Various Artists - Function Underground: Black & Brown American Rock Sound 1969-1974

The idea of “progressivism” that took over rock music after psychedelia’s heyday in the late 1960s belatedly spilled over to funk. In the early 1970s, as the underground and psychedelic fire burnt out in the white rock world, it roared to a blaze in the black and brown musical communities. Nearly every American city with a large black population boasted self-contained funk bands that didn’t consider themselves simply revues or backup groups, but rather fully-operational ensembles In these bands, everything from composing, arranging, record production and distribution, was handled in house by band members.

These are the bands whose music comprises this anthology, and while they’re all different, they’re unique in one way: they kept their ears open for new developments in funk and rock music. Function Underground shines light on an important and overlooked part of rock n’ roll’s history and talented ensembles that toiled in the shadows.

Track List

1 There's a Wrinkle in Our Time - 1984
2 Down By the River - Purple Snow
3 Jimi's Guitar Raps with the Bass - Jimi Macon
4 Corruption Is the Thing - Creations Unlimited
5 Function Underground - We the People
6 Loaded Back - Michael Liggins and the Super Souls
7 Stone Coal White - Stone Coal White
8 BL Movement - Blacklites
9 Drugs Ain't Cool - Ebony Rhythm Band
10 I'm a Man - Cisneros and Garza Group
11 Blind Man (Single Version) - la Carnival
12 The Siesta Is Over - Revolution
13 Just Got to Be Free - Black Conspirators
14 I Want to Take You Higher - Black Maffia