When Tower of Power asked, “What is Hip?” Clyde Stubblefield answered! Grooves don’t get much hipper than this. Recorded in 1969, released in 1970, and again on CD in 1986, “The Funky Drummer” from the album In The Jungle Groove is Clyde’s Sistine Chapel—a masterpiece of pure perfection. The band originally went in to record another great James Brown track. As was typical, James dictated the arrangement as they played. The groove felt so good halfway through that he decided on the spot to title the song after the drummer laying down the funk. To say this drum groove was influential is an understatement. It has been sampled more than any other recording on the planet, influencing every funk drummer from David Garibaldi to Dennis Chambers. It undoubtedly deserves a spot in the top five drum grooves of all time. I defy you not to tap your foot or move […]

June 2024 Issue