Faze-O - Riding High

Today Marks The 47th Anniversary of Faze-O’s Debut Studio Album “Riding High” Originally Released on April 5, 1977.

Riding High is the debut album by the Dayton, Ohio funk band Faze-O released on She Records a subsidiary label of Atlantic Records.

The album peaked at #19 on the Top R&B Albums chart and reached #99 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album released the single "Riding High", The song peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.

"Riding High" went on to be an oft-sampled song for many hip hop and R&B acts from the late 1980s onwards. It was first sampled in Fresh Four's "Wishing on a Star" in 1989, produced by The High & Mighty.

Track-listing

1. Riding High

2. Funky Reputation

3. You And I (Belong Together)

4. Toe Jam

5. True Love

6. Get Some Booty

7. Test - This Is Faze-O

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. 

 

James Brown - Sho Is Funky Down Here

This Month Marks The 51st Anniversary of James Brown’s 31st Studio Album “Sho Is Funky Down Here” Originally Released April 1971.

Sho Is Funky Down Here is the 31st studio album by American Soul, Funk musician James Brown, released in 1971 on King Records.

The album peaked at #26 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and #137 on The Billboard 200 in 1971.

The album is an entirely instrumental album, it's full of heavy fuzzed-out guitars in a jazzy psychedelic rock style, resembling the first records by Funkadelic.

Track-listing

All tracks composed by James Brown and David Matthews

1. "Sho Is Funky Down Here"

2. "Don’t Mind"

3. "Bob Scoward

4. "Just Enough Room For Storage"

5. "You Mother You"

6. "Can Mind"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

 

Stone City Band - The Boys Are Back

Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of The Release of The Stone City Band’s 2nd Studio Album “The Boys Are Back” Originally Released April 3, 1981.

The Boys Are Back is the second studio album by Rick James’ backing band The Stone City Band released by Gordy Records in 1981.

The album reached number 53 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums music chart.

Two singles were released from the album “All Day And All Of The Night” and “Funky Reggae”

The Boys Are Back came out around the same time as Street Songs; while that classic went multi-platinum and is widely regarded as James most essential album, The Boys Are Back received little attention and died a quick death as a result of the success of Rick James’ Street Songs album.

Track-listing

Side One

A1. All Day and All of the Night

A2. Feel Good 'bout Yourself

A3. Keep Love Happy

A4. Ganja

Side Two

B1. Freaky

B2. Funky Reggae

B3. Lovin' You Is Easy

B4. Tin Soldier

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. 
 

James Brown - I'm Real

Today Marks The 36th Anniversary of James Brown’s 54th Studio Album “I’m Real” Originally Released April 2, 1988.

I'm Real is the 54th studio album by American soul, funk musician James Brown. The album was released in 1988 on Scotti Bros. Records.

The album peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The album released two hit singles the album title track “I’m Real” and “Static”.

The single “I’m Real “ peaked at #31 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

The song's horn section is reminiscent of both "Soul Power" and "Think (About It)”.

His songs lyrics assert his primacy and relevance as a performer over and against the many musicians who sample his work.

The song “Static” peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

The song contains samples of four songs, "I Know You Got Soul", "Hot Pants (I'm Coming, I'm Coming, I'm Coming)", "Alice, I Want You Just for Me", and "Hot Pants Road".

Static was the last Top 40 hit James Brown's career.

All of the tracks were produced, written and arranged by Full Force, with the exception of "I'm Real" (co-written by Full Force and Brown) and "It's Your Money $" (written and produced solely by Brown).

Track-listing

1. "Tribute (Full Force)"

2. "I'm Real"

3. "Static (Part 1 & 2)"

4. "Time To Get Busy"

5. "You And Me"

6. "Interview"

7. "She Looks All Types A' Good"

8. "Keep Keepin'"

9. "Can't Git Enuf"

10. "It's Your Money $"

11. "Godfather Runnin' the Joint (Full Force)"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

James Brown - Nonstop!

Today Marks The 41st Anniversary of James Brown’s 51st Studio Album “Nonstop!” Originally Released April 2. 1981.

Nonstop! is a studio album by American Soul, Funk musician James Brown.

The album was released in April 1981 and was released on Polydor Records. .

The album was compiled of outtakes from his previous album, “Soul Syndrome”; The album was created to fulfilled his contract obligations with T.K. Records

Track-listing

All tracks composed by James Brown; except where indicated

1. "Popcorn 80's"

2. "Give That Bass Player Some" (Susaye Brown)

3. "You're My Only Love" (James Brown, St. Clair Pinckney)

4. "World Cycle Inc." (L. Rhodes )

5. "Super Bull / Super Bad"

6. "Love 80's" (James Brown, Susaye Brown)

7. "I Go Crazy"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

 

Today Marks The 51st Anniversary of Betty Davis’ Debut Self-Titled Album “Betty Davis Originally Released on April 2,1973.

Betty Davis is the eponymous debut studio album by American funk singer Betty Davis, released through Just Sunshine Records in 1973.

The album reached #54 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.

The album’s lead single If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up” reached #66 on the IS Billboard R&B charts.

The album was produced by Greg Errico and features contributions from a number of noted musicians such as Neal Schon, Merl Saunders, Sylvester, Larry Graham, Pete Sears, and The Pointer Sisters.

In 2007, the album was re-issued on CD and vinyl by the Light in the Attic label. The CD reissue includes three previously unreleased bonus tracks, all from the same album sessions.

Track-listing

1. If I'm in Luck I Might Get Picked Up

2. Walkin' Up the Road

3. Anti Love Song

4. Your Man My Man

5. Ooh Yeah

6. Steppin' in Her I. Miller Shoes

7. Game Is My Middle Name

8. In the Meantime

9. Come Take Me (Bonus Track)

10. You Won't See Me in the Morning (Bonus Track)

11. I Will Take That Ride (Bonus Track)

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

Mandrill - Mandrill

 

Today Marks The 53rd Anniversary of Mandrill’s Self-titled Debut Album “Mandrill “ Originally Released April 1, 1971.

Mandrill is the debut album by the Brooklyn, New York-based funk band Mandrill, released in April 1971.

The album peaked at #27 on the Billboard R&B albums chart and #48 on Billboard’s Pop Albums chart.

The self-titled single "Mandrill" reached #95 on the Billboard US Pop charts.

Track-listing

1. "Mandrill"

2. "Warning Blues"

3. "Symphonic Revolution"

4. "Rollin' On"

5. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement I (Birth)"

6. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement II (Now)"

7. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement III (Time)"

8. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement IV (Encounter)

9. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement V (Beginning)

10. "Chutney"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.