This thread is inspired by some of the recent great posts on this board.  The reason I picked on 1973 is, it's just before Disco got big, there was an awful lot of great Funky music around, and Funk was one the freshest and best sounds around in 1973.  At least then (at 13) I thought so...

Yes?  So, post a song from 1973 - something you consider Funky - and good, of course!
I'll start it off with this:

Kool and the Gang - Funky Stuff  :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umVRh0Rpi14

how bought Ladies Night next?

how bought Ladies Night next?


Well I really was thinking 1973  :-\\    but just for you - why not  :)

Kool and the Gang - Ladies' Night (1979 - not 1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS8xzin7z28

Note the biggest difference between the 1973 Kool and the Gang and their 1979+ counterpart: lead singer James "J.T." Taylor...

So, back to 1973 - this, the last top 20 hit for this iconic group, was a fave from the summer of '73:

Sly and the Family Stone - If You Want Me To Stay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZFabOuF4Ps

8)

guess I'm just not familiar with 73

guess I'm just not familiar with 73


My hope is, follow this thread and you'll be more familiar with 1973  ;) 

I'll try

This much beloved Stevie Wonder smash is seriously awesome - and seriously FUNKY!  :D

Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wZ3ZG_Wams

A sobering tidbit on this song - at the time it was flying up the charts, Stevie Wonder was in the horrific car accident that nearly took his life.  His publicist sang this tune to Stevie in the hospital to encourage him to heal...

Spinners- It's A Shame


Great tune IMO, but not released in 1973  :-\\  - on the other hand, it was co-written by the aforementioned Stevie Wonder  :)

Here are a couple of my favourite funky songs from 1973. Interesting live show clip too...

ipOz_k9zvzo

hzQnPz6TpGc

The group War certainly knew how to get funky  :D

War - The Cisco Kid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_a_oxPa4Wk

Incidentally, this video is from the live Midnight Special version - the studio recording version was overdubbed

Great tune IMO, but not released in 1973  :-\\  - on the other hand, it was co-written by the aforementioned Stevie Wonder  :)



Then why did it say 1973? ???

Then why did it say 1973? ???


Could be the group performed it in 1973 (sometimes groups perform their old stuff in later years if it's popular) - just speculating...

Or perhaps the poster didn't know...

Incidentally, It's A Shame was a Spinners smash hit in 1970  :)

cant hear it    was a good friend of mine?

cool, I recalled a few words.  still couldn't hear it right unfortunately but know I know the rhythm and stuff. 

Does Philly Soul count?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhtFzdpudOk

Does Philly Soul count?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhtFzdpudOk


Yes!  :D

it hurts no good

This funky tune possesses a strong Jackson 5 vibe (at least that's what we thought in '73 ;D)

Foster Sylvers - Misdemeanor (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck1p-WiDkD8

Here's one for you:
https://youtu.be/-cmo6MRYf5g

Here's another gem:

q1DDgNCLD84

but I want gold

Here's one for you:
https://youtu.be/-cmo6MRYf5g


Superfly - great choice!  :D

I thought I'd repost the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cmo6MRYf5g
Curtis Mayfield - Superfly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ODRdRYRso
From Stevie Wonder's Innervisions album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ODRdRYRso
From Stevie Wonder's Innervisions album


I'm ashamed to say, the first time I heard this, I didn't like it  :-Higher Ground 45 single, and I was expecting something more like Higher Ground.  I didn't embrace the jazzy feel - at first.  After a little time, I saw the brilliance in this song and started liking it - a lot.  (Shows how much a mind can change...)

This funky tune possesses a strong Jackson 5 vibe (at least that's what we thought in '73 ;D)


Speaking of the Jackson 5, here's what we heard from them in '73, and it was seriously funky:

Jackson 5 - Get It Together (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpT3W1vqI54

It's the first time Michael sported his new teenage voice for all of us to hear...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnA_EqS8vOw
Sylvia- Pillow Talk

This gem from the spring of '73 is seriously Funky - and seriously awesome  :D

Billy Preston - Will It Go Round In Circles (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgFaShbij7Q

the record will

Dr. John graced us with this very funky smash back in '73  :D

Dr. John - Right Place, Wrong Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT4RainY-lY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MYdr8Fkah0
Jackson Sisters- I Believe In Miracles

Jackson Sisters- I Believe In Miracles


New to one me - but pretty nice!  :)

The Pointer Sisters tossed their entry into the Funk universe with a bang!  Their first hit:

The Pointer Sisters - Yes We Can Can (1973)  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FKHG15J0xI

Incidentally, being a 13 year old girl, of course I noted their outfits - these were definitely considered "throwback" at that time, a very uncommon look.  I just thought I'd mention that  ::)

New to one me - but pretty nice!  :)


and I thought that they were a relation to The Jackson brothers but turns out The Jackson sisters are Gospel singers.

Does Philly Soul count?


Speaking of Philly Soul, this funky good 1973 hit sure caught the attention of these youthful ears!

O'Jays - Time To Get Down (1973)  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-bIKSyPJaQ

This energetic instrumental smash hit got seriously funky!

Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstein (1973)  :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juVZ1dbn_t0

This might go in the borderline obscure category, but this funky gem has a definite Curtis Mayfield vibe:

Barbara Mason - Give Me Your Love (1973)  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft5o0YJ955Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoYvCb0d3h0
...

Mandrill - Fencewalk (1973)

I'm reposting this one here - thanks Howard for the idea  :D

Mandrill - Fencewalk (1973)

I'm reposting this one here - thanks Howard for the idea  :D


You're Welcome. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee5aVjuqCO8
Ripple- I Don't Know What It Is But It Sure Is Funky

Here's the Temptations' very funky follow up to Papa Was A Rolling Stone:

The Temptations - Masterpiece (1973)  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEZpde-RMe0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItgAlRuafaU
Show And Tell- Al Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItgAlRuafaU
Show And Tell- Al Wilson


I recall this one was really popular and got a lot of airplay in late '73!  :)

The group Earth, Wind and Fire wasn't well known in 1973 - but better things were just over the horizon for them.  For those fortunate enough to hear it, this jazzy/funky gem got them a little notice:

Earth, Wind and Fire - Evil (1973) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55n5pHHC8yY

8)

I just realized this funky gem (having slight reggae overtones) hasn't been posted - I'll take care of that now  :)

Cymande - The Message (from early 1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq78YYczUi0