I've been delving back into some old funk because I'm working on my new record, and I've been checking out Marcus Miller, The Panther, is one of my favorite tunes on the planet.  Another tune of his is Mr. Pastorius.  And I'm also listening to Maceo Parker because Maceo is a master of the party funk.  I'm into all of his music.  Shake Everything You Got is great!  Also, Meshell Ndegeocello... I'm back on her again, The Womb, and, Who is He and Who is He to You (that's an old Bill Withers tune she just does incredibly).  Another person I've been really checking out and is getting me off is Zakir Hussain.  I've listened to him a lot because he's a great tabla player and I really want that kind of flavor.  Another person I've been really checkin out is Wes Montgomery and Buddy Montgomery, Stranger in Paradise.  Also, War, The Cisco Kid, City Country City, Where Were You At, and of course, my favorite, The World is a Ghetto, which I sing quite frequently.

I've also been listening to some funky commercial stuff, Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace; some of the gospel greats, Shirley Ceaser, God Bless Us All.  And, I'm listening to Willie Dickson, Backdoor Man, You Shook Me, The Same Thing;  The Who... I love The Who.  Keith Moon's drumming is to die for... Heaven and Hell, Tattoo, I'm a Boy - are some of my favorite listening tunes.  And, two more, The Roots, just to talk about that funk - I listen to all their stuff.  And for drumming... the great, Jack Dejohnette, 7B, You Can't Get There, and, There Was Light.