the Funk Brothers

"The Funk Brothers are the greatest hit machine of all time."
 
So proclaims the liner notes of Motown's latest 20th Century Masters series release The Best of The Funk Brothers...and I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment....to a point.  When one says "greatest" it usually implies some sort of competition, and I don't think that sentiment personifies the Funk Brothers at all.  These guys are great in the once-in-a-lifetime-greatness way. 
 
So who are The Funk Brothers?
 
simply stated: they are the various members of Motowns in-house studio band(s) circa 1960-1972.
 
James Jamerson-bass
Bob Babbitt-bass
Earl Van Dyke- keyboards
Johnny Griffith-keyboards
Joe Messina-guitar
Robert White-guitar
Eddie Willis-guitar
Benny Benjamin-drums
Richard Allen-drums
Uriel Jones-drums
Eddie "Bongo" Brown-congas
Jack Ashford-vibes
 
These guys made their living playing music, a fact which is abundantly evident on this CD.  The musicianship is first-rate high-calibre honest-to-goodness killer jamming!  But, if these guys didn't produce hits, then...well, then they simply didn't work for Motown anymore.  In other words, the had to kick-butt or else hit the road, Jack.
 
This collection presents the instrumental backing tracks to a plethora of Motown's big (and not-so-big) radio hits.
If you'd like to hear a first-rate rhythm section in action without all that annoying singing, then this CD is for you. 

My personal favourites are:
 
"6 by 6"
"Runaway Child, Running Wild"
"What's Going On"
"Papa was a Rolling Stone"
 
If you see this CD, by all means drop the $10 and pick it up. Worth every penny.