If you think for a moment to funk, to the maximum of its expression, most likely the first image created by your unconscious will be to James Brown, unleashed on stage singing and dancing Papa's Got A Brand New Bag Sex Machine or ...
could not be otherwise!
But after you go through your head Earth Wind & Fire, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, and if you're really well prepared and have the funk that flows in the veins, think of a musician, a symbol funk, or Maceo Parker!
Since its inception, Maceo was intended to be a musician. In fact, his father played piano and drums, his mother sang in a gospel choir of the church, and his brothers Melvin and Kelis played drums and trombone respectively. He chose the saxophone which has since become an integral part of themselves.
Maceo that he has collaborated with all these artists (except EWF).
Certainly the cooperation that marked him most was that with The Godfather of Soul, which he joined in 1964 along with his brother Melvin. In reality he just wanted to James Brown Melvin on drums, but eventually decided to take Maceo also in his band. Have thought: "You see me here that this becomes a trend?." Well, with the blessing of the Godfather James, Maceo became one. Appointed leader of the band James Brown, Maceo is definitely one of the main reasons of the enormous success that was the Godfather. Of course, the personality, energy and talent of James Brown are undisputed, but Maceo was a key element in this unique and unmistakable sound that we hear today in the many samples made from old pieces played just from Maceo & Co. One of the impressive aspects is the understanding that arose between the two, the real key to success. Famous è l’incitazione di James Brown che invita Parker a scatenarsi: «Maceo, I want you to Blow!»
Nel 1970 viene pubblicato il primo lavoro da solista di Maceo “Doing Their Own Thing” sotto la House Of The Fox ma nonostante sia un grande album, per essere un album di debutto, non viene apprezzato moltissimo dalla critica che vede il nome di Maceo ancora legato strettamente a quello di James Brown. Dopo qualche anno, con alcuni membri del gruppo fondò i Maceo & All the King's Men con i quali partì per un tour di 2 anni. Nel 1974 torna nella JB’s Band per incidere Parrty - Part I insieme ai Maceo & the Macks, the highly successful single, inserted into the second solo album, Maceo, or "Us", published just in 1974. In this album we also find the famous Soul Power, a song that is still among the most famous of the band and the most coverizzati and championships. The following year he and some members of the group, including Fred Wesley left the band to work with Bootsy Collins, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. His funk energy, research, and the original could not hit an ambassador of funk like George Clinton, for whom he played for several years, giving the large audience that appeared to an unforgettable concert performance. Also in 1975 she released her third album, "Funky Music Machine ", one of the rarest gems of Maceo and the second with the King's Men. Unique style to the band that includes among its ranks people like Charles Sherrell, Melvin Parker, and Jimmy Nolen.
1984, Maceo returns home, still at JB, but the interlude is short, a little later Maceo Parker was on his own. After a debut in a minor key with "For All The King's Men" dated 1989, 1990 is out of his first big success: "Roots Revisited" album a lot more jazz, much softer and cleaner than what was expected of Maceo but without leaving never exactly the Roots, roots funk of his training. In any case a great job, soon followed by "Mo 'Roots" which repeats the great success of the previous album. According to many is the best album of Maceo, not in my opinion, the best is yet to come. However Mo'Roots is a great album that contains the various parts of a reinterpretation instrumental Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye. We are also Hallelujah, I Love Her So Ray Charles, which opens the album. Most of the album is instrumental, I would say all but a cover of Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song) Otis Redding, played by Kym Mazelle the great Maceo and the same.
But success will come true for Parker in 1992 with "Life On Planet Groove". A live album is considered by many and also by myself, one of the best funk album, live, ever. It opens with Shake Everything You've Got. After a few notes, the greeting of Maceo Parker, "We like to play 2% jazz 98% funky stuff." I can assure you it will be hard to stand still and not be led by the energy source of this piece. Accompanied by drums played by Kenwood Dennard after about 10 minutes to find yourself in a situation where it does not matter if you're in your room, car, bed or somewhere, and you shall jump "by moving all che avrete”. Improvvisamente sarete assaliti dal solo di Maceo Parker che vi farà letteralmente ribollire il sangue. Vi sentirete parte del pubblico che delira in sottofondo. 16’41’’ di pura follia funk!!!
Si prosegue con Pass the Peas, pezzo omaggio ai Parliament Funkadelic di George Clinton seguita dalla celeberrima I Got You (I Feel Good) (devo dirvi di chi?) con Kym Mazelle che ci regala un’interpreazione degna veramente del genio che la cantò la prima volta! Tra i brani a seguire attraversiamo il 2% di Jazz del quale Maceo parlava nell’introduzione del disco, con Children’s of the World, Addictive Love "and an 'impressive interpretation of feelings and overwhelming beauty of Georgia On My Mind. Why impressive? Because if you did not know that Maceo is singing, there will notice the difference with Ray! The album ends with Soul Power '92 continues and ends with more sustainable pace, accompanied by trombonist Fred Wesley and Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis on saxophone, of course, with Maceo! Three old-school James Brown! Highly recommended album!
After a year break in 1998 released another masterpiece: "Funk Overload". A mix of funk bombs da far paura. Si inzia da Maceo’s Groove rappato dal figlio di Maceo Parker, Corey. Un pezzo che emana un’aura di energia allo stato puro! Se provate a chiudere gli occhi eccovi lì, scatenati per strada a ballare come nel video si questo spettacolare pezzo! Se riuscite a rimanere fermi significa che avete qualche problema! A seguire pezzi come Uptown Up, Elephant’s Foot, Youth Of The World contro i quali non potrete opporre resistenza! Ci sono inoltre un remake del classico di Rufus, Tell Me Something Good, e una cover di Sing A Simple Song di Sly Stone. In definitiva Funk Overload è un album grandioso, uno dei migliori del genere secondo chi vi scrive, di sicuro uno dei migliori di Maceo Parker.
Since 1998 Maceo released other albums such as "Dial: Mace" in 2000 and "Made by Maceo" in 2003. Anyway, all these years until now, Maceo is on tour all the time and gives the audience every night adrenaline rush like few others today! I can testify myself that evening of July the summer of 2009, I was in Perugia, Umbria Jazz. After the concert I was so shocked that in my head the music continued and the pace was now permeated every muscle in my body. It took a while 'to get over ...
Maceo since childhood has always been a fan of gradissimo David "Fathead" Newman, Hank Crawford, Cannonball Adderley, and especially Curtis Ousley better known as King Curtis. But most of all crazy about Ray Charles Maceo and his band, as he's wrong! From all these great musicians Maceo was inspired, he learned and his sound, especially in the first part of his career is influenced by sound that recalls his idols. After the experience with Godfather James Brown, of course, things are a bit 'changed, Maceo has created her own musical identity that accompanied him throughout his career. A virtuoso musician from innate talent, capable of giving strong emotions. If you have occasion to see him live and you want to boil a little 'blood in your veins, do yourself a favor: Do not miss it!
Yayo
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