Shut the Funk up! A quick shag or an all night orgy?

For the past 3 years, club nights have moved to the sound of house music. But are we starting to see the end of this genre’s all-conquering reign and are we seeing the resurrection of its flamboyant and humble cousin, Funk?

I think we are.

Aretha Franklin – Get it right

Some would be inclined to agree.  Dub step producer turned Disco head, Skream, is a recent and notable addition to the role call of musicians who have turned their backs on a deep baseline. Not only that, but some argue that electronic dance music (EDM) has sucked the life out of the art of dance – Durham student and funk apprentice, Dom Batten, expressed his views “EDM has really divided people, its not common to see people breaking out the really colourful dance moves. Funk is different. Funk is making people open up, relax and dance.“

It all started with funk and soul.

It is worth remembering that without funk, disco or soul we wouldn’t have had any dance music. Whether it be techno, house or RnB; they all found inspiration in the original dance music halls of 70s disco. 

Luther Vandross – Never Too Much

Go all night.

The best thing about funk’s resurgence is that it is inevitably more accessible and inclusive than experimental EDM. Funk Padawan, Christian Spruit states  “EDM can be very hard to listen and dance to over an extended period because it’s so intense. Whereas with funk you can dance all night long, it’s the difference between a quick shag and an all-night lovemaking session!”

It’s a crazy notion, but could funk and soul unify all kinds of club goers, whatever your previous musical persuasion, under one funky funky roof?

I hope so.

Oliver Cheatam – Get down on a Saturday night