My sister recently suggested that I make up a list of the funkiest Christmas jams for my blog in recognition of the yuletide season, and I thought that was a really cool idea. So I began putting together a list of my favorite funky Christmas songs. It wasn't quite as easy as I initially thought, as there are a lot of great funky Christmas tracks out there from which to choose. I was originally just going to make it the top 10 funkiest Christmas jams but kept finding more great tracks. So here's the list of my 15 funkiest Xmas jams:
1) Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto - James Brown
On this track, James showed that his funk is perennial, great for any season. The groove sounds like a funky Santa Claus rollin' through the hood in a tricked-out sleigh. Also, the song has a relevant social message. Disadvantaged kids in poor neighborhoods should not be forgotten when Christmastime rolls around. The subject of the song is one that's close to James' heart, as revealed in the following lyrics: "You know that I know what you will see/'Cause that was once me."
The J5 bring youthful exuberance and excitement to their soulful, high-energy rendition of the Christmas classic.
The legendary rap trio from Hollis, Queens brings some hip-hop flavor to the Christmas holidays as they trade rhymes on this infectiously funky track. The rap group samples the opening riff from Clarence Carter's "Back Door Santa" to great effect here.
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4) Soulful Christmas - James Brown
The Godfather returns to the list with another funky Christmas jam. It's from his album James Brown's Funky Christmas, the same album that "Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto" is on.
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5) Santa's Got a Bag of Soul - The Soul Saints Orchestra
The Soul Saints Orchestra gives a nod to the yuletide season with some raw, uncut funk.
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6) Funky Christmas Song Ho Ho Ho- The Perry Brothers featuring Dirty Jenny on guitar
I recently came across this very funky Christmas cut on Youtube by the comedy duo The Perry Brothers. The song features some tasty licks from guitarist Dirty Jenny.
7) Happy Holidaze - Bootsy Collins featuring Snoop Dogg
8) Christmas Rappin' - Kurtis Blow
9) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Temptations
The Temps bring a little smooth Motown soul to this Christmas classic.
10) Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
I always look forward to hearing this song on the radio around the Christmas holiday. The song is a blast and has a cool energetic bass line.
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11) Get Down Santa - The Jive Turkeys
12) Merry Christmas Baby - Stevie Wonder and Wyclef Jean
Stevie and Wyclef do it up big on this funkalicious reworking of the old Xmas classic.
13) Run Rudolph Run- Chuck Berry
Okay, this is actually vintage Rock & Roll rather than funk or soul, but it's such a great song that I just couldn't leave it off the list. Plus, it's Chuck Berry.
14) White Christmas- Otis Redding
Otis delivers an incredibly soulful interpretation of Irving Berlin's Christmas classic.
15) Funky Christmas - Groove Thangs
Groove Thangs close out the list with some James Brown-style old-school funk for the holidays.
*edit: bonus song* I just recently came across this really funky Christmas track by Rufus Thomas, which would have definitely made my list had I known about it when I was putting it together. It's called "I'll be your Santa, Baby."
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*edit: bonus song* I just recently came across this really funky Christmas track by Rufus Thomas, which would have definitely made my list had I known about it when I was putting it together. It's called "I'll be your Santa, Baby."
Download at Amazon
5 comments:
Yo yo yo and ho ho ho. It's the Perry Brothers knockin'. Thrilled we made your list. Also wanted to pass on this year's funk Xmas Jam. Get Up, feel like being a XMAS-CHINE. Think you'll dig. Dirty Jenny puts her guitar stank on this one too. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJLaVd3H4zU
-SAP & Ponce
Just checked it out. Very funky, and Dirty Jenny's killin' it on the guitar again. Thanks a lot for sharing. Happy New Year, and I look forward to hearing more great funk jams from you guys.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIIxKj1LCxhru11H_TWC0AtU_uuiulDJ8 Here it is all wrapped up in one playlist + some more.
Awesome list. Check more funky christmas tracks on: http://soulmusicsongs.com/tagged/Christmas
I really appreciate your work and very amazing and important information about the Christmas Music which have share in this blog.
Christmas Music
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