Ape Culture - What the Funk

What The Funk!

By Daron Faught

Republican vs. Democrat?
Great Taste vs. Less Filling?
Boxers vs. Briefs?
John vs. Paul?

vs.

These debates have plagued mankind for centuries and recently a new dilemma reared its ugly head: Millenium Funk Party (Rhino Records) or Pure Funk (Polygram TV)? My purpose is to guide you to the funk compilation that best suits your needs and will make you jump back and kiss yourself.

Let's start with the songs both albums have in common. "Brick House" by the Commodores, "Jungle Boogie" by Kool and the Gang, "Pick Up the Pieces" by the Average White Band, "Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus and "Superfly" by Curtis Mayfield all appear on both collections. Not a bad song in the bunch.

Now for the bands who have diferrent selections on both albums. Earth Wind and Fire have "Shining Star" on Pure Funk and "Serpentine Fire" on MFP. Advantage: Pure Funk. The Gap Band have "Early In the Morning" on Pure Funk and "You Dropped a Bomb On Me" on MFP. Advantage: MFP. The Ohio Players have "Fire" on Pure Funk and "Love Rollercoaster" on MFP. Advantage: Pure Funk. And Parliament have "Flashlight" on Pure Funk and "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker" on MFP. Advantage: MFP.

So far, everything's pretty even but the toughest part is finally here. Pure Funk has "Super Freak" by Rick James, "Word Up" by Cameo, "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas and "Shaft" by Isaac Hayes. MFP has "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, "What Is Hip?" by Tower of Power and "Do It" by B.T. Express. All of these songs are required funk learning.

If you have to pick one collection, I would probably go with "Pure Funk" but buying both collections plus any James Brown anthology will definitely make you the master of your own Millenium Funk Party!

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