Straight Masterpiece
January 25, 2015 1:28 PM Subscribe
L. Young & Da Youngstaz get funky! An amazing a cappella version of the already amazing funktastic anthem Uptown Funk.
As one commenter noted: The harmonies are so fucking tight that molecules couldn't get through that shit, osmosis would be impossible. I'm so impressed I can't even metaphor straight anymore.
As one commenter noted: The harmonies are so fucking tight that molecules couldn't get through that shit, osmosis would be impossible. I'm so impressed I can't even metaphor straight anymore.
Um...what the commenter said...tighter than a gnat's ass stretched over an oil drum!
posted by Quasimike at 1:51 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Quasimike at 1:51 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
Yes, please! And thanks.
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:56 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:56 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
is that line with short "Woo!" at the end from another song? Or is there an older song with a similar "woo"?
posted by mullacc at 1:59 PM on January 25, 2015
posted by mullacc at 1:59 PM on January 25, 2015
Funk is as funk does. The iTunes previews I've heard haven't really brung it for me. But I like my funk a little more dirty and with more room for the molecules and so on. So, you know, taste and mumble mumble.
posted by clvrmnky at 2:25 PM on January 25, 2015
posted by clvrmnky at 2:25 PM on January 25, 2015
Wonderful cover!
I know we had Uptown Funk on the Blue before and I really hate being the guy hijacking this section for his own purpose (although I don't hate it as much to stop myself right now) BUT do you wonderful people have upbeat funk recommendations in the vain of the sound Uptown Funk emulates? ( = Recommendations from the 70s and 80s are perfectly fine with me, it doesn't have to me contemporary.)
Thanks a bunch!
posted by bigendian at 2:39 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
I know we had Uptown Funk on the Blue before and I really hate being the guy hijacking this section for his own purpose (although I don't hate it as much to stop myself right now) BUT do you wonderful people have upbeat funk recommendations in the vain of the sound Uptown Funk emulates? ( = Recommendations from the 70s and 80s are perfectly fine with me, it doesn't have to me contemporary.)
Thanks a bunch!
posted by bigendian at 2:39 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
bigendian: Uptown Funk is pretty much straight-up James Brown style funkiness. So, if you have not checked out his strut, you need to.
Following on that: you can find more joints with a similar jam trawling through old Soul Train videos from the 1970s. For example: Soul Train Line Dance to Jungle Boogie
posted by jammy at 2:54 PM on January 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
Following on that: you can find more joints with a similar jam trawling through old Soul Train videos from the 1970s. For example: Soul Train Line Dance to Jungle Boogie
posted by jammy at 2:54 PM on January 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
is that line with short "Woo!" at the end from another song? Or is there an older song with a similar "woo"?
mullacc: Do you mean the squeaky "woo" the 'background singers' are chanting around 0:10 - i.e., chang chang woo ?
Or do you mean the rhythmic "woo" that happens around 0:50 - during the chorus of "Girls, hit your Hallelujah"?
If it's the latter, then it might be difficult to pinpoint a specific origin. To my mind, much of what makes this song, and the cover of this song, so amazing is what it partakes of African American gospel traditions. That kind of call-and-response (call: "I say this thing!" response: "Yes! Yay! Woo!") is a common, often vital, element. The influence it has had on contemporary music is both obvious and profound.
posted by jammy at 3:09 PM on January 25, 2015
mullacc: Do you mean the squeaky "woo" the 'background singers' are chanting around 0:10 - i.e., chang chang woo ?
Or do you mean the rhythmic "woo" that happens around 0:50 - during the chorus of "Girls, hit your Hallelujah"?
If it's the latter, then it might be difficult to pinpoint a specific origin. To my mind, much of what makes this song, and the cover of this song, so amazing is what it partakes of African American gospel traditions. That kind of call-and-response (call: "I say this thing!" response: "Yes! Yay! Woo!") is a common, often vital, element. The influence it has had on contemporary music is both obvious and profound.
posted by jammy at 3:09 PM on January 25, 2015
I love this song, but I feel like he bites off Michael Jackson's "Jam" in there in a few spots.
The a cappella thing is just gorgeous.
posted by nevercalm at 3:18 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
The a cappella thing is just gorgeous.
posted by nevercalm at 3:18 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Uptown Funk is the best new track I've heard in years--can't wait to share this version with my wife, who fell for the song even harder than I did. Thanks!
posted by saulgoodman at 3:19 PM on January 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by saulgoodman at 3:19 PM on January 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
BUT do you wonderful people have upbeat funk recommendations in the vain of the sound Uptown Funk emulates? ( = Recommendations from the 70s and 80s are perfectly fine with me, it doesn't have to me contemporary.)
It sounds a lot like 99% of the songs on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas's funk station, Bounce FM. Pretty much any of the artists on there would be a good place to start. The guitar line in "Uptown Funk" reminds me of "West Coast Poplock" in particular.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 3:26 PM on January 25, 2015 [6 favorites]
It sounds a lot like 99% of the songs on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas's funk station, Bounce FM. Pretty much any of the artists on there would be a good place to start. The guitar line in "Uptown Funk" reminds me of "West Coast Poplock" in particular.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 3:26 PM on January 25, 2015 [6 favorites]
I wonder if I'll still fit in my nik-nik?
I wonder if I could get away with those. They are fabulous in the extreme.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:28 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
I wonder if I could get away with those. They are fabulous in the extreme.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:28 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Bounce FM.
My ears thank you and wish to send you presents.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:36 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
My ears thank you and wish to send you presents.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:36 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
do you wonderful people have upbeat funk recommendations in the vain of the sound Uptown Funk emulates?
You might enjoy searching for D.C. Go-Go on Spotify.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 5:17 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
You might enjoy searching for D.C. Go-Go on Spotify.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 5:17 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
It kind of sounds like something The Time would've done. There's a very 80s pop-funk bounce to it of the sort The Time did, like in the song Cool.
posted by droplet at 5:28 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by droplet at 5:28 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
Just off the top of my head, the Ohio Players, Parliament/Funkadelic, Kool and the Gang, the Isley Brothers, and War are some great 70s funk bands.
posted by CincyBlues at 5:29 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by CincyBlues at 5:29 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
Oh, and how could I forget The Meters?
posted by CincyBlues at 5:31 PM on January 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by CincyBlues at 5:31 PM on January 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
Sorry for hogging the thread, but I just had a fun thought: wouldn't it be the shit if Vladimir Putin did an a capella version of "BRICS House?"
posted by CincyBlues at 5:50 PM on January 25, 2015
posted by CincyBlues at 5:50 PM on January 25, 2015
In my mind, the original version of this song is a straight homage to The Time.
If you can rock to this, you can rock to The Bird and My Summertime Thang #3.
posted by elmer benson at 5:51 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
If you can rock to this, you can rock to The Bird and My Summertime Thang #3.
posted by elmer benson at 5:51 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
Nice! That's some fine tight vocal skillz right there.
And, yeah, the original very much reminded me of The Time in several parts.
posted by rmd1023 at 6:58 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
And, yeah, the original very much reminded me of The Time in several parts.
posted by rmd1023 at 6:58 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
It kind of sounds like something The Time would've done
It's VERY similar to Jungle Love.
posted by thedaniel at 7:45 PM on January 25, 2015
It's VERY similar to Jungle Love.
posted by thedaniel at 7:45 PM on January 25, 2015
Nthing the similarities between Uptown Funk and anything by The Time. With a smattering of Walk The Dinosaur.
Every time I hear that song I expect Jerome to pop out with a mirror so Bruno Mars can fix his hair.
Vernon Reid was tweeting about Uptown Funk influences a few days ago.
posted by thecjm at 7:51 PM on January 25, 2015
Every time I hear that song I expect Jerome to pop out with a mirror so Bruno Mars can fix his hair.
Vernon Reid was tweeting about Uptown Funk influences a few days ago.
posted by thecjm at 7:51 PM on January 25, 2015
bigendian: Not sure if you would call it upbeat but here's one my favorite pieces o' funk Can You Get To That - Funkadelic
As for this a cappella Uptown, I like it more than the original.
posted by hoodrich at 8:35 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
As for this a cappella Uptown, I like it more than the original.
posted by hoodrich at 8:35 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Huh. Vernon hears a bit of The Groove Line in it, and I agree, that high tone on the guitar is definitely borrowed from Heatwave. And yes, there's some Nile Rodgers going on in this song, too. Mark Ronson must have a terrific record collection.
But it hits me that this is why I merely like Bruno Mars, and don't love him. It's all very entertaining, he's got a terrific voice, and he's an exemplary showman, but he's still an impersonator just as when he was a boy and impersonating Elvis. Even though he doesn't do direct covers, in essence I've heard all his stuff before, seen his dancing before. He "quotes" Earth, Wind and Fire, James Brown, Michael Jackson, The Police, Sublime...
He's just this side of a karaoke act, and that's OK because kids will learn about his influences, one hopes, and become interested in some of the old music. If he ever decides to use his own voice, as it were, and create his own sound, that might be something epic!
posted by droplet at 9:27 PM on January 25, 2015
But it hits me that this is why I merely like Bruno Mars, and don't love him. It's all very entertaining, he's got a terrific voice, and he's an exemplary showman, but he's still an impersonator just as when he was a boy and impersonating Elvis. Even though he doesn't do direct covers, in essence I've heard all his stuff before, seen his dancing before. He "quotes" Earth, Wind and Fire, James Brown, Michael Jackson, The Police, Sublime...
He's just this side of a karaoke act, and that's OK because kids will learn about his influences, one hopes, and become interested in some of the old music. If he ever decides to use his own voice, as it were, and create his own sound, that might be something epic!
posted by droplet at 9:27 PM on January 25, 2015
do you wonderful people have upbeat funk recommendations in the vain of the sound Uptown Funk emulates?
You might like The Brothers Johnson, or The Whispers, Brick, or LTD.
posted by billyfleetwood at 11:15 PM on January 25, 2015
You might like The Brothers Johnson, or The Whispers, Brick, or LTD.
posted by billyfleetwood at 11:15 PM on January 25, 2015
do you wonderful people have upbeat funk recommendations in the vain of the sound Uptown Funk emulates?
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound's "Sister Ray Charles" makes me smile and dance. Also like their "Want More."
Mavis Staples's cover of "Can You Get To That" is terrific.
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:32 AM on January 26, 2015
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound's "Sister Ray Charles" makes me smile and dance. Also like their "Want More."
Mavis Staples's cover of "Can You Get To That" is terrific.
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:32 AM on January 26, 2015
> Uptown Funk is the best new track I've heard in years
Me too—in fact, it's the first hit single I've bought since the '80s! (Of course, now instead of running down to Disc-O-Mat I just hit a button on my iPhone...)
Thanks for posting this wonderful version!
posted by languagehat at 8:22 AM on January 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Me too—in fact, it's the first hit single I've bought since the '80s! (Of course, now instead of running down to Disc-O-Mat I just hit a button on my iPhone...)
Thanks for posting this wonderful version!
posted by languagehat at 8:22 AM on January 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
do you wonderful people have upbeat funk recommendations in the vain of the sound Uptown Funk emulates?
I spent the morning diving into the links on this thread and pouring through my music library and created the definitive answer with this Spotify playlist. Uptown Funk definitely derives most from The Time, but there's a wealth of great funk I can remember skating at the roller rink to, just before disco became a bland white person thing. I don't think *all* of these songs share that much with Uptown Funk, but including James Brown seems like the thing to do, and that Mavis Staples cover is just too good.
For the Spotify impaired (I respect your ability to resist):
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson
Get on the Good Foot Pt 1 and @ - James Brown
Jungle Boogie - Kool & the Gang
Let it Whip -- Dazz Band
I Can Make You Dance -- Zapp
Hollywood Swinging -- Kool & the Gang
Love Rollercoaster -- Ohio Players
Cold Blooded -- Rick James
Twilight -- Maze
Yum Yum (Gimme Some) -- the Fatback Band
Between the Sheets -- The Isley Brothers
West Coast Poplock -- Ronnie Hudson
Fantastic Voyage -- Lakeside
Loopzilla -- George Clinton
Candy -- Cameo
Love is the Message -- MFSB
Funky Worm -- Ohio Players
Odyssey -- Johnny Harris
Running Away -- Roy Ayers
You Dropped a Bomb On Me -- The Gap Band
Let's Get Small -- Trouble Funk
Bustin' Loose -- Chuck Brown
Wind Me Up Chuck/Hoochie Coochie Man -- Chuck Brown
Da' Butt -- E.U.
E.U. Freeze -- E.U.
Cat In the Hat -- Little Benny & The Masters
Cool -- The Time
Somebody's Watching Me -- Rockwell
Fire on the Bayou -- The Meters
Hey Pocky A Way -- The Meters
Brick House -- Commodores
The Bird -- The Time
My Summertime Thang #3 -- The Time
Jungle Love -- The Time
The Groove Line -- Heatwave
More Bounce to the Ounce -- Zapp
Can You Get To That -- Mavis Staples
Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody -- Brick
(Everytime I Turn Around) Back in Love Again -- L.T.D.
Sister Ray Charles -- JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
Want More -- JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
Wow! What a find, I'd never heard of these guys, thanks Monkey Toes
She's A Bad Mama Jama -- Carl Carlton
Word Up -- Cameo
Too Hot to Stop -- The Bar-Kays
Freakshow on the Dance Floor -- The Bar-Kays
Outlaw -- War
and of course
Double Dutch Bus -- Frankie Smith
There's no way to make a playlist public and collaborative at the same time, so post some other ones and I'll add them.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 11:04 AM on January 26, 2015 [8 favorites]
I spent the morning diving into the links on this thread and pouring through my music library and created the definitive answer with this Spotify playlist. Uptown Funk definitely derives most from The Time, but there's a wealth of great funk I can remember skating at the roller rink to, just before disco became a bland white person thing. I don't think *all* of these songs share that much with Uptown Funk, but including James Brown seems like the thing to do, and that Mavis Staples cover is just too good.
For the Spotify impaired (I respect your ability to resist):
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson
Get on the Good Foot Pt 1 and @ - James Brown
Jungle Boogie - Kool & the Gang
Let it Whip -- Dazz Band
I Can Make You Dance -- Zapp
Hollywood Swinging -- Kool & the Gang
Love Rollercoaster -- Ohio Players
Cold Blooded -- Rick James
Twilight -- Maze
Yum Yum (Gimme Some) -- the Fatback Band
Between the Sheets -- The Isley Brothers
West Coast Poplock -- Ronnie Hudson
Fantastic Voyage -- Lakeside
Loopzilla -- George Clinton
Candy -- Cameo
Love is the Message -- MFSB
Funky Worm -- Ohio Players
Odyssey -- Johnny Harris
Running Away -- Roy Ayers
You Dropped a Bomb On Me -- The Gap Band
Let's Get Small -- Trouble Funk
Bustin' Loose -- Chuck Brown
Wind Me Up Chuck/Hoochie Coochie Man -- Chuck Brown
Da' Butt -- E.U.
E.U. Freeze -- E.U.
Cat In the Hat -- Little Benny & The Masters
Cool -- The Time
Somebody's Watching Me -- Rockwell
Fire on the Bayou -- The Meters
Hey Pocky A Way -- The Meters
Brick House -- Commodores
The Bird -- The Time
My Summertime Thang #3 -- The Time
Jungle Love -- The Time
The Groove Line -- Heatwave
More Bounce to the Ounce -- Zapp
Can You Get To That -- Mavis Staples
Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody -- Brick
(Everytime I Turn Around) Back in Love Again -- L.T.D.
Sister Ray Charles -- JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
Want More -- JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
Wow! What a find, I'd never heard of these guys, thanks Monkey Toes
She's A Bad Mama Jama -- Carl Carlton
Word Up -- Cameo
Too Hot to Stop -- The Bar-Kays
Freakshow on the Dance Floor -- The Bar-Kays
Outlaw -- War
and of course
Double Dutch Bus -- Frankie Smith
There's no way to make a playlist public and collaborative at the same time, so post some other ones and I'll add them.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 11:04 AM on January 26, 2015 [8 favorites]
Oh sweet Jesus, speaking of The Time, how did we forget early Prince? Uptown Funk could easily be an out take from Controversy.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:03 PM on January 26, 2015
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:03 PM on January 26, 2015
well, The Time did start out as Prince's side project for music that sounded like his early material, so
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 12:10 PM on January 26, 2015
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 12:10 PM on January 26, 2015
is that line with short "Woo!" at the end from another song? Or is there an older song with a similar "woo"?
Absurdly enough, the "woo!" I was thinking of came from a (nsfw) youtube video called "Big Booty Bitches." Heh.
posted by mullacc at 3:20 PM on January 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Absurdly enough, the "woo!" I was thinking of came from a (nsfw) youtube video called "Big Booty Bitches." Heh.
posted by mullacc at 3:20 PM on January 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
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I heart Uptown Funk so much.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:51 PM on January 25, 2015 [2 favorites]