What About Fonk?
* indicates a fonky sound or accent
Essay by Deems Tsutakawa
There are different degrees of Fonkiness; Michael Jackson is slick & hip but definitely not Fonky. James Brown has some Fonk. Maceo Parker has some Fonk. Fonk is not necessarily commercial, it can be. It is an attitude. Some rap is Fonky and some isn’t. You could play a slow Fonky ballad; not Johnny Mathis, maybe Bill Withers.
Is Smokey Robinson Fonky? Is Tower of Power Fonky? Is James Taylor Fonky? Is George Winston Fonky? Perhaps George Clinton. Fonk is in the eye/ear of the beholder. A Panama hat tipped to the side could be Fonky it if feels and looks natural or has a definite attitude. To some people Fonk has a negative connotation as if there is something wrong with someone who identifies with Fonky music, language, or fashions. This is too bad. This negative stereotype is far too snobbish. Saying that someone who is into Fonk is a bad or lesser person is absolutely wrong and because masses of people worldwide refuse to enjoy or acknowledge Fonk, it perpetuates the status of Fonk not being considered legitimate. Everyone is unique and we should celebrate our differences.
In the 40’s and 50’s the groove space called Swing ruled the dance floors and airwaves. Great music and great jazz/swing bands were everywhere. In the 60’s along with the development of Blues, Jazz, and Rock & Roll came the evolution of Rhythm & Blues. The rhythm sections changed their phrasing, particularly for the bass lines, drum beats, guitar, and keyboard parts. Traditionally drummers were supposed to play soft and often with brushes. New technology opened the door for better amplification of all instruments. Good sound systems with power and high fidelity became common everywhere. Please not that I’m not saying one must play loud to play Fonky. However, in the last 25 years or so many dance floors and radio stations have been playing Fonky grooves.
Fonk can be a subtle thing as well. One should experience music with the utmost of sensitivities. One must feel the Fonk. Fonk should make you want to tap your foot, dance, or do something. If the groove doesn’t get to you the odds are it’s not Fonky. Fonk is not always predictable because it is the inspiration and motivation behind the music or idea.
What happens in the music can ultimately have many different results. It is indeed quite magical to have a group of musicians playing Fonky and free with respect for each other and totally together.
Some people think
that if it is Fonky then it smells *.
Did you ever go into an Italian restaurant, BBG establishment, or a
Japanese tempura house and notice the beautiful Fonkiness of the place?
The aroma, “the Fonk” gave that place atmosphere. Did you ever feel in
a Fonk?” The Blues is a tradition. Being in a Fonk is having the Blues
with a tinge of purple. When in a Fonk you can feel sad but also have
great hope. Take your sadness and make it into creative Fonk energy!
It is also
important to remember that it is fun to be Fonky. Most people are proud of
their own wind * even if they
won’t admit it. Society is constantly telling us to be squeaky clean and
don’t bend the rules but the Fonk always gets you in the end. It is the
natural way of things.