Essential Soul And Funk Albums

[Calashnikov]

Would anyone care to suggest the essential albums, and the order they should be bought in and stuff, of the various soul superstars. I'm sick of missing out on obscure album cuts when I'm buying comilations and greatest hits collections.

Specifically I'm really wanting to get official albums from the following type of artists:

Marlena Shaw, Stevie Wonder, Minnie Riperton, The Temptations, James Brown etc.

I have most of their famous songs and all, but I really want to here some underrated, forgotten album tracks. I'd also like to hear the famous numbers within a proper album context.

Suggest away.

[iloverage]

pretty much a soul classic. get get get.

do you have any funkadelic? get maggot brain.

[iloverage]

oh and curtis mayfield - curtis and superfly

[Couch Corpse]

Dr. Funkenstein

[Andy_Tanner]

go for the live James Brown stuff aswell as the studio albums. in particular these:-

[SM47]

Get 'Rejuvenation' by The Meters. Some of the funkiest shit ever committed to record right there.

[Ben]

For James Brown I'd say you're better off going for the compilations as none of his studio albums are really classics.

These are probably his best studio albums though if that's what you're explicitly after:

The Payback:

Hell:

The two live albums Andy recommended are awesome, but the best James Brown is the Foundations of Funk compilation - full of alternate takes, extended versions and live stuff. One of the best CDs you'll ever own, I know you're after albums but it's ridiculously good and not your average "Best of".

Another vote for Maggot Brain too.

[SeanR]

Up For The Down Stroke - Parliament

if only for the cover...

Makes Witchfinder General covers seem tame.

[Uncle Mike]

"Hot Buttered Soul" by Isaac Hayes.

"Let's Stay Together" and "I'm Still in Love With You" by Al Green.

"Innervisions" and "Songs in the Key of Life" by Stevie Wonder.

"What's Going On", "Let's Get It On" and "Here, My Dear" by Marvin Gaye.

"There's a Riot Goin' On" by Sly and the Family Stone.

[Aust]

"Innervisions" and "Songs in the Key of Life" by Stevie Wonder.

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I'd also add "Talking Book", not least for the fantastic 'Superstition'.

Edit: Also, may I recommend a 'hidden classic'? Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information.

[Uncle Mike]

Oooh, yes. That's ace. And some Gil Scott-Heron. "Pieces of a Man" or "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" for a start. And then anything with "The Bottle" on it.

Without Gil, it's hard to imagine there ever having been a Chuck D, Cal.

[Calashnikov]

Yes, dudes. This thread is like gold. I've always wanted to hear some more Gil Scott-Heron, Funkadelic and Parliament but the soul sections of the records shops in my area are so daunting. I guess it's because I totally know the type of sound that I'm after, but haven't got a clue at all where to find it.

But this thread has given me plenty to go on. With the student loans due to appear like next week, expect my thoughts on some of this shit within the next month.

[esar]

or

or

[esar]

Minnie Ripperton's Come Into My Garden is a good album to start from (personally i'd go for the anthology as its all killer).

Ok its a compilation, but its the compilation that every hip hop artist sampled from in the 80's.

[esar]

You really need these as well:

I could go on forever.

[Calashnikov]

Yeah, I've been meaning to pick up the Marlena Shaw Anthology, after listening to it in a shop. I've just been broke. I seem to remember there being a ridiculous track round about the half-way mark.

[esar]

There are loads of ridiculous tracks on Marlena's album and the Lyn Collins album is a classic.

[Ben]

Is the Lyn Collins album with the JB's? I've only heard her stuff on the (excellent) Funky Divas compilation. It's amazing how many of her tracks have been sampled to death by hiphop producers.

[Calashnikov]

There are loads of ridiculous tracks on Marlena's album and the Lyn Collins album is a classic.

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Yeah, but this one was particularly ridiculous. Once I pick it up, I'll let you know which song I'm on about B)

[scruffycat]

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Yes. If only for the rather lovely California Soul.

[Calashnikov]

Dude, I've got California Soul coming out of various compilations and mixtapes already. Cover versions and everything. But yeah, that's the sound I like. That's why I made this thread. I really want to find more.

[esar]

Is the Lyn Collins album with the JB's? I've only heard her stuff on the (excellent) Funky Divas compilation.  It's amazing how many of her tracks have been sampled to death by hiphop producers.

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Yeah, I think its with the JB's and I think James Brown produced her album, same for Marva Whitney.

try these (if they work):

Think (About It)

Mama Feelgood

Put It On The Line

from various albums

[spanky debrest]

Some of these have been mentioned, some haven't - they're all 10/10 killer soul/funk LPs that deserve picking up:

Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band: Anthology (any original LPs are essential but very, very hard to find)

Sly & the Family Stone: Whole New Thing, Life, Stand, 'Riot, Fresh

P-Funk: Funkadelic: S/T, Maggot Brain, Free Your Mind, Live at Meadowbrook, Standing on the Verge, Let's Take it to the Stage

P-Funk: Parliament: Osmium, Up For The Downstroke, Chocolate City, Mothership Connection

P-Funk: Bootsy's Rubber Band: Stretchin Out, Ahh...the Name's Bootsy baby, Player of the Year, Live in Oklahoma (1976), Live in Louisville (1978)*

James Brown: In the Jungle Groove (get the superior 2003 reissue with the 7-minute 'Blind Man Can See' - killer), Motherlode, Payback, Love Power Peace, Say It Live & Loud

Minnie Riperton: Come To My Garden, Perfect Angel, Adventures in Paradise (these last two have just seen CD reissue on one budget-priced disc, i.e. Buy Now)

Syreeta: Syreeta, Stevie Wonder Presents...Syreeta

*The fattest, meanest, most ridiculously insane live recording of a 'funk' band I've ever heard. It's just so damn sick. Nothing will prepare you for this.

[Chuck the Plant]

When it comes to live soul albums, nothing can beat:

[Olimar is down]

Bill Withers - Just as I am

Bill WIthers - Still Bill

Funk Inc - Funk Inc

James Browns Funky People Parts 1 and 2 - They are crammed full of 24 carat tunes

Roy Ayes - Everybody loves the Sunshine/Red Black and Green/

Creative Source - Creative Source(worth it just for the epic 'Who is he and what is he to you'

[Strawp]

That Marlena Shaw album has got to be a summer album. I might look that up today.

No one's mentioned Edwin Starr yet...

[Calashnikov]

OK, I've drawn up a massive list of funky stuff to buy, but I'd maybe like some slightly smoother stuff to compliment it. Stuff like the Isley Brothers and shit. What's good?

Their cover version of Neil Young's 'Ohio' is one of my favourite songs. Totally epic.

[Baz]

James Browns Funky People Parts 1 and 2 - They are crammed full of 24 carat tunes

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Yes this is the first thing I was gonna post as it's awesome.

Also this Candi Staton collection (which I've just posted in another thread) is great:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B...4186383-5659612

To name but two.

[Dimahoo]

Nothing really to add here (and prehaps offtopic) but for something more 'jazz-funk' check out ..

Johnny Hammond Smiths 'Taurus/Gears LPs' and 'Gamblers Life'.

[squ1ffy]

A little late to the party:

Parliament - Funkentelecy vs the Placebo syndrome. Absoultely superb - along with Mothership Connection, best Parliament album.

Funkadelic - Standing on the Verge. Their most polished album, very consistent. Their first (called 'Funkadelic') is great too, more raw.

Curtis Mayfield - Get the Curtis/Got to Find a Way double CD. First track on Got to Find a Way (Love me right in the pocket) is genius.

Sly and the Family Stone - Fresh. Underrated, superb.

The Meters - Fire on the Bayou, damn funky.

Stevie Wonder - So much good stuff. Innervisions is a good place to start, all the albums in that era are great.

Herbie Hancock - Headhunters. Jazz/funk, good stuff.