Hi, hello, hey, howdy.
How's it going?
It's been a minute since I've written one of these love letters to music. It gets like that sometimes, but I'm back and it seems revival is the theme because I'm noticing a trend in what's trendy right about now. Let's talk about the rebirth of Funk and Soul.
The feel-good music genres which were so popular in the 70's and 80's have been making a steady resurgence over the last five years and it's latest stamp on the pop charts comes from Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak with 'Leave The Door Open' produced (of course) by Bootsy Collins.
What started off as a radical funk you to 'the man' and a celebration of black-blackity-blackness, to be played at birthday parties, BBQ's and nights in with your boo; exploded and spilled into dancehalls and discos in the early 80's. Along with the 'Black is beautiful' movement came huge afros and wide collars, rollerskates and blunts, and within the whole mix - psychedelia, funk and soul. I would spend rainy afternoons twisting my headphone cords around my fingers, dreaming of a time-machine that could transport me to an episode of Soul Train. I'd watch Earth Wind and Fire late on school nights and bring the melody into school with me the next morning. It's an era that resonates with me as a lover of my natural hair, melanin and music that speaks to the depths of my soul, inspiring movement and natural rhythm.
Now with a rebranded wave of social justice in the BLM movement comes a myriad of music which forms the soundtrack of unapologetic black pride.
During this p****mic, the rebirth of funk and soul couldn't have come at a better time. It has it all - infectious tempos to beat any mood, fashion that never goes out of style and a celebration of blackness. So I've created a playlist on Spotify with some of the latest soul and funk songs I've been jamming to recently as well as the classics.
💜💜💜 PLAYLIST LINK HERE: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6LJtF46fxmgrfGb2PIsXtf?si=GnUDmHycT5WNr_oxL6Pakg
As always, I hope you enjoy it.
Love,
M x
