Everything Is on the One: The First Guide of Funk, Paperback

Funk used to be a bad word. That was then. Now, funk is a pervasive style of music that has earned its rightful place alongside such other aural American art forms such as folk, blues, jazz and rock 'n roll. What's more, for those who free themselves, funk is a positive state of consciousness that brings together mind, body and soul in a quasi-spiritual experience of mesmerizing intensity. It took quite a while for funk to gain the respect it deserves. As with most other American music forms of the 20th century, funk remained a predominantly black phenomenon until the white public caught up and embraced it some 20 years after the fact. It had to survive the psychedelic 1960s, the disco 1970s and the new wave 1980s. This long-overdue book is a labor of love from a devout lifelong funk enthusiast. Everything Is on the One: The First Guide to Funk is designed to serve as an eye-opener for the uninitiated and as a reference guide for those already indoctrinated. The following pages thoroughly examine every aspect of funk through the inclusion of assorted text, reviews and lists. Everyone from J.B., Sly Stone and Hendrix to Clinton, Prince and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Kool & the Gang and the Isley Brothers to the Bar-Kays and Slave to Run-D.M.C. and Dr. Dre to Stanley Clarke and Tom Browne to Muddy Waters and Stevie Ray Vaughan to the Talking Heads and Aerosmith is covered. There isn't really any specific formula for funk. But, you must have the right attitude and the music has to be on THE ONE. THE ONE stands for the first beat of standard four/four time in music (four counts per measure). Funk jumps on the first beat with a hard accent and then lays back in the groove for counts two through four. So just about everything in this book is on THE ONE. The content of this book is intended to be opinionated. It is designed to stimulate intelligent debate as to myriad topics that fall under the umbrella of funk. The objective is not to bash musical achievements or pursue character assassinations, but at the same time, measures are necessary to ensure the book's integrity. There are far too many music publications out there that find pandering to the industry and soft-pedaling issues seemingly unavoidable. This isn't one of them. By the same token, exceptional artists and outstanding work are given their just due. At this point, a word of caution is in order. Funk is extremely addictive and frequently results in an unquenchable desire to fill your ear hole with thumpin', bumpin', slammin', jammin' tunes. It can be an expensive habit, but always an immensely rewarding one. So slap your favorite jams into your stereo or iPod and read to the rhythmic rush while The First Guide of Funk does it to your eyeballs baby bobba

About the Author:

Growing up around the Los Angeles entertainment industry, it was coded into Scott Goldfine's DNA to be an avid music & film enthusiast / student / professional. While still in junior high, he made ambitious student films, and in high school he founded the long-running mobile disc jockey business Musical Moods and became an in-demand club DJ. Since then Goldfine's career in media has encompassed magazines, Internet, radio, TV, film, records, teletext and books. Highlights of his professional experience include director of promotions for the American Mixed Media imprint; Music Editor for "Black Radio Exclusive" magazine; columnist and critic for "Inside Video and Music" magazine: and Entertainment Editor for "SilentRadio." Goldfine also created, produced and co-hosted the music album review TV show "Platter Chatter," and wrote the book, "Everything Is on the One: The First Guide of Funk." All told, he has penned thousands of articles and reviews, and witnessed thousands upon thousands of albums, concerts, books and movies. He is presently an Associate Publisher with Boston-based EH Media. Visit Goldfine's FunknStuff website at funknstuff.net. See his "Platter Chatter" music review TV show at youtube.com/channel/UCIbhLDNQkNSBuVpKeg3ZQCg. Email him at funknstuff.net@gmail.com or scott.goldfine@gmail.com.