2/17/17 O&A NYC WHAT THE FUNK: James Brown – Say It Loud I’m Black And I’m Proud

Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud performed by James Brown and written with his bandleader Alfred Pee Wee Ellis was released as a two-part single in 1968. The single held the number-one spot on the R&B singles chart for six weeks, and peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

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2/15/16 WHAT THE FUNK!: Sly & The Family Stone – Higher And Higher Live (1969)

I Want to Take You Higher, a song by the soul/rock/funk band Sly and the Family Stone, which also featured Stand! on the B side. Unlike most of the other tracks on the Stand! album, “I Want to Take You Higher” is not a message song; instead, it is simply dedicated to music and the feeling one gets from music. Continue reading

2/14/17 O&A NYC WHAT THE FUNK- VALENTINE’S DAY: Ebony Eyes- Rick James featuring Smokey Robinson

Ebony Eyes by super freak Rick James and Motown balladeer Smokey Robinson for the Gordy (Motown) label. The song was first featured on James’ album Cold Blooded. Continue reading