpet), Steve Miller (guitar), Jose Jimenez (congas), Mike Weatherly […]
The Chambers Brothers were an American soul-psych band from Los Angeles, formed in 1954. After a pair of mid-’60s albums on Vault, they released four albums on Columbia between 1967 and 1971. There biggest hit was an edit of their 11-minute album track “Time Has Come Today” from their 1967 release The Time Has Come. […]
The 9th Creation were an American soul-funk band from Stockton, Calif., that released three albums on Ritetrack, Prelude, and Hilltak between 1975 and 1979. In 1980, the band recorded a fourth album that was ultimately released by archivists Prelude in 2019. Members: A.D. Burrise (bass, backing vocals), J.D. Burrise (vocals, percussion), Henry Anadon (saxophone, keyboards), […]
Universe City were an American funk band that released a self-titled album Midland International in 1976. Members: Jerry Powell, Thomas Stevens, Billy Burstion Jr., Gregory Press, J.J. Cancel Discography: Universe City (1976)
Ripple were an American funk band that released a self-titled album on GRC in 1973, followed by Sons of the Gods on Salsoul in 1977. Members: Brian Sherrer, Curtis Reynolds, Dave Ferguson, Keith Samuels, Simon Kenneth Carter, Walter Carter, William Hull Discography: Ripple (1973) Sons of the Gods (1977)
The 8th Day were an American soul-funk/psych band from Detroit that released two albums with accompanying singles on Invictus between 1971 and 1973. A decade later, the nameplate was resurrected for a third album on A&M. Members: Steve Mancha (vocals), Melvin Davis (vocals, drums), Antonio ‘Tony’ Newton (bass), Carole Stallings (vocals, electric violin), Anita Sherman […]
The Cult were an American funk band from Las Vegas that released the album The Mail Must Go Through on self-press Starburst in 1976. Members: – Discography: The Mail Must Go Through (1976)
Blair — aka Barney Blair Perry (born 1953) — is an American soul-funk multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Buffalo, NY, who released the album Night Life on self-press Solar Sound Records & Tapes in 1978. Discography: Night Life (1978)
Grey & Hanks were an American soul-funk duo from Los Angeles, comprised of musicians Len Ron Hanks and Zane Grey. The pair released two albums on RCA Victor between 1978 and 1980. Members: Len Ron Hanks, Zane Grey Discography: You Fooled Me (1978) Prime Time (1980)
Fat Larry’s Band were an American soul-funk band from Philadelphia that released six albums between 1976 and 1982: including three on WMOT Records and two on its eventual parent Fantasy Records. The band’s second album, Off the Wall, appeared on Stax in 1977. A late-period U.K. breakthrough yielded a seventh album on Virgin in 1983, […]
Graham Central Station were an American soul-funk band from San Francisco that released seven albums on Warner Bros. between 1974 and 1979. Members: Larry Graham (vocals, bass, guitar, clavinet, organ, piano, drums, percussion), Patryce Banks (vocals, percussion, tambourine), Hershall Kennedy (vocals, clavinet, trumpet), Robert Sam (vocals, piano, organ), David Vega (vocals, guitar), Willie Sparks (vocals, […]
Giants were an American Latin-funk supergroup that came together in 1971 for an all-star jam. Recordings from that session were released with later material on a self-titled album, issued by LAX Records in 1978. Members: Greg Errico, Carlos Santana, Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, Jose “Chepito” Areas, Herbie Hancock, Wendy Haas, Freddie Pool, Coke Escovedo, Lee […]
Bottom & Co. were an American soul-funk band from Nashville that released three singles as Bottom & Company on Motown circa 1974/75, followed by the album Rock Bottom on the label’s Gordy imprint in 1976. Members: Jesse Boyce (vocals, bass), Richard Griffith (lead vocals, trumpet), Freeman Brown (vocals, drums), George Woods (vocals, trumpet), John Helms […]
Booty People were an American soul-funk band that released the single “Spirit of ’76” on Calla Records in 1976, followed by a self-titled album on ABC in 1977. The band morphed into General Caine for a round of four albums on Groove Time and Tabu between 1978 and 1983. Members: Joe Phillips, Mitch McDowell, Rick […]
Boscoe were an American soul-funk band from Chicago that released a self-titled album on one-press Kingdom of Chad Records in 1973. Members: Darryl Johnson, Harold Warner, James Rice, Reg Holden, Ron Harris, Steve Cobb Discography: Boscoe (1973)
C. J. & Co. were an American soul-funk band from Detroit that released two albums on Westbound Records during 1977 and 1978. Members: Dennis Coffey, Cornelius Brown Jr., Curtis Durden, Joni Tolbert, Connie Durden, Charles Clark Discography: Devil’s Gun (1977) Deadeye Dick (1978)
Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers were an American soul-funk band from Washington, DC, that released two albums on Source Records during 1979 and 1980, followed by a later round of activity that yielded two 1984 singles on T.T.E.D. Records and three 1986–88 live releases on Future, Flame, and Fun House. In a prior incarnation, […]
Cane and Able were a North American soul-funk band that relocated to Paris and released two albums on Epic in 1972. Members: Worthington Brown (bass, vocals), Blinky Bostic (congas, timbales, percussion), George Carter (drums), Billy Ellis (flute, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone), Garland Edwards (guitar), French Thompson (lead vocals), Alan Reeves (piano, electric piano, […]
Burton Inc. were an American soul-funk band from Tulsa that released the album L.A. Will Make You Pay $$$ on Charli-Barbara Records in 1976. Members: – Discography: L.A. Will Make You Pay $$$ (1976)
Ebonee Webb were an American soul-funk band from Memphis that served as a backing act on two 1978/79 Japanese disco albums on the Seven Seas label. As a standalone unit, the band released two albums on Capitol Records between 1981 and 1983. Members: Charles Liggins, Chico, Gregg Davis, Kenneth Ray Coleman, Leon Thomas, Michael Winston, […]
The Eliminators were an American soul-funk band from Winston-Salem, NC, that released the album Loving Explosion on Brunswick-subsidiary BRC in 1974. Members: James Funches (saxophone, flute), Nathaniel Williams (bass), Clifford Little (congas), Carl Johnson (drums), Calvin Rhodes (guitar), Robert Burris (guitar), James Anderson (organ), Godosakahi Jordon (saxophone), Jonathan L. Robinson (trumpet, flugelhorn), Levon Meyers (vocals), […]
The Edwards Generation were an American soul-funk band that released a standalone single on Ghetto Records in 1972, followed by the album In San Francisco “The Street Thang” with accompanying singles on self-press Tight Records in 1976. Members: Chuck Edwards, Jeffrey Edwards, Leslie Edwards, Myron Edwards, Ronald Edwards Discography: “Someone Like You” / “School Is […]
The Jammers were an American soul-funk band that released a self-titled album on Salsoul Records in 1982. Members: Richie Weeks (keyboards, synthesizer, producer, arranger), Sheldon Weeks (vocals), Debra Blackwell (vocals), Fareed Abdul Haqq (guitar, keyboards) John Cooksey (keyboards), Raymond Earl (bass), Tony Bridges (bass), John Cooksey (drums), Scotty Miller (drums), Warren Benbow (drums) Discography: The […]
Isis was an American brass-rock/funk big band from NYC, formed in 1972 by guitarist/singer Carol MacDonald and drummer Ginger Bianco, both of the seminal ’60s garage band Goldie & The Gingerbreads. They released two albums on Buddah in 1974/75 and a third on UA in 1977. Members: Carol MacDonald (vocals, guitar), Ginger Bianco (drums, percussion), […]
High Fashion were an American soul-funk trio that released the albums Feelin’ Lucky (1982) and Make Up Your Mind (1983) on Capitol Records. Members: Alyson Williams (1982-83), Eric MacClinton (1982-83), Meli’sa Morgan (1982), Marcella Allen (vocals, 1983) Discography: Feelin’ Lucky (1982) Make Up Your Mind (1983)
Heat were an American soul-funk trio that released a self-titled album in 1980, followed by Still Waiting in 1981, both on MCA. Members: Ed Whiting (vocals), Jean Marie Arnold (vocals), Tom Saviano (saxophone, producer) Discography: Heat (1980) Still Waiting (1981)
Mad Cliff — alternately spelled Madcliff — were an American soul-funk band that released a self-titled album on tax-scam Guinness Records in 1977. Members: – Discography: Mad Cliff (1977)
Maceo Parker (born Feb. 14, 1943) is an American saxophonist and bandleader from Kinston, NC, who emerged in the ’60s-era backing band of James Brown. In 1970, Parker and fellow Brown-alumni formed Maceo and All the King’s Men, which released two albums on Charly R&B and Excello. In 1974, Parker assembled Maceo & the Macks […]
Logg were an American soul-funk band that released a self-titled album on Salsoul Records in 1981. Members: Leroy Burgess (lead vocals, keyboards, producer, arranger), Fred McFarlane (synthesizer), James Calloway (bass, percussion, backing vocals), Russell Patterson, Sonny T. Davenport (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Stan Lucas (guitar) Discography: Logg (1981)
Lightnin’ Rod — aka Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin (July 24, 1944 — June 4, 2018) — was an American rapper/poet from Brooklyn who released the album Hustlers Convention on United Artists in 1973 with instrumental backing by Kool & The Gang. Discography: Hustlers Convention (1973)
Leo’s Sunshipp were an American soul-funk band that released the album We Need Each Other on Lyon’s Record Co. in 1978. Members: Kenny Stover (producer, songwriter), Johnny Simone (producer, songwriter), Alvin Few (producer) Discography: We Need Each Other (1978)
Leon’s Creation were an American soul-funk band from San Francisco that released the album This Is the Beginning on Studio 10 in 1970, followed by an eponymous album under the shortened name Creation on ATCO Records in 1974. Members: Leon Patillo (vocals, keyboards), Jimmy Calhoun (bass), Dennis Marcellino (saxophone, vocals), Billy Gerst (trumpet), Joe Provorst […]
Klique were an American soul-funk trio from Los Angeles that released four albums on MCA between 1981 and 1985. Members: Deborah Suthers [Deborah Hunter] (vocals, percussion), Isaac Suthers (vocals, synthesizer, keyboards), Howard Huntsberry (vocals, drums, percussion) Discography: It’s Winning Time (1981) Let’s Wear It Out (1982) Try It Out (1983) Love Cycles (1985)
Kleeer were an American soul-funk band from NYC that released seven albums on Atlantic between 1979 and 1985. The band formed in 1972 and originally performed under the names Jam Band and Pipeline before serving as the musical backbone for the Universal Robot Band on two albums during the late 1970s. Members: Woody Cunningham (vocals), […]
Maxx Traxx were an American soul-funk band that released an eponymous album, listed in certain media as The Album!!!, on self-press Pulse Records in 1981. A name-change to Third Rail yielded an album of half-new material, Reachin’ For It, on one-press Two Twenty Two Records in 1982. Members: Laurence Dawson, Lee Gatlin, Malcolm Banks, Marvin […]
Mother Night were an American soul-funk band from NYC that released a self-titled album on Columbia in 1972, followed by a standalone single on Buddah in 1973. Members: Ronnie Pace (vocals, trumpet, piano, congas), Eddie Martinez (guitar, vocals), Val Burke (bass, vocals), Arnold Ramsey (drums, organ, guitar, bass, saxophone), Skip McPhee (organ, vocals), Sonny McPhee […]
Mother Freedom Band were an American soul-funk band that released the album Cutting the Chord on All Platinum in 1977. Members: – Discography: Cutting the Chord (1977)
Moses was an American soul-funk band from Atlanta, Ga., that released the album The Coming of Moses on Pure Silk Records in 1978. Keyboardist/bandleader Mose Davis hailed from early ’70s funksters The Counts and also played on albums by Bohannon throughout the decade. Members: – Discography: The Coming of Moses (1978)
Moonpie were an American soul-funk band that released a self-titled album on Lanark Records in 1977. Members: – Discography: Moonpie (1977)
