Soulive - Live (2003)

Boston-based Psychedelic Funk trio Soulive was formed in 1998 by brothers Neal and Alan Evans as well as funk guitarist Eric Krasno. While Alan's drumming is often very hip-hop oriented, Neal Evans' spacy hammond organ sounds like something off of a 70's Herbie Hacock record. Krasno plays funky jazz guitar solos in the mellow style of such greats as George Benson or Grant Green. The melange of these very distinct playing techniques leads to a rare and exciting blend of psychedelic jazz-funk. This is the band's 2003 live recording, which perfectly captures the drive and groove of a Soulive concert.

1.) Aladdin

2.) El Ron

3.) Solid

4.) First Street

5.) Shaheed

6.) Dig

7.) One in Seven

8.) Lenny

9.) Turn it Out

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra - Who is This America? (2004)

Heavily influenced by African music in general and Nigerian legend Fela Kuti in particular, New York-based ensemble Antibalas marries Afro-Beats with Deep Funk. The vibe of their jams is carried by dead-on basslines, hypnotic percussion grooves as well as massive, sometimes threatening horn arrangements. Most of the time the songs take lots of time to build up; just to finally peak in orgiastic saxophone solos or a state of complete trance.

1.) Who is This America Dem Speak of Today?

2.) Pay Back Africa

3.) Indictment

4.) Big Man

5.) Obanla'e

6.) Elephant

7.) Sister

8.) Money Talks

Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters (1973)

Being the top-selling jazz album of all time and the funkiest album ever to be added to the catalog of the U.S. National Recording Registry Head Hunters is a groundbreaking masterpiece in jazz fusion. A funky as shit blend of killer jazz grooves, insane solos and the characteristic outer space tone of Hancock's Fender Rhodes E-Piano, this album sounds as it had been recorded in another dimension. It is simply unbelievable how tracks that start off as simplistic as "Sly" or "Chameleon" suddenly gather momentum, just to ultimately catapult themselves into an acid trip of kick-ass wizardry.

1.) Chameleon

2.) Watermelon Man

3.) Sly

4.) Vein Melter