PLAYLIST | Cork | 7.7.11

10:30pm 

Eddie Kendricks - Keep on Truckin

Booker T and the Mg's - Hip Hug Her

Sly & The Family Stone - Family Affair

Instant Funk - I Got My Mind Made Up

The Gap Band - Humpin'

De La Soul - Say No Go

A Tribe Called Quest - Youthful Expression

The Afro's - Feel It

Slick Rick - Mona Lisa

Stevie Wonder - All Day Sucker

11:00pm

2nd II None - If You Want It

Parliament - Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)

A Tribe Called Quest - Luck Of Lucien

Crooklyn - The Crooklyn Dodgers

Gang Starr - Mass Appeal

Alkaholiks - Daaam!

George Benson - Gonna Love You More

Nas - One Love

De La Soul - Much More

Cypress Hill - Hits From The Bong

Warren G - This DJ

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Answer Me

Leon Haywood - I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You

Curtis Mayfield - Tripping Out

Craig Mack - Flava In Ya Ear

Notorious B.I.G. - Warning

Black Moon - I Gotcha Open

Al Wilson - Show & Tell

Ohio Players - Funky Worm

The Roots - Proceed

De La Soul - Dog Eat Dog

Slum Village - 2U4U

Del the Funky Homosapien - Sunny Meadowz

12:00am

Isaac Hayes - Hyperbolicsyllablicsesquedalymistic

Toots and the Maytals - Time Tough

Biggie - Unbelievable

Zhané - Hey Mr. D.J.

Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love

Too Short - Blow The Whistle

The Beatnuts feat. Big Pun, Cuban Link - Off The Books

Erick Sermon - React

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz - Deja Vu

De La Soul - Baby Phat

Grand Master Flash - The Message

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message

EPMD - So What Cha Sayin'

Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full

Snoop Dogg ft Nate Dogg & Kurupt - Ain't No Fun

Ol' Dirty Bastard feat Kelis - Got Your Money

Ghostface Killah - Cher Che La Ghost

Wu Tang Clan - Method Man - Dirty

E-40 ft Keak Da Sneak - Tell Me When To Go

1:00am

N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

Naughty By Nature - Uptown Anthem

Stetsasonic - Talkin' All That Jazz

Poor Righteous Teachers - Shaykila

A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxtion

Common - The Light

2Pac - I Get Around

The Pharcyde - Drop

Masta Ace INC - The INC Ride

KRS-One - Sound Of Da Police

Jay-Z featuring Foxy Brown - Ain't No Nigga 

END

PLAYLIST | Rose Alley Ale House | 7.1.11

9:30pm

The JB's - Same Beat (Parts 1, 2 & 3)

Bootsy Collins - Ahh...The Name Is Bootsy, Baby

Betty Wright - Clean Up Woman

Curtis Mayfield - Tripping Out

De La Soul - Foolin'

Gang Starr - Mostly Tha Voice

10:00pm 

The Gap Band - Yearning For Your Love

Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

George Benson - Gonna Love You More

Toots and the Maytals - Time Tough

Peter Broggs - A Feeling

A Tribe Called Quest - Jazz (We've Got)

Busta Rhymes - Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check

Leon Haywood - I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You

Delegation - Oh Honey

Dennis Edwards - Don't Look Any Further

A Tribe Called Quest - Check the Rhime

MC Lyte - Georgy Porgy

Biggie - Juicy

The Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long

Michael Mcdonald - I Keep Forgettin'

Billy Squier - The Stroke

The Guess Who - These Eyes

Jackson 5 - I Want You Back

11:00pm

Common - The Light

De La Soul - All Good

A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It

Faze-O - Riding High

Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full

A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation

Naughty by Nature - Hip Hop Horray

Erick Sermon - Music

Coolio - Fantastic Voyage

Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies

Kriss Kross - Jump

Naughty By Nature - Everything's Gonna Be Alright

LL Cool J - Doin It

Digital Underground - The Humpty Dance

Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love

Zapp & Roger - Cutie Pie

Bee Gees - Love You Inside Out

Ice Cube - You Know How We Do It

Biggie - Hypnotize

Dr Dre - Fuck Wit Dre Day

12:00am

Killer Mike - A.D.I.D.A.S.

Kanye West - Gold Digger

50 Cent - 21 Questons

De La Soul - Baby Phat

112 - Peaches and Cream

Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See

Ol' Dirty Bastard feat Kelis - Got Your Money

Dr Dre feat Snoop Dogg - The Next Episode

The Notorious B.I.G. ft Faith Evans - One More Chance Remix

Slum Village - Fall In Love

A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum

De La Soul - Ooooh

Nas - One Love

Lil Kim feat. 50 Cent - Magic Stick

Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be

Snoop Dogg ft Pharrell - Drop It Like Its Hot

Timbaland & Magoo - Luv 2 Luv U

Rick James - Mary Jane

Paperboy - Ditty

Punjabi MC - Beware Of The Boys

NORE - Nothin

Clipse ft Pharrell

Ron Browz Jim Jones ft Juelz Santana - Pop Champagne

1:00am 

Truth Hurts Ft. Rakim - Addictive

Erick Sermon - React

Missy Elliott - Work It - Clean

L.L. Cool J - Around the way girl

Soul 2 Soul - Back To Life

Teddy Riley - Rump Shaker

Bell Biv Devoe - I Thought it Was Me

House of Pain - Jump Around

Bel Biv DeVoe - Do Me!

Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two

Digital Underground - Kiss Me Back

Mary Jane Girls - In My House

Zapp & Roger - Doo Wa Ditty

De La Soul - Me Myself And I

Evelyn "Champagne" King - I'm in Love

Shannon - Let The Music Play

Wham!- Everything She Wants

Cameo - Word Up

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - White Lines

Newcleus - Jam On It

New Edition - Cool It Now

Stevie B - Spring Love

Tony Toni Tone - It Feels Good

Human League - Don't You Want Me Baby

The Jackson 5 - Shake Your Body Down

Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina

D Train - You're the One for Me

Prince - Raspberry Beret

Stevie B - I Wanna Be the One

Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing

Bon Jovi - Living On A Prayer 

END

Friday Funkdown | Kool & The Gang

Kool & The Gang was formed in 1964 in Jersey City, New Jersey.  Original members include Robert “Kool” Bell, brother Ronald Bell, George Brown, Robert Mickens, Dennis Thomas, Claydes Charles Smith and Rick Westfield.  Together, the band has sold over 70 million records.
They band was signed to De-Lite records in 1969 where they recorded their first album.  After some success on the Pop and R&B charts with their first few albums, the band found mainstream acceptance with the release of Wild and Peaceful, which included hits “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swingin”.  With the release of their next 2 albums Light of Worlds (1974) and Spirit of the Boogie (1975), Kool & The Gang reached the height of their success as a funk band.  Although their single “Summer Madness” gained much attention, the band decided to go in a different direction and test the up-and-coming pop-funk genre.
In 1979 James “J.T.” Taylor joined the group as their new lead singer.  His arrival lead to hits such as “Ladies Night”, “Celebration”, “Get Down On It” and “Joanna”.  “Fresh” and “Cherish” were both Top 20 hits on Emergency, which was released in 1984.
Since then, many of the original band members have retired, moved on to solo careers, or passed away.  However, Kool & The Gang is still touring with Robert and Ronald Bell as the only remaining original members.
Many hip hop artists have sampled Kool & The Gang, such as Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, NWA, Eric B. & Rakim, Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Moon and EPMD.
My mom was a huge Kool & The Gang fan, with either Robert Bell or J.T. on vocals.  They are like 2 totally different bands depending on who is singing.  I prefer the older, funkier Kool & The Gang as opposed to the more pop/r&b group of the 80s.  Whatever your preference, Kool & The Gang will always get people out on the dance floor.

 

Friday Funkdown | The J.B.'s

The J.B.’s are best known as the backup band for James Brown in addition to backing up Bobby Byrd, Lyn Collins and other members of the James Brown Revue.  The band was formed in 1970 after walking out on Brown because they felt they weren’t getting paid enough.  Original members include William “Bootsy” Collins, Phelps “Catfish” Collins, Bobby Byrd, John “Jabo” Starks, Clayton “Chicken” Gunnels, Darryl “Hasaan” Jamison, Robert McCollough and Johnny Griggs.
The original members are responsible for some of James Brown’s most popular jams such as “Super Bad”, “The Grunt”, “Soul Power”, “Sex Machine” and “Talkin’ Loud Aint Sayin’ Nothing”.  Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley joined the band in December 1970.  Soon after, Bootsy Collins, his brother, and many of the original band members left to join George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.
Together, the J.B.’s have recorded several hits like “Gimmie Some More”, “Pass The Peas”, “Breakin Bread” and “Cross the Track” which is one of my favorites.
There have been a number of hip hop artists that have sampled the J.B.’s.  Some more notable names include Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Ultramagnetic MC’s, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Geto Boys, and De La Soul.
Recently, I have been bumping a lot of the J.B.’s.  However, for some reason I haven’t been playing them a lot during my gigs… that will all change tomorrow night.  I have a special Matt Pina tribute birthday set in the lineup loaded with funk classics.

PLAYLIST | Cork: The Get Down Downtown | 6.16.11

Getting down at Cork every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

11:00pm

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall

A Tribe Called Quest - Jazz - Buggin Out

Biggie - One More Chance Hip Hop Remix

Leon Haywood - I Want To Do Something Freaky With You

Dr. Dre - Fuck Wit Dre Day

Mtume - Juicy Fruit

Stevie Wonder - Superstition

Zapp & Roger - Cutie Pie

A Tribe Called Quest - Find A Way

Nas - If I Ruled The World ft Lauren Hill

George Mccrae - I Get Lifted

Kool and the Gang - Jungle Boogie

George Clinton - Atomic Dog

Zapp - More Bounce to the Ounce

EPMD - You Gots To Chill

A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour

De La Soul - Baby Phat

12:00am 

The Gap Band - Outstanding

Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long

The Boogie Boys - A Fly Girl

A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxtion

Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full

Mad Lion - Take It Easy

Gang Starr feat. Nice & Smooth - DWYCK

Eric Sermon - Music

Slave - Just a Touch of Love

Big Boi - Shutterbugg

Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be

California Swag District - Teach Me How To Dougie

The Notorious B.I.G - Big Poppa

Nas - The World Is Yours

The Firm - Phone Tap

Craig Mack - Flava In Ya Ear

LL Cool J - I'm Bad

The Fugees - Fu-Ge-La

Alchemist ft. Prodigy & Nina Sky - Hold You Down

Da Brat - Funkdafied

Jr Mafia - Get Money

Biggie ft Faith Evans - One More Chance Remix

1:00am

Masta Ace - Born To Roll

Ice Cube - You Know How We Do It

A Tribe Called Quest - Check The Rhime

Common - The Light

Snoop Dogg ft Nate Dogg - Ain't No Fun

Black Sheep - The Choice Is Yours

Grandmaster Flash - The Message

Ice Cube feat. Das EFX - Check Yo Self

A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario

Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill A Man

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - They Reminisce Over You

Souls Of Mischief - 93 Till Infinity

Jay-Z - Change Clothes - Dirty

Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See

Truth Hurts Ft. Rakim - Addictive

Friday Funkdown | The Bar-Kays

The Bar-Kays first played together in 1966 as a backing band on Stax Records.  There were 6 original band members; Jimmy King, Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones, Carl Cunningham, Ben Cauley, and James Alexander.  Just as their career was taking off King, Caldwell, Jones and Cunningham along with Otis Redding and his manager, were killed in a plane crash over Lake Monona.  Cauley and Alexander were on a separate plane since there was only enough room for 8 passengers.
After some time, the remaining members began to rebuild the band.  They found success playing for Isaac Hayes on his albums “Hot Buttered Soul”, “Shaft”, “Movement” and “To Be Continued”.  The Bar-Kays were immediately recognized as a band with a lot of talent and were eventually signed to Mercury Records.
Soul Finger was released in 1967 and reached #3 on the R&B chart.  Other hits include Son Of Shaft (1972), Shake Your Rump To The Funk (1976), Lets Have Some Fun (1978), Hit & Run (1981), and Freak Show on the Dance Floor (1984).
Many hip hop artists have been influenced by The Bar-Kays such as; Cypress Hill, Ice Cube, De La Soul, Edan, Public Enemy, and The Beastie Boys.
I first heard the Freak Show On The Dance Floor when it was featured in the movie "Breakin".  I thought the song was kind of cool, and the chorus was catchy.  As I got older I was able to appreciate the talent of the entire band, both new and old members.  Hit & Run is constantly in my playlist whenever I play out.
The Bar-Kays are still available for booking and will be playing at the Monterey Blues Festival on June 24^th.  They still put on a pretty dope show and are worth checking out if you get the chance.

Friday Funkdown | Barry White

Barry Eugene White was born in Galveston, Texas in 1944.  His family eventually moved to South Central Los Angeles where he began playing piano at an early age.  White started gang banging with his brother Darryl and eventually was locked up for stealing over $30,000 worth of Cadillac tires.  While serving 4 months in jail he heard Elvis Presley sing “Now or Never” on the radio. That moment changed his life.


White began his music career in the 60s with several music groups.  His found success in 1972 when he produced the all female group Love Unlimited.  Their first album, From A Girls Point of View, We Bring to You… Love Unlimited sold over a million copies.

His solo career began in 1973 with singles “I’ve Got So Much To Give” and “I’m Gonna Give You Just a Little More Baby” which quickly soared to the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B chart.  Soon after, White recorded a number of hits including “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe”, “Never, Never Gonna Give You Up”, “What Am I Gonna Do With You” and “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me”.

Sadly, Barry White died in 2003 after struggling with obesity during most of his adult life.  He was posthumously inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
Quite a few hip-hop artists such as N.W.A., Rodney O and Joe Cooley, Nas, O.C., Black Moon and CMW have sampled Barry White.

I was introduced to Barry White as a young child in Boston, MA.  My mom had an extensive record collection and I can distinctly remember the I’ve Got So Much To Give album cover, which I was lucky to inherit.  My favorite Barry White song is the unmistakable baby-maker “Playing Your Game, Baby”.  Big ups to my man Rory Pendergast, the biggest Barry White fan I know.

Friday Funkdown | Leon Haywood

Leon Haywood started his career in the 1960’s in Houston, Texas as a singer/songwriter.  After relocating to Los Angeles he recorded over 20 US R&B singles on Decca Records, Columbia Records, and MCA Records.  His most popular single is “I Wanta Do Something Freaky To You” in 1974 which he recored on 20^th Century Records.  The single reached #7 on the R&B chart and #15 on the Pop chart on 1975.  His song “Push It, Don’t Force It” was a Top 40 hit single in the UK in 1980.  Haywood is also credited with writing the 1981 song "She's a Bad Mama Jama" recorded by Carl Carlton. Haywood is considered a one hit wonder by most.  However, his one hit is one of the funkiest songs of all time.  “I Wanta Do Something Freaky To You” is one of the most recognizable funk tracks ever, as it was sampled by Dr. Dre on “Nuthin But A G Thang”.  This was the first time I had ever heard of Leon Haywood.  Although he is improperly cited on the album as L. Hayward, it wasn’t long before we all figured out who he was.  Public Enemy, Bloods & Crips, Redman, Masta Ace, Aaliyah and 50 Cent have also sampled this song.
“I Wanta Do Something Freaky To You” sets the crowd off every time I play it.  I had one dude say to me “Are you really playing Leon Haywood right now?”  Yes my friend I am, and I will continue to play that single until my days of DJing are over.

PLAYLIST | Cork: Get Down Downtown | 5.19.2011

 

Start: 10:01pm

00:00  Rufus - You've Got the Love

01:03  James Brown - Make It Funky

02:30  Jackson 5 - I Want You Back

04:51  Sly & The Family Stone - If You Want Me To Stay

07:09  Janet Jackson - Nasty 104bpm

10:13  Lisa Stansfield - Been Around The World

13:27  Truth Hurts Ft. Rakim - - Addictive

15:35  Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See

18:48  Jeremih - Birthday Sex Bass Mix - Clean

21:33  Rihanna - S And M (Original)

24:32  Jennifer Lopez ft Pitbull - On The Floor

26:07  Stevie B - You Are The One

27:54  Rick James - Superfreak

29:25  New Edition - Cool It Now

32:01  Soul II Soul - Back To Life

34:53  Ini Kamoze - Here Comes The Hotstepper

35:36  Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love

38:56  Parliament - Flash Light

41:54  Parliament - Flash Light

43:35  Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

44:39  Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know It's True

46:10  Tara Kemp - Hold You Tight

47:57  Digital Underground - Humpty Dance

50:41  Shaggy ft Rik Rok - It Wasnt Me

52:56  LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl

54:37  K7 - Come Baby Come

56:08  Commodores - Nightshift

57:30  Curtis Mayfield - Tripping Out

11:01pm

59:50  Al Green - Here I Am (Come And Take Me)

1:03:10  A Tribe Called Quest - Find A Way

1:04:42  Mary J. Blige - Family Affair

1:08:02  The Notorious B.I.G. ft Faith Evans - One More Chance Remix

1:09:50  The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La

1:13:57  Snoop Dogg ft Pharrell - Drop It Like Its Hot

1:15:12  Black Eyed Peas vs DJ Danny Diggz - Imma Be

1:17:24  Killer Mike - A.D.I.D.A.S.

1:18:43  Lupe Fiasco - Kick Push (Clean)

1:20:47  Ice Cube - You Know How We Do It

1:23:31  Billy Squier - The Stroke

1:24:56  LeVert - Casanova

1:28:08  Pitbull ft NeYo, Afrojack and Nayer - Give Me Everything

1:30:27  Bon Jovi Vs. LMFAO - Shots Through The Heart

1:32:42  Kardinal Offishall vs. Prince - Dangerous vs. Kiss

1:36:13  Justin Timberlake/Michael Jackson - Sexy Jack

1:37:38  Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

1:39:09  Michael Jackson - Rock With You

1:41:29  Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enou

1:44:10  Cee Lo Green - Fuck You

1:48:07  Juvenile - Back That Azz Up - Dirty

1:49:46  Snoop Dogg - Gin and Juice

1:52:07  A Tribe Called Quest - Check The Rhime

1:54:14  Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy

1:58:22  Herb Alpert - Rise

12:04am

2:03:12  Herb Alpert - Rise

2:04:07  The Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize

2:05:13  De La Soul - Baby Phat (ft. Devin The Dude)

2:08:45  Kanye West - Gold Digger

2:11:50  Tevin Cambell - Can We Talk

2:14:44  The Beastie Boys - Paul Revere

2:18:26  A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum

2:20:18  Doug E. Fresh/Slick Rick - The Show

2:22:16  P.M. Dawn - Set Adrift Memory Bliss

2:23:53  Soul For Real - Every Little Thing I Do

2:26:02  Naughty By Nature - Hip Hop Hooray

2:27:25  Wreckx-n-Effect - Rump Shaker

2:30:06  House Of Pain - Jump Around

2:32:07  Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two

2:33:54  Tony Toni Tone - Feels Good

2:35:50  Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina

2:37:55  Rick James - Give It To Me Baby

2:41:09  Prince - Raspberry Beret

2:43:15  Black Eyes Peas - My Humps

2:44:44  The Dream ft Kanye West - Walkin On The Moon

2:48:07  Kardinal Offishall ft Akon - Dangerous

2:50:07  Outkast - The Way You Move

2:52:07  2 Live Crew - Me So Horny

2:54:12  Salt 'N' Pepa - Push It

2:56:49  J.J. Fad - Supersonic

2:58:41  Duice - Dazzey Duks

1:01am

3:00:38  H-Town - Knocking da Boots

3:04:44  De La Soul - Me, Myself and I

3:07:31  Gnarls Barkley -Crazy

3:10:43  Ghostface Killah - Cher Che La Ghost

3:14:24  Father MC f/ Jodeci - Everthing's Gonna Be Alright

3:15:21  Luther Vandross - Never Too Much

3:20:55  Johnny Gill - Rub You The Right Way

3:23:16  Jodeci - Freak Me

Friday Funkdown | Curtis Mayfield

Born in Chicago in 1942, Curtis Mayfield grew up in the infamous Cabrini-Green housing projects.  In search of a way out of the ghetto, he dropped out of high school, taught himself how to play guitar and eventually became the lead singer and songwriter for The Impressions.  After leaving The Impressions in 1970s, he began a very successful solo career blending his falsetto vocals with artistic medleys and funky bass grooves.   Curtis was one of the first mainstream musicians who delivered a political message through his music, which is evident in “Move On Up”.  The peak of his musical career came with the release of "Super Fly", the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film if the same name.
Tragically, Mayfield was injured in 1980 after stage lighting fell on him during an outdoor concert in Brooklyn, which left him paralyzed from the neck down.  Curtis eventually died in December 1999 from his subsequent declining health.
Mayfield’s music has left a lasting impression on hip-hop as he has been sampled by artists such as; EPMD, N.W.A., Pete Rock, Notorious B.I.G., Kanye West and 9^th Wonder to name a few.
I have always been fascinated by Curtis Mayfield’s voice, which is arguably the most recognizable falsetto of all time (sorry Aaron Neville).  Songs such as "The Makings of You", "Freddie’s Dead", "So In Love", and "Pusherman" remind me of the true beauty of music.

Friday Funkdown | The Meters

The Meters were a New Orleans-based band that was active from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s.  Original band members were Art Neville (vocals), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), George Porter Jr. (bass) and Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste (drums).  Their sound is undeniable earthy and groovy and can be heard in such tracks as “Cissy Strut”, “Sophisticated Cissy”, “Look-Ka-Py-Py” and my favorite “The Hand Clapping Song”.
In 1974, they were invited to play a private party for Paul McCarthy.  He was releasing his album Venus and Mars aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.  Soon after they toured world with The Rolling Stones in 1975 and 1976.  The band broke up in 1977.
Neville went on to gain huge success with The Neville Brothers, and after playing drums for Keith Richards, Zigaboo Modeliste decided to sue his producers over a contract dispute.  Zigaboo’s lawsuit continues to this day.  In his words; “When I found out how we was pillaged, how we was misused and abused, I couldn't get over it.  I just completely put the drums in the closet.”
Although they were never a big mainstream success, The Meters were highly influential to the funk movement.  Their music has been sampled by numerous hip-hop artists over the years, most notably Public Enemy, Gang Starr, Cypress Hill,  N.W.A., and Ice Cube in the late 80s/early 90s.
Doug Motta, who continues to enlighten me in the “I thought that sounded familiar” category of music, introduced me to this band.  I was amazed by the amount of samples that created some of my favorite songs of that era.  If it wasn’t for The Meters, we would have missed out on this hip-hop classic!

Friday Funkdown | Average White Band

The Average White Band (AWB) was formed as a Scottish funk band in 1972 by original members  Alan Gorrie, Malcolm “Molly” Duncan, Hamish Stuart, Roger Ball, Robbie McIntosh and Onnie McIntyre.  They had their big breakthrough in 1973 when Eric Claptons tour manager Bruce McCaskill liked them so much that he decided to manage them.  Soon after, they relocated to Los Angeles and were signed to Atlantic records in 1974. 

They reached the height of their success in 1975 with the single “Pick Up The Pieces” which sold over one million copies.  The song knocked Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good" out of #1 on its way to the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

You can hear samples from many AWB tracks by artists including the Beastie Boys, Arrested Development, TLC, The Beatnuts, Too Short, Ice Cube and Nas. 

My good friend Doug Motta first introduced me to AWB in 1999.  Since then, I have been a huge fan.  I always keep “Pick Up The Pieces”, “Cut The Cake” and one of my all time favorites “School Boy Crush” in heavy funk rotation.