WORLDWIDE FM

In the first instalment of a new series called ‘The 20’, Gilles Peterson selected 20 key tracks from the back-catalogues of Brit Funk (specifically 1978-1982, not to be confused with Brit Funk beginnings which might just warrant its own ‘The 20’ episode). Brit Funk was a formative genre for Gilles – Bluey of Incognito was his first ever interviewee, with the conversation conducted in Gilles’s garden shed when he was just 17. Bluey later became the first signee on Gilles’s Talkin’ Loud label.

But as much as Gilles would relish the opportunity to play 20 Bluey tracks in a row, ‘The 20’ series limits him to – agonisingly – one tune per artist. And so, the show was kicked off with one of Gilles’s first ever promo gifts, Powerline’s ‘Double Journey’ from Elite Records.

Next up: The UK Players with ‘Everybody Get Up’, followed by Kabbala with ‘Ashewo Ara’, a perfect example of the Afro/Latin feel often present in this music. This tune demonstrates a variation on a rhythm usually played on Cuban timbales over a 3/2 clave. The lyrics are in Yoruba, as are the lyrics of many Cuban songs from the Santería tradition – interesting stuff!

Then, ‘(Somebody) Help Me Out’ from Beggar & Co. Having collaborated with Light of the World, Horn Section and Spandau Ballet (check out ‘Chant No. 1’), this group shows the connections between the jazz/funk and punk movements that the media never really picked up on. The next record, The Hudson People’s ’Trip To Your Mind’, was thrown out into the audience after a gig at an all-day event in London and Gilles caught it!

Caché’s ‘Jazzin’ and Cruisin’’, the B-side to the more widely-known tune ‘Where Is The Sunshine?’ comes next. The record was released on Groove Records, a legendary shop on Greek Street which was the place to go for hip-hop, afro-latin groove music and other imports. Mike Allen would feature the Groove Records hip hop sales chart on his weekly Friday night show on Capital Radio from 11pm GMT to midnight.

Up next, Second Image. Ronnie Vincent (an influential DJ who was broadcasting on Radio London at the time) used to manage the band, which of course made for lots of radio play! Second Image’s material sometimes tended to be geared towards the charts, but their B sides were something special, Gilles went with ‘Image’.

The Rah Band’s ‘Perfumed Garden’ follows, along with Level 42’s ‘Love Meeting Love’, which beat some stiff competition from some other classic Level 42 tracks: ‘Love Games’, ‘Eyes Waterfalling’ and ‘Starchild’. Followed by Linx’s ‘You’re Lying’, which first hit turntables on a white label disc that eluded Gilles the first time around…

Some escapism in the form of ‘Walking Into Sunshine’ from Central Line and then… who else but Incognito?! More summery vibes with ‘Summers Ended’, from the ‘Jazz Funk’ album, which features some gorgeous flute-playing. Bluey worked with many, many musicians across the scene and was infamous for bringing full bands on tour, despite it hurting his profits, to give his audiences the best show possible.

Then, the recently departed Tony Williams, producer of reggae shows for Radio London and band member of Funk Masters, with ‘Love Money’, which became a big tune on the New York scene at clubs like Paradise Garage and The Loft. Direct Drive’s ‘Time Machine’ is followed by The Real Thing with ‘Can You Feel The Force’ (with notable producer Nigel Martinez on percussion) and ‘Dancing In Outer Space’ from Atmosfear, which comes from a double A-side single which hit the UK Top 50 in 1979 and remains the band’s most notable release.

Light Of The World ‘Time’, from the album Round Trip (1980) finishes off the show with a handful of other big-hitters in the Brit Funk game, including Hi-Tension (with ‘Hi-Tension’, which shares the same Lover’s Rock feel as Tony Williams’ repertoire, beating some other great Hi-Tension tunes like ‘British Hustle’ and ‘Objects’ to the list). Last up: Freeez with ‘Southern Freeez’, hailed by Gilles as “the ultimate tune!”, high praise indeed.

If you want more Brit Funk, check out Gilles’ interview with Bluey here or Bluey’s feature on this year’s Worldwide Awards here. The rest of ‘The 20’ series will be bringing you 20 favourite tracks from the worlds of broken beat, Brazilian jazz and much more! As always, send us your favourites on socials and via our chatroom!