The basement funk and groove room was introduced to
give more value for money to people coming along to the soul nights.
There's now top soul and funk tunes in two rooms to
add another dimension to your night out.
Have fun.
Carl
Soul/funk fan
Here is a selection of tracks, hope it gives
you a feel for what is played in the basement.
Good ole music - The Parliaments
Usually use this as an ender. It just seems to happen that
way. Parliaments have cut some great Northern Soul tracks, 'Heart Trouble',
'Don't be sore at me'. You can hear on this track though the George Clinton
funkadelic influence starting to take shape.
Dap Walk - Ernie and the Top Notes
'Dap' the bass player in the band had bad feet and used to
walk funny. Hence the inspiration for the title on this one. I kid
you not.
Fever - Marie Queenie Lyons
Beefing up the old standard and making it her own. Could it
ever have been done this good.
It's just begun - Jimmy Castor Bunch
Big shout to the Northern B-Boy crew for this one of many
great tunes. Keep digging.
Amen Brother - Winstons
Soul fans will know the record for the flip-side, 'Colour
him father'.
Funky Mule - Ike and Tina Turner
This gallops along at a cracking pace for a mule. Mr Chris
gives me the honour of graciously letting me use his copy of this. What a
gent.
Cookies - Brother Soul
I like to think this was inspired by a
biscuit robbery on Sesame Street. With Cookie Monster arrested and
led off in handcuffs. Later to be released as all the evidence had been eaten.
Who knows? It's a track that puts the FUN in Funk. If it was a British band
would Biccies work the same?
Tighten Up - Archie Bell and the Drells
Tighten Up - Roosevelt Matthews, Billy Ball and The
Upsetters
Both been played. Archie Bell better for the dancers.
Upsetters is well frantic.
Hot Pants, I'm coming - Bobby Byrd
Name a song 'Hot Pants, I'm coming' and then make no
reference to Hot Pants anywhere in the song? The Shadows used to do it all the
time.
I need money - Ruth Davies
Nicknamed this one 'The female mugger'. Not a lady you
would want to meet up a dark alley. She's a toughie but does it well.
Message from the Meters - The Meters
'Get together' vibe on this one, play this early on.
It's got such a heavy sound it makes the shutters above the bar rattle.
Funky Chick - Majestics
Top class 'Funk45'. This was used in one of the
first KFC TV adverts. They've been very careful ever since not to
use funk tracks. Funk food sounds too much like Junk food maybe?
Give a man a break - Charles Mintz
Charles produces a stormer, leading the way for male
liberation. A Y-Front burner if ever there was one.
They call me Mr Tibbs - Quincy Jones
Across 110th Street
- Bobby Womack
Usually play a couple of Blaxploitation tracks on the night
just for good measure.
The Champ - Mohawks
Top tune to sharpen up your funky nod. Many thanks to Mr
Peasley for the loan of this one.
I believe in Miracles - The Jackson Sisters
Sweet sisters on this all time classic still sounds great.
And who would mind if the odd miracle or two did come true?
You'd better find (someone to love) - Towanda
Barnes
Here's a track that's been waiting for a funk room to
happen. Femme Funky soul, for sisters taking control.
All hail the Queen - Queen Eve and the Kings
Brand new release which harnesses the excitement of the
funk sound.
Last night changed it all - Esther Williams
Addictive catchy tune that gets stuck in you head. Big
contender for the one you'll go home singing.