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SCMP Reporter

FUNk first became popular in the late 1960s.  It can be recognised by the heavy bass line, syncopated rhythms, strong percussion, powerful horn section and upbeat attitude.

The genre is heavily influenced by jazz and soul.

In funk, unlike many other kinds of music, the bass guitar is a prominent feature, not just an accompaniment. Melodic bass lines are often the backbone of songs.

Funk music reached the height of its popularity in the 1970s. But it still lives on.

In recent years, classic funk tunes have been regularly sampled in hip hop music.

Artists like The Brand New Heavies and Jamiroquai incorporate many funk elements into their music.

James Brown

Recognised as one of the most influential artists in the 20th century,  James Brown is often credited with establishing funk as a distinct genre of music.

He took soul music, changed the rhythmic and musical styles, and helped create a new style.

Brown is famous for shouting his lyrics, his enthusiastic dancing and unique rhythmic style.

Some of his most famous hits include Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, I Got You (I Feel Good) and It's a Man's Man's Man's World.

Despite legal troubles over the past decade, he has continued to perform regularly. He  performed at the Live 8 concert last year, and has sung duets with young British stars Will Young and Joss Stone.

Earth, Wind & Fire

The African-American funk band was formed in Chicago in the late 1960s.

They became the first black performers to go on tour without an opening act. They were also the first black performers to receive the Columbia Records Crystal Globe Award for selling more than five

million records in overseas markets.

During the 1970s, Earth, Wind & Fire created international funk classics like Shining Star, September and Boogie Wonderland.

Over their 35-year career, Earth, Wind & Fire have won eight Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, eight double platinum/Top 10 Pop albums and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Herbie Hancock

The multi-Grammy Award winner is one of jazz's most influential pianist and composers.

He played for many years with famous jazz innovator Miles Davis.

The Chicago-native helped to redefine jazz, adding electronic instruments and modern music styles.

He was one of the first jazz musicians to incorporate elements of funk into his music.

His love of funk led him to record funk-inspired albums in the 1970s as lead musician of The Head Hunters.

Critics said he had turned his back on jazz.

However, he loved funk and felt that too few people understood it.

He continues to mix many different styles - and especially funk - into his jazz today.

Jamiroquai

Led by vocalist Jay Kay, the English band gained fame in the early 1990s. Their debut album, Emergency on Planet Earth (1993) was full of soulful grooves and jazz arrangements.

However, Kay's love of funk soon started to move the band in another direction.

Their second album, The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994),  began to show strong funk influences.

Their worldwide hits Virtual Insanity and Cosmic Girl came from their 1996 album Travelling Without Moving.

The Virtual Insanity video won four awards, including the best video, in the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards.

The band's fifth album, A Funk Odyssey (2001) most clearly showed funk influences.

The first single, Little L, topped charts worldwide. Other singles include Love Foolosophy and Main Vein, which also display distinct funk elements.

Their latest album, Dynamite, was released last year.

It is considered Jamiroquai's most diverse work, with strong disco, jazz and, of course, funk influences.



Features of funk