Con Funk Shun [1980] - By Your Side [Mercury #76066]

Another one for the steppers! Don't be fooled by the band's name Con Funk Shun, they weren't an out and out funk band and released some nice mellow stuff as well, including this mellow stepper from 1980.

The group was formed in 1969 as Project Soul.  In 1971 they changed their name to Con-Funk-Shun (after a Nite-Liters track of the same name). Originally from California (Bay Area), the group relocated to Memphis in 1973 and were hired as backup band for The Soul Children. Whilst in Memphis they recorded 2 albums on Fretone in 1973 before changing their name again by removing the hyphens. They also released 2 45s on Freton in 1974, both of which were released on UK Contempo (owned by Blues & Soul editor John E. Abbey). One was an 'unrecognisable' funk cover of Bob Dylan's Tambourine Man. In 1976 they signed to Mercury and released 11 albums until they disbanded in 1986.

The group included Michael Cooper who went solo with Warner Bros. after they disbanded.  In 2015 they got back together to released an album ('More Than Love') on Shanachie and 3 of the original members (including Copper) continued touring as Con Funk Shun.

If, like me, you've steered clear of Con Funk Shun because of the implication in the name (i.e. Funk) then you, like me, have been missing out on some of their great recordings.  You could say that it's a bit of a marketing 'faux pas' as it could have limited their appeal - it certainly did in my case as I wouldn't pick up any of their albums blind, assuming that it was full of funk tracks.  So I've trawled through all their singles (A/B sides) and albums to bring you a collection of their better non funk sides.  Its' a mix of modern soul, steppers, slow jams, sweet soul ballads and even a few jazz flavoured instrumentals, no funk in sight!  Rather than clutter this post with links I've created a YouTube playlist of the selected tracks. The list is in chronical order starting with singles and then album only tracks. There's 64 tracks so a good few hours entertainment! Just let it play and enjoy!