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That's Funky

Benny Golson

Label: Arkadia Records
Released: 2021
Views: 8,294

Tracks

Mack the Knife [Funky Version]; Moanin'; Sidewinder; Mississippi Windows; Work Song; Mortat [Modern Bebop Version]; Blues March.

Personnel

Album Description

Legendary Jazz Saxophonist and hit Composer Benny Golson and his All-Star cohorts (Nat Adderley, Monty Alexander, Ray Drummond, and Marvin ‘Smitty’ Smith) capture the heart of Funk on this stirring Arkadia Records album, “Benny Golson: That’s Funky”. Golson has put together a menu of tunes that represent some of Jazz music’s greatest hits, creating some of the Funkiest moments of the Century. When most people think of Funk, it’s generally associated with R&B stars such as George Clinton (and his Parliament/Funkadelic bands), or the Godfather of Soul, James Brown (whose former band members include Funk Royalty such as Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley). Well before the Clinton’s and Brown’s of music made their presence felt during the 60s, Hardbop Grandpop Horace Silver was the first to pull Funk out of the closet and call it by name with his classic “Opus De Funk” during the 50s. In a sense, this action made it “acceptable” for this Blues based sensibility to be recognized in Jazz in a formal way. Silver wasn’t the only voice laying down this sound, coaxing fans out of their seats to joyous romping and nodding their heads to funky rhythms. There were other architects who helped to build this brand of music and spread the funky word. Among them is Philadelphia born and bred saxophonist Benny Golson. “Benny Golson: That’s Funky”, from Arkadia Records, is not only a testament to the authors of some of the finest Jazz compositions, but also a recording of some of the funkiest performances of the past Century.