Funky Stuff

"Funky Stuff" is a funk song recorded by Kool & the Gang for their 1973 album Wild and Peaceful.[1] Released as a single, the song reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"Funky Stuff"
Single by Kool & the Gang
from the album Wild and Peaceful
B-side"More Funky Stuff"
Released1973
GenreFunk
Length2:59
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Kool & the Gang
Producer(s)Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang singles chronology
"Country Junky"
(1973)		 "Funky Stuff"
(1973)		 "Jungle Boogie"
(1973)

Compendium

Funky Stuff was both produced and composed by Kool & the Gang. This single's b-side was a song called More Funky Stuff. Both of these tunes came off the band's 1973 studio album Wild and Peaceful.[1]

Critical reception

Amy Hanson of AllMusic wrote "Recording at the tiny Media Sound Studio in New York, one floor above Latin rockers Santana, the band jammed the track together as Santana's own session bled through the walls and floors. The resultant fusion was as inspiring as it was exciting -- certainly the sound of two so-disparate bands clashing in one tiny space helped to influence Kool's grooves and, by the time the session was over, this nine-minute marathon was on course to becoming a genre standard -- one of the best ever committed to vinyl grooves. Vital evidence of the band's new direction in sound, the song is the embodiment of heavy, deep funk, driven by horns and an effervescent beat.[2] James Hamilton of Record Mirror also found Funky Stuff is "Ideal disco, fare, It's a whistle and chanting supported monotonous honking instrumental with somepicky guitar over the braying brass and dully thumping rhythm. Parrty Pick."[3] Record World said the song is "funk & fun from the gang and includes lotsa percussion and whistles."[4] Irvine Herald reviewer Willie Freckleton named it "Freck's Freak of the Week for soul fans," saying that it's "a soul fan's paradise" with "whistle blowing, chanting the title and laden with atmosphere."[5]

Although popular in some regions, including New York, "Funky Stuff" was banned by some radio stations for using the word "funky."[6][7]

Legacy

"Funky Stuff" has been sampled by artists such as the Beastie Boys, Gangstarr, Mobb Deep, N.W.A. and Dilated Peoples.[8] The tune has been covered by jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb and French singer-songwriter Lizzy Mercier Descloux.[9]

Personnel
  • Khalis Bayyan – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, vocals
  • Robert "Kool" Bell – Fender bass guitar, vocals
  • George "Funky" Brown – drums, vocals
  • Robert Spike Mickens – vocals
  • Dennis "D.T." Thomas – conga, flute, alto saxophone, vocals
  • Clay Smith – guitar
  • Ricky West – vocals[8]

Charts
Chart (1973) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 29
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 5

References
  1. Kool & the Gang - Funky Stuff. Mercury Records. 1973.
  2. Hanson, Amy. "Funky Stuff - Kool & the Gang". AllMusic. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  3. Hamilton, James (November 17, 1973). "American Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror. p. 21. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  4. "Singles Reviews" (PDF). Record World. July 14, 1973. p. 14. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  5. Freckleton, Willie (November 30, 1973). "Freckleton in Discoland". Irvine Herald. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
  6. Rudman, Kal. "Money Music" (PDF). Record World. p. 28. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  7. "Everything Is Kool & the Gang". SPIN. October 1986. p. 81. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  8. "Kool & the Gang – "Funky Stuff" Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  9. "Funky Stuff by Kool & The Gang". Second Hand Songs. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  10. "Kool The Gang Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  11. "Kool The Gang Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
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