10 replies to this topic

[Byron]

Can anyone recommend some funky jazzy type artist and or album?

I was in a shop and this jazzy music by Jimmy Smith (?) was playing which i thought was pretty neat. or something along the lines of the music in the film Sideways?

[Bondian]

I like Michael Buble. He's a fine young Canadian jazz singer who in my mind is going to go places.

He sings a lot of Sinatra etc, so he maybe a little too retro.

[spynovelfan]

Oh, I like Jimmy Smith! CHICKEN SHACK's a great album. Saw him live once - excellent. He did the solo on Michael Jackson's BAD (not a lot of people know that)! Anyway, off the top of my head, here are some suggestions.

If you like Smith, you might like Wes Montgomery, The Modern Jazz Quartet, some of Dizzy Gillespie's funkier stuff. There were some Verve remixes a few years back you might want to check out. More mainstream is Grover Washington Junior - his Just The Two Of Us (with the great Bill Withers) seemed to be the required track to play in hi-fi shops in the 80s. But despite being terribly unfashionable, he did some great funky jazz nonetheless.

Away from that crowd, though, do check out Fela Kuti. I've raved about his son Femi elsewhere, but Fela was the original - African's answer to James Brown, Bob Marley and Miles Davis all rolled into one. Like James Brown but with more of a jazz element - tight horn riffs, deep grooves: seriously funky jazz. Also Manu Dibango, who did the song Soul Makossa, which, funnily enough, Michael Jackson ripped off (Mamasaymamasamamamapusa comes from this song). That's some funky jazz. Money Mark is like a modern update of Jimmy Smith - he's worked with the Beastie Boys a lot. Erik Truffaz has some funky stuff, mixing hip-hop and jazz. Marc Moulin is very funky jazz with a house beat. Like a jazzier version of Saint-Germain, who are also well worth checking out. Terje Rypdal's done some funky stuff. Marvin Gaye's TROUBLE MAN album is great funky jazz. Try the Miles Davis album THE MAN WITH THE HORN - the track SHOUT is fantastic - and the PANTHALASSA remixes, too.

Should be something there you like, anyway.

[Matt O'S oo4]

Looking for strictly instrumental...

Or ?

Luther VanDros
Herbie Hancock
L. Skinner

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[spynovelfan]

Herbie Hancock's a good one, definitely. Not sure Luther Vandross was either jazz or funky. His stuff was commercial R&B/soul (and disco with Chic), no? Unless I've missed some of his stuff.

Who's L Skinner, by the way?

[Matt O'S oo4]

I was actually thinking of Leanord Skinner...

Don't know why.

Of course, some more subdued type might be something like Kenny G.

Not sure if that qualifites as "funky"

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[spynovelfan]

I wouldn't call Kenny G or Lynnrd Skynnrd funky jazz, no. Perhaps if you played both of their records at once, though.

[Matt O'S oo4]

LOL

Yes, I suppose that could work.

Kenny G is rather laid back to be considered funky.

How old are we talking here?

The last few years?

Or the history of Jazz/Funk?

Jazz is quite a bit older.

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[Byron]

I like Michael Buble. He's a fine young Canadian jazz singer who in my mind is going to go places.

He sings a lot of Sinatra etc, so he maybe a little too retro. 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I bought the Michael Buble single "Feelin Good" and let's just say it sounds very BONDIAN!

[Dunph]

You should check out the video then!

A good jazz/funk album is "Headhunters" by Herbie Hancock. And you can't go wrong with a bit of "Atomic Basie", either for that Bondian swing.

[Bryce (003)]

Don't know about the "funk" factor, but for some good jazz, go with one of the masters.

I have a disc of the Duke (that's MR. Ellington to the rest of you) - The '62 NY sessions. Great stuff that either Fleming or Bond would have appreciated.

Also "The essence of Count Bassie" - smooth listening for a drive or in the company of a lovely lady with the lights dimmed and some pink champagne.