The 1960s marked the dawning of a new era - and nowhere was this more
manifest than in black America. Social shifts and artistic attitudes
fueled by flower power, as well as opportunities afforded by the
economic boom, saw black Americans make astonishing gains, paving the
way for a reimagining of modern culture.
By the 1970s, new wealth, higher aspirations and a visible black middle
class had begun to reshape the arts, most noticeably the music scene.
The seeds of a new music were sown, and Funk flourished in the fertile
cultural climate. A vocal celebration and embracing of blackness, it
became the soundtrack that drove and illuminated the social and artistic
revolution.
As its audience moved on up Funkrelocated mainstream black music from
the ghetto to suburbia. But its roots were never forgotten. Nobody ever
doubted that this was a self-sustaining and self-defining black music -
an awareness that enabled Funk to keep on developing its own rhythms.
Soul's passion, jazz's adventure and the discipline of R&B came together
with a confidence, financial basis and sense of purpose to produce some
of the best and biggest black music, from James Brown to Curtis
Mayfield.
An intimate portrait of a defining sound, Funk Is Its Own Reward draws
on contributions from a cast of musicians and producers, writers and
directors, designers and executives, including George Clinton, Bootsy
and Stevie Wonder, to weave together a rich social and cultural history.
Astute and thoughtful, Lloyd Bradley examines Funk's significant
contribution to and influence on modern culture - and the America that
helped it thrive.
