Bay Area funk

Bay Area funk innovates, from Sly Stone's psychedelic soul to Larry Graham's slapping bass and Tower of Power's horn-driven East Bay Grease.

Tracklist

  1. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) — Sly & The Family Stone
  2. What Is Hip? — Tower of Power
  3. Release Yourself — Graham Central Station
  4. Ffun — Con Funk Shun
  5. You Got Me Hummin' — Cold Blood
  6. Spank-A-Lee — The Headhunters
  7. Oakland Stroke — Tower of Power
  8. Sooner or Later — Larry Graham

Transcript

Welcome to OffStereo. Hope your afternoon's going well. Let's dig in.

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) — Sly & The Family Stone

Sly Stone, raised in Vallejo, California, was pivotal in Bay Area funk's fusion of soul, rock, and psychedelia. His band, Sly & The Family Stone, was groundbreaking for its racially integrated and mixed-gender lineup, as heard on 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)'.

What Is Hip? — Tower of Power

Moving from the pioneering sound of Sly Stone, the Bay Area developed its signature 'East Bay Grease' style. Tower of Power, formed in Oakland in 1968, defined this horn-driven funk-rock, showcasing the powerful brass that characterized the region's sound in 'What Is Hip?'.

Release Yourself — Graham Central Station

Larry Graham, Sly & The Family Stone's bassist, invented the 'slapping and popping' technique out of necessity, trying to play drums on his bass. He carried this driving bass innovation to Graham Central Station, blending gospel and psychedelic soul, as heard on 'Release Yourself'.

Ffun — Con Funk Shun

Bay Area funk's diverse expressions continued to flourish, with bands like Con Funk Shun emerging from Vallejo in 1969. Influenced by James Brown and Sly Stone, they achieved national success, proving the widespread impact of the West Coast sound with hits like 'Ffun'.

You Got Me Hummin' — Cold Blood

A strong blues influence permeated Bay Area funk, especially in the horn-heavy tradition. Cold Blood, founded in 1968, exemplified this fusion, coming to prominence after signing with Bill Graham and playing the Fillmore West, as heard on 'You Got Me Hummin''.

Spank-A-Lee — The Headhunters

Bay Area musicians also propelled jazz-funk fusion. Herbie Hancock assembled The Headhunters in 1973, featuring Oakland bassist Paul Jackson. Their debut, 'Head Hunters', became the biggest-selling jazz album of the 1970s, bringing this unique sound to wider audiences with 'Spank-A-Lee'.

Oakland Stroke — Tower of Power

Marvin Holmes noted the 'Oakland Stroke' referred to the guitar-based, strokin' rhythm prevalent in West Coast funk, distinguishing it from East Coast piano-driven jazz. Tower of Power embodies this regional identity, showcasing their powerful horn section on 'Oakland Stroke'.

Sooner or Later — Larry Graham

Larry Graham's impact on funk continued long after his time with Sly Stone. He carried his innovative spirit and distinct bass work into his solo career, further cementing his legacy as a funk pioneer, as heard on 'Sooner or Later'.

Thank you for joining us on OffStereo. The enduring spirit of Bay Area funk reminds us how a sound can truly capture the soul of a place and its people.