Continuum – A Journey Through Jazz
Episode 60: Jazz-Funk 1977, Part 8
The sixtieth edition of ‘Continuum, A Journey Through Jazz’ departs distinctively from its predecessors for a couple of reasons . . . one, it’s a full two hours long and two, it’s heavy on funky dance tunes that most would not include in the category of ‘jazz’ . . . and three, it was hijacked by my former DJ persona from the 1970’s.
This is the eight episode chronicling my own musical journey to jazz . . . starting with the discovery of jazz-funk in 1975 and progressing to this point in 1977 wherein I became a disco funk DJ that went by the name of Johnny Kool. Yes, I know. I had the white polyester suit and everything. It was a phase.
Despite the cultural backlash I might receive for revealing this fashion faux pas, I actually played some pretty good music. In fact, some of the best dance music ever recorded was deftly spun at the end of my colorful polyester clad arms – although it was often hard to see what I was doing with mirrored sunglasses on . . . and all that wavy hair. Oh, how I miss it.
Anyway, I flipped through my record collection and gathered together my favorite songs from 1977 that used to get people on the floor to dance . . . and it is my hope that they will have the same effect on you today.
If you don’t know how to get down, or get up and boogie, there is ample assistance available with the click of the download button from the Brothers Johnson, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Ohio Players, Marvin Gaye, Bionic Boogie (feat. Luther Vandross), Deniece Williams, T Connection, Ashford & Simpson, Heatwave, Slave, The Isley Brothers, Gap Band, Commodores, Pleasure, Con Funk Shun, Bar-Kays, Brick, L.T.D., The Pockets, Parliament, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, George Duke . . . and you can bet your last money that it’s all gonna be a stone gas honey.
If you would like to reach out to me, or Johnny Kool, with any comments, requests or suggestions – please do so by sending an email to Scott@SoulandJazz.com or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter by liking or following the Jazz Evangelist!
Agape ya’ll,
J. Scott Fugate, ‘The Jazz Evangelist’
Continuum – A Journey Through Jazz
Episode 60: Jazz-Funk 1977, Part 8
Artist – Track – Album – Year
The Brothers Johnson Brother Man Right On Time 1977
Earth, Wind & Fire Magic Mind All n’ All 1977
Ohio Players O-H-I-O Angel 1977
Marvin Gaye Got To Give It Up Live At The London Palladium 1977
Bionic Boogie (feat. Luther Vandross) Risky Changes Bionic Boogie 1977
Deniece Williams Time Song Bird 1977
T-Connection Do What You Wanna Do Magic 1977
Ashford & Simpson Don’t Cost You Nothing Send It 1977
Heatwave Boogie Nights Too Hot To Handle 1977
Slave Slide Slave 1977
Isley Brothers The Pride Go For Your Guns 1977
Gap Band Knuckle Head Funkin’ The Gap Band 1977
Commodores Squeeze The Fruit Zoom 1977
Pleasure Joyous Joyous 1977
Con Funk Shun Ffun Secrets 1977
Bar-Kays Let’s Have Some Fun Flying High On Your Love 1977
Brick Dusic Brick 1977
L.T.D. (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again Something To Love 1977
Pockets In The Pocket Come Go With Me 1977
Parliament Flash Light Funkentelechy Vs. The Placebo Syndrome 1977
Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson A Real Mother For Ya A Real Mother For Ya 1977
George Duke Reach For It Reach For It 1977
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