Top 10 R&B Bands

R&B bands have had a reputation for being soulful, funky, at times jazzy, spiritual and could always put down "some get down". As a matter of fact, the "phonkier" the sound, the more your lips would turn up like you're smelling something funky, causing you to want to get down. But, its all good. You know how we do. Most of the bands listed below are straight out of the seventies, when R&B was at its peak and was some of the best music ever made. The R&B from that decade is unforgettable and the most sampled.

I won't bore you with a lot of stats, because anybody can look those up. My goal is to give you a little meat. Even if you're vegan, you'll appreciate the taste.

Number 10: Ohio Players

The "Honey" album cover was quite 'inspiring' to me as a teen. You know the one with the nude lady drenched in honey - yeah, that one. When I see an Ernie Barnes painting, I think of the Ohio Players and Sugar Foot.

Number 9: WAR

I can listen to "All Day Music" all day. "Down at the beach...." I can picture them drinking whiskey with the Cisco Kid. A very talented, high energy and versatile group that sounds best while you're lying in the park with your girl.

Number 8: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

Pure, down home soul music - a picnic ain't a picnic without Maze blaring in the speakers. Deep passion in their sound. No matter where you go, drop a Maze cut on the box, and watch the heads start bobbin'. Play "Before I Let Go" at a bat mitvah and see what happens. I'm serious!

Number 7: Rose Royce

Gwen and the boys had a nice run. Their music is still going strong on the oldie's circuit. When I hear others trying to sing RR songs, it 'makes me wanna holla'.

Number 6: Rufus featuring Chaka Kahn

Chaka, Chaka, Chaka! Why are you so good? She was a "Sweet Thing". Very few have her range. Rufus put down some smooth rhythms.

Number 5: Kool and the Gang

I still can't believe that the same Kool and the Gang that made "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swingin" made "Summer Madness". It definitely showed their deep talent. Just when you thought there wouldn't be anymore, they brought in "J.T." and set disco dance floors on fire.

Number 4: Parliament/Funkadelic

They are definitely not earthlings, so I believe that they did come here on the Mother Ship. They even had their own language, Promentalshitbackwashpsychosisenemasquad. What do you think would happen if your funk becomes 'the P-funk'?

Number 3: Commodores

Motown only had a few band acts, but in typical fashion, the Commodores rose to the top of the charts and had a period of bragging rights.

Number 2: Sly and the Family Stone

The band that started it all could easily have been number one on this list. Com'mon man, they played Woodstock! Straight out of the Bay Area where west coast consciousness was bred, Sly pulled no punches. Do you think Prince has a little Sly in his tank?

Number 1: Earth, Wind, & Fire

The "Mighty, Mighty" Earth, Wind and Fire! That was a hard hittin' cut. Go play it, right now, and I'll bet that you will sit there for another hour or more playing EWF. EWF was the nuclear version of Sly and the Family Stone. However, they were unique in every facet. I can't recall a song that I didn't like. There isn't a rock band that's human that wouldn't bow to EWF. The band supreme - Earth, Wind and Fire. Nuf said.

Honor Roll

Other bands to make the honor roll are Booker T and the MG's, Tower of Power, The Doobie Brothers, The GAP Band, LTD, S.O.S., Average White Band, Cameo, ConFunkShun, Atlantic Starr, Brick, Slave, New Birth, Dazz Band, BarKays, Mandrill and Lakeside. Then there are soloists like Rick James and the Stone City Band, and Bootsy Collins' and Bootsy's Rubber Band that put down some serious funk.

SUMMA CUM LAUDE

The Funk Brothers, James Brown's band, the Head Hunters and MSFB were brothers from another mother, the best ever, setting the stage for all others.