Funky D
@funkydaggers.bsky.social
Now: Listening to hip-hop albums on milestone anniversaries and #MusicChallenge
Forever: funkyd15 on Last.fm
Past: Jazz journalist/music blogger, funk+ DJ, baritone saxophonist
Forever: funkyd15 on Last.fm
Past: Jazz journalist/music blogger, funk+ DJ, baritone saxophonist
Great show @djmikev.bsky.social ! Glad I eventually found time. Really enjoyed the mix of old favorites and new-to-me tunes. Hope the good Reverend rotates you in again soon! 👊
I am hosting Jazz Till Whenever today - Wednesday - from 3 to 5 PM EST! Stream it at WCBN.org and enjoy some soul jazz, funk jazz, and maybe a couple of other subgenres. Les will be represented!
#JazzTIllWhenever #WCBN #JazzSky #SoulJazz #FunkJazz #MusicSky #LesMcCann
youtu.be/zlRJHtVvrAI?...
#JazzTIllWhenever #WCBN #JazzSky #SoulJazz #FunkJazz #MusicSky #LesMcCann
youtu.be/zlRJHtVvrAI?...
Talk to the People
YouTube video by Les McCann - Topic
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Great show @djmikev.bsky.social ! Glad I eventually found time. Really enjoyed the mix of old favorites and new-to-me tunes. Hope the good Reverend rotates you in again soon! 👊
#MusicChallenge 25 years of Typical Cats s/t. 1st listen. Yo, this is dope! Not sure how it eluded my ears so long. Chicago underground hip-hop a bit on the dense side, but with a jazzy feel - both beats + vocals - that evens things out. Across-the-board reverence for classic rap. Love this one!
Take a Number
YouTube video by Typical Cats - Topic
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 7:07 PM
#MusicChallenge 25 years of Typical Cats s/t. 1st listen. Yo, this is dope! Not sure how it eluded my ears so long. Chicago underground hip-hop a bit on the dense side, but with a jazzy feel - both beats + vocals - that evens things out. Across-the-board reverence for classic rap. Love this one!
Reposted by Funky D
I think it should probably be a bigger story that the president of the United States is a raving lunatic
Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast: "We hit 'em. And we want to hit 'em right, sir, and we want to hit them from the top! East, west, north, south. Sir, they won't know what the hell! And we'll knock them out. We did it politically correct. Five years."
February 5, 2026 at 2:29 PM
I think it should probably be a bigger story that the president of the United States is a raving lunatic
#MusicChallenge 35 years of Stetsasonic "Blood, Sweat & No Tears." 1st full listen. The hip-hop band's last album is enjoyable but feels like more ideas than focus. Accordingly, it wears thin over 69 minutes + lacks the impact of their first two. Still plenty of grooves/passion. Dig the title track:
Stetsasonic - Blood, Sweat & No Tears
YouTube video by Tommy Boy
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 9:24 PM
#MusicChallenge 35 years of Stetsasonic "Blood, Sweat & No Tears." 1st full listen. The hip-hop band's last album is enjoyable but feels like more ideas than focus. Accordingly, it wears thin over 69 minutes + lacks the impact of their first two. Still plenty of grooves/passion. Dig the title track:
#MusicChallenge 35 years of Lifers Group s/t aka "#66064." 1st listen. Debut EP from "group formed by Maxwell Melvins while incarcerated at East Jersey State Prison in Rahway, New Jersey." Funky beats of the time, solid rhymes with a strong "scared straight" message. I dug this track:
Lifers Group – The Real Deal (HQ) 1991
YouTube video by WESTSIDE LOVE by Johnny Chiang
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 2:16 PM
#MusicChallenge 35 years of Lifers Group s/t aka "#66064." 1st listen. Debut EP from "group formed by Maxwell Melvins while incarcerated at East Jersey State Prison in Rahway, New Jersey." Funky beats of the time, solid rhymes with a strong "scared straight" message. I dug this track:
#MusicChallenge 5 years of Big Ghost LTD and Conway the Machine "If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed." 1st listen. Grimy drug rap perfect for driving to work past old snow, ha. Conway is unflinching. Beats from the shadowy figure who used to post as Ghostface are subdued soulful. An all-time name here:
Conway The Machine & Big Ghost Ltd - Sons Of Kings ft. Knowledge The Pirate
YouTube video by Sun Tzu
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 1:24 PM
#MusicChallenge 5 years of Big Ghost LTD and Conway the Machine "If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed." 1st listen. Grimy drug rap perfect for driving to work past old snow, ha. Conway is unflinching. Beats from the shadowy figure who used to post as Ghostface are subdued soulful. An all-time name here:
Reposted by Funky D
Today's newsletter is free!
Inside: Framber Valdez is a Tiger, Mickey Lolich passes, Springfield, Ohio prepares for war, what we talk about when we talk about which president appointed a judge, and the death of the Washington Post.
www.cupofcoffeenews.com/cup-of-coffe...
Inside: Framber Valdez is a Tiger, Mickey Lolich passes, Springfield, Ohio prepares for war, what we talk about when we talk about which president appointed a judge, and the death of the Washington Post.
www.cupofcoffeenews.com/cup-of-coffe...
Cup of Coffee: February 5, 2026
Framber Valdez is a Tiger, Mickey Lolich passes, Springfield, Ohio prepares for war, what we talk about when we talk about which president appointed a judge, and the death of the Washington Post
www.cupofcoffeenews.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Today's newsletter is free!
Inside: Framber Valdez is a Tiger, Mickey Lolich passes, Springfield, Ohio prepares for war, what we talk about when we talk about which president appointed a judge, and the death of the Washington Post.
www.cupofcoffeenews.com/cup-of-coffe...
Inside: Framber Valdez is a Tiger, Mickey Lolich passes, Springfield, Ohio prepares for war, what we talk about when we talk about which president appointed a judge, and the death of the Washington Post.
www.cupofcoffeenews.com/cup-of-coffe...
Reposted by Funky D
Happy birthday Jutta Hipp!
Jutta Hipp – piano
Zoot Sims – tenor saxophone
Jerry Lloyd – trumpet
Ahmed Abdul-Malik – bass
Ed Thigpen – drums
Released - February 1957
Recorded - July 28, 1956
Studio - Van Gelder (Hackensack, New Jersey)
Label - Blue Note
Producer - Alfred Lion
#jazzsky
Jutta Hipp – piano
Zoot Sims – tenor saxophone
Jerry Lloyd – trumpet
Ahmed Abdul-Malik – bass
Ed Thigpen – drums
Released - February 1957
Recorded - July 28, 1956
Studio - Van Gelder (Hackensack, New Jersey)
Label - Blue Note
Producer - Alfred Lion
#jazzsky
Jutta HIPP "Almost like being in love" (1956)
YouTube video by TheJPDM
m.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Happy birthday Jutta Hipp!
Jutta Hipp – piano
Zoot Sims – tenor saxophone
Jerry Lloyd – trumpet
Ahmed Abdul-Malik – bass
Ed Thigpen – drums
Released - February 1957
Recorded - July 28, 1956
Studio - Van Gelder (Hackensack, New Jersey)
Label - Blue Note
Producer - Alfred Lion
#jazzsky
Jutta Hipp – piano
Zoot Sims – tenor saxophone
Jerry Lloyd – trumpet
Ahmed Abdul-Malik – bass
Ed Thigpen – drums
Released - February 1957
Recorded - July 28, 1956
Studio - Van Gelder (Hackensack, New Jersey)
Label - Blue Note
Producer - Alfred Lion
#jazzsky
#MusicChallenge #JazzParty #JazzSky
Hi! How about some brand new bari sax jazz?
Brian Landrus - "Averse"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe1f...
Hi! How about some brand new bari sax jazz?
Brian Landrus - "Averse"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe1f...
Averse by Brian Landrus
YouTube video by Brian Landrus
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:04 PM
#MusicChallenge #JazzParty #JazzSky
Hi! How about some brand new bari sax jazz?
Brian Landrus - "Averse"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe1f...
Hi! How about some brand new bari sax jazz?
Brian Landrus - "Averse"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe1f...
#StrictlyInstrumental
#MusicChallenge
Day 1. Hi friends! Last year's installment was my first music challenge, so what better place to rejoin? This time we'll go with 20th century funk - obvs mostly 70s, but who knows? Will likely catch up.
The J.B.'s - "The Grunt"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmwc...
#MusicChallenge
Day 1. Hi friends! Last year's installment was my first music challenge, so what better place to rejoin? This time we'll go with 20th century funk - obvs mostly 70s, but who knows? Will likely catch up.
The J.B.'s - "The Grunt"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmwc...
The Grunt (Pts. 1 & 2)
YouTube video by The J.B.'s - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:02 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
#MusicChallenge
Day 1. Hi friends! Last year's installment was my first music challenge, so what better place to rejoin? This time we'll go with 20th century funk - obvs mostly 70s, but who knows? Will likely catch up.
The J.B.'s - "The Grunt"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmwc...
#MusicChallenge
Day 1. Hi friends! Last year's installment was my first music challenge, so what better place to rejoin? This time we'll go with 20th century funk - obvs mostly 70s, but who knows? Will likely catch up.
The J.B.'s - "The Grunt"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmwc...
Reposted by Funky D
This rocks!
February 4, 2026 at 1:49 PM
This rocks!
Reposted by Funky D
I am hosting Jazz Till Whenever today - Wednesday - from 3 to 5 PM EST! Stream it at WCBN.org and enjoy some soul jazz, funk jazz, and maybe a couple of other subgenres. Les will be represented!
#JazzTIllWhenever #WCBN #JazzSky #SoulJazz #FunkJazz #MusicSky #LesMcCann
youtu.be/zlRJHtVvrAI?...
#JazzTIllWhenever #WCBN #JazzSky #SoulJazz #FunkJazz #MusicSky #LesMcCann
youtu.be/zlRJHtVvrAI?...
Talk to the People
YouTube video by Les McCann - Topic
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 9:56 AM
I am hosting Jazz Till Whenever today - Wednesday - from 3 to 5 PM EST! Stream it at WCBN.org and enjoy some soul jazz, funk jazz, and maybe a couple of other subgenres. Les will be represented!
#JazzTIllWhenever #WCBN #JazzSky #SoulJazz #FunkJazz #MusicSky #LesMcCann
youtu.be/zlRJHtVvrAI?...
#JazzTIllWhenever #WCBN #JazzSky #SoulJazz #FunkJazz #MusicSky #LesMcCann
youtu.be/zlRJHtVvrAI?...
Reposted by Funky D
Floored by this story. A man wrote a pollite email to a federal prosecutor objecting to the deportation of an Afghan seeking asylum. DHS responded with an administrative warrant to get the man's info from Google, then visited his home to intimidate him.
DHS Hunts Down 67-Year-Old U.S. Citizen Who Criticized Them in Email
The Department of Homeland Security is using a little-known tool to go after its critics.
newrepublic.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Floored by this story. A man wrote a pollite email to a federal prosecutor objecting to the deportation of an Afghan seeking asylum. DHS responded with an administrative warrant to get the man's info from Google, then visited his home to intimidate him.
Oh wow. RIP!
RIP Ken Peplowski. One of the clarinet greats. Here's Ken on an appropriate track from the absolutely wonderful Hank Jones 1989 album "Lazy Afternoon." Plan to pour one out for Ken later. 🍷
#jazzsky, #jazz, #RIP
youtu.be/plDcHUqQHEA?...
#jazzsky, #jazz, #RIP
youtu.be/plDcHUqQHEA?...
Hank Jones Lament
YouTube video by CGS 097
youtu.be
February 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Oh wow. RIP!
Reposted by Funky D
Johnny "Guitar" Watson - A Real Mother for Ya
Johnny "Guitar" Watson was born today in 1935. RIP. This song is such a groove. Play it loud!
#Johnny"Guitar"Watson #MusicBirthday #MusicSky #Guitar
youtu.be/u8MviTtXkF0?...
Johnny "Guitar" Watson was born today in 1935. RIP. This song is such a groove. Play it loud!
#Johnny"Guitar"Watson #MusicBirthday #MusicSky #Guitar
youtu.be/u8MviTtXkF0?...
A Real Mother For Ya
YouTube video by Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Topic
youtu.be
February 3, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Johnny "Guitar" Watson - A Real Mother for Ya
Johnny "Guitar" Watson was born today in 1935. RIP. This song is such a groove. Play it loud!
#Johnny"Guitar"Watson #MusicBirthday #MusicSky #Guitar
youtu.be/u8MviTtXkF0?...
Johnny "Guitar" Watson was born today in 1935. RIP. This song is such a groove. Play it loud!
#Johnny"Guitar"Watson #MusicBirthday #MusicSky #Guitar
youtu.be/u8MviTtXkF0?...
If you see this, post a character that starts with A:.
February 3, 2026 at 1:59 AM
If you see this, post a character that starts with A:.
Reposted by Funky D
Leo Parker
Rollin' With Leo (1961)
Bad Girl
youtu.be/WUwLnYU-2wg
#NowPlaying #JazzSky #VinylSky #LeoParker #DaveBurns #BillSwindell #JohnnyAcea #AlLucas #WilbertHogan #RudyVanGelder #ReidMiles #FrancisWolff #AlfredLion #BlueNote #TonePoet
Rollin' With Leo (1961)
Bad Girl
youtu.be/WUwLnYU-2wg
#NowPlaying #JazzSky #VinylSky #LeoParker #DaveBurns #BillSwindell #JohnnyAcea #AlLucas #WilbertHogan #RudyVanGelder #ReidMiles #FrancisWolff #AlfredLion #BlueNote #TonePoet
February 3, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Leo Parker
Rollin' With Leo (1961)
Bad Girl
youtu.be/WUwLnYU-2wg
#NowPlaying #JazzSky #VinylSky #LeoParker #DaveBurns #BillSwindell #JohnnyAcea #AlLucas #WilbertHogan #RudyVanGelder #ReidMiles #FrancisWolff #AlfredLion #BlueNote #TonePoet
Rollin' With Leo (1961)
Bad Girl
youtu.be/WUwLnYU-2wg
#NowPlaying #JazzSky #VinylSky #LeoParker #DaveBurns #BillSwindell #JohnnyAcea #AlLucas #WilbertHogan #RudyVanGelder #ReidMiles #FrancisWolff #AlfredLion #BlueNote #TonePoet
#MusicChallenge 15 years of The Insane Warrior "We Are The Doorways." 1st listen in too long. Debut of a dope RJD2 side project. His core sound is recognizable, but feels like more of a focus on big instrument sounds. Especially synths and drums, but he gets around. Love the saxes here!
Then You Hear Footsteps
YouTube video by The Insane Warrior - Topic
youtu.be
February 2, 2026 at 3:46 AM
#MusicChallenge 15 years of The Insane Warrior "We Are The Doorways." 1st listen in too long. Debut of a dope RJD2 side project. His core sound is recognizable, but feels like more of a focus on big instrument sounds. Especially synths and drums, but he gets around. Love the saxes here!
Reposted by Funky D
I know it’s been said a million times but it’s pretty funny how many short king steroid comedians with corny ass manchild tattoos called themselves free speech warriors right up until the moment free speech was actually under attack.
January 30, 2026 at 5:23 PM
I know it’s been said a million times but it’s pretty funny how many short king steroid comedians with corny ass manchild tattoos called themselves free speech warriors right up until the moment free speech was actually under attack.
#MusicChallenge 30 years of Eazy-E "Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton." 1st listen. Oof. This posthumous release is grim & punishing. The verses compiled here did not see Eazy softening at all, lol. Some fun samples, but beats tend to drone on. Idle Death Row disses. How about some Ren?
Tha Muthaphukkin Real (feat. MC Ren)
YouTube video by Eazy-E - Topic
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 3:04 PM
#MusicChallenge 30 years of Eazy-E "Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton." 1st listen. Oof. This posthumous release is grim & punishing. The verses compiled here did not see Eazy softening at all, lol. Some fun samples, but beats tend to drone on. Idle Death Row disses. How about some Ren?
#MusicChallenge 35 years of Gerardo "Mo' Ritmo." 1st listen, lol. Curiosity did not kill this cat (me). This album has "Rico Suave" & is fine for 1991 dance rap. Alternating English & Spanish - No lyrical miracles, but a few messages. Sounds of most dance trends of the time. How about this cameo?
Gerardo – We Want The Funk 1991 (Official Music Video) Remastered @Videos80s
YouTube video by 80's 90's Music Video's Remastered @Videos80s
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 12:01 AM
#MusicChallenge 35 years of Gerardo "Mo' Ritmo." 1st listen, lol. Curiosity did not kill this cat (me). This album has "Rico Suave" & is fine for 1991 dance rap. Alternating English & Spanish - No lyrical miracles, but a few messages. Sounds of most dance trends of the time. How about this cameo?
#MusicChallenge 10 years of Beneficence - "Basement Chemistry." 1st listen. Not sure how I missed him before. Classic-styled underground boom bap. Beats are sharp and driving. Beneficence is dope + sincere on the mic. So many great guests from eraS of hip-hop. How about the Chubbster?
Beneficence feat. Chubb Rock - "Masters Of The Class" OFFICIAL VERSION
YouTube video by StrictlyHits
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 10:03 PM
#MusicChallenge 10 years of Beneficence - "Basement Chemistry." 1st listen. Not sure how I missed him before. Classic-styled underground boom bap. Beats are sharp and driving. Beneficence is dope + sincere on the mic. So many great guests from eraS of hip-hop. How about the Chubbster?
#MusicChallenge 5 years of Tha God Fahim & Your Old Droog "Tha Wolf on Wall St." 1st listen. Mellow jazzy production from Fahim really hits the spot. Always love the sly humor of YOD, but Fahim (+ 2x guest Mach-Hommy) is also nice on the mic. Hitting on all cylinders out of the gate:
All Bidness
YouTube video by Your Old Droog - Topic
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 7:45 PM
#MusicChallenge 5 years of Tha God Fahim & Your Old Droog "Tha Wolf on Wall St." 1st listen. Mellow jazzy production from Fahim really hits the spot. Always love the sly humor of YOD, but Fahim (+ 2x guest Mach-Hommy) is also nice on the mic. Hitting on all cylinders out of the gate:
#MusicChallenge 10 years of K-Def "The Unpredictable Gemini." 1st listen. A 2nd fun instrumental album today. More of a beat tape feeling, but plenty of nuance and excitement. Oodles of funk and soul, and some dope sampled interludes/moments. Really into the flip/different sample (?) here:
Sounds Like But Not
YouTube video by K-Def - Topic
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 6:54 PM
#MusicChallenge 10 years of K-Def "The Unpredictable Gemini." 1st listen. A 2nd fun instrumental album today. More of a beat tape feeling, but plenty of nuance and excitement. Oodles of funk and soul, and some dope sampled interludes/moments. Really into the flip/different sample (?) here:
#MusicChallenge 5 years of Madlib "Sound Ancestors." 1st listen. Quintessential Madlib. Instrumental, but I'd say more vocal verse samples than I expected. Definitely still funky, jazzy and grimy with some classic vinyl snatches. I dug this one:
The New Normal
YouTube video by Madlib - Topic
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 4:59 PM
#MusicChallenge 5 years of Madlib "Sound Ancestors." 1st listen. Quintessential Madlib. Instrumental, but I'd say more vocal verse samples than I expected. Definitely still funky, jazzy and grimy with some classic vinyl snatches. I dug this one: