“Witch Doctor” by Instant Funk

New Jersey-born R&B/funk band Instant Funk released this electrifying dance jam in 1979. The track boasts tremendous groove power and heaps of funk. It’s about a funky witch doctor who casts a potent spell that compels people to hit the dance floor and furiously work their backsides. This treacherous groove is ideally suited to get things poppin’ at parties, clubs, and discos. The band delivers the funk with both barrels on this cut. Raymond Earl lays down a ruthless bass line, and the badass bass horn section fires up the funk with some powerful brass volleys. Music duo, the John Brothers, elevates the track considerably with their dynamic, soul-stirring vocals. 

“Witch Doctor” was written and produced by acclaimed singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Bunny Sigler. It’s the title track of Instant Funk’s third album, released in 1979 on Salsoul Records. The song had a solid performance on Billboard’s R&B singles chart, peaking at #35. 

Here’s the full personnel for the Witch Doctor album: Raymond Earl (bass), Scotty Wilson (drums), Dennis Richardson (piano), Charles Williams (congas), Jimmy Sigler (organ), guitar (George Bell, Kim Miller), saxophone (Bob Malach, Louis Del Gatto, Robin Eubanks), trombone (Tom Malone, Willie Williams), trumpet (Larry Davis, Michael Ray, Randy Brecker), lead vocals (James Carmichael, the John Brothers), backing vocals (Bunny Sigler, Instant Funk, the John Brothers).

“Witch Doctor” doesn’t get much play these days. It’s such a great track that it deserves much more love than it’s been receiving.

“Instant Funk” was formed in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1971. The band is best known for the funky dance smash “I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl),” released in late 1978. It spent three non-consecutive weeks atop Billboard’s R&B singles chart. It also topped Billboard’s dance chart and reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track is widely considered a disco-funk classic and is the band’s signature song.

"Witch Doctor" is available at Amazon

Related blog entry:

"I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)" by Instant Funk