Free Funk

11 profiles tagged Free Funk, A-Z.

Free funk emerged in the mid-1970s when saxophonist Ornette Coleman formed his electric band Prime Time, combining his harmolodic theory of collective, non-hierarchical improvisation with dense, syncopated funk rhythm sections built around electric bass, guitars, and drums. It is distinguished from straight funk by its harmonic freedom and dissonant, overlapping group improvisation layered atop a still-danceable groove. Ornette Coleman is its originator, and former Prime Time members James Blood Ulmer, Ronald Shannon Jackson, and Jamaaladeen Tacuma extended the style with their own groups.