Creative Funk – Funk Power

· by · in 45, 45 records, 45s, funk, music, New York City, vinyl. ·

Greetings from snow covered Brooklyn. That’s right I said snow, again. 70 degrees this past Friday, where I saw flip flops, shorts, sun dresses and the like. A bit premature I’d say, but we have had such bad weather this Winter, people were just itching to get their Summer wardrobe out. Even though it’s 30 degrees out now, I have a hot record to heat things up in the beginning of your week. Here is Creative Funk with “Funk Power” from 1972 on Creative Funk Records.

Creative Funk was a group of friends/ musicians all aged between 17 and 21 from Jamaica, Queens, NYC. An unknown group, they decided to take the grassroots, DIY approach when releasing their first record. They started their own record label, and with the help of their bass player’s father, Deek Deberry, and released their first record “Ready Made Family”. A slow moving ballad, this side sold 25,000 plus in the NYC and surrounding areas. Soon major labels came knocking, and the mighty Bell Records won the bidding war and landed Creative Funk. Their self made record was released to the national record buying public, where for the next 2 and a half years they would go on making music. Creative Funk, as I stated previously, all hailed from Jamaica, Queens, except lead singer Diane Jenkins, who was from Brooklyn. The group was comprised of Gary Deberry (bass) Diane Jenkins,(vocals) Veedett Williams (vocals), Walter Etheridge,(guitar), Denzil Miller (organ and trombone), Richard Currence (drums), Andre Johnson (trumpet and flugel horn), and Michael Johnson (alto and tenor saxophone). The band, in the words of bassist Gary Deberry Sr. did “defunk in 1975”. Here’s what he had to say in regards to Creative Funk’s goings on on SoulfulDetroit.com after the group went their separate ways: “We all moved on and did several things. Denzil wrote, played and produced several records. Diane Jenkins continued as a solo artist. I played with flutist Bobbie Humphrey, then Norman Connors with Jeane Carne, then Stanley Turrentine. I also recorded with Sony under Corey Rooney. I play with club date agency bands. Deek, my brother, who wrote “Ready Made Family” passed away in 2007 and Clarence Basset passed in 2005. I am still doing my thing, playing and writing Gospel Jazz and smooth jazz.I started a club date band with my wife Barbara an excellent pianist. I am working on my 6th CD”.

“Funk Power” is an upbeat side that has everything you want in a dance floor number: great drums, horns, call and response, a traffic whistle, some jangly guitar, and a bass line that makes you jump back and kiss yourself. It’s the flip side of “Ready Made Family”, and not anything like that side at all, it is a mover. I got this record on a digging trip with Devil Dick a while back. It was a backyard 45 record blow out in North Jersey. We both found so many damn 45’s and spent all of our money, but came back happy. I spun this out when I opened up for Q Tip. He was digging it and I said: “I love this record, it’s on some Up Rock shit.” There was a pause, and I thought to myself: “I just sounded like the biggest herb ever.” Then the hugest laugh came out and we both started giggling like school girls. Thanks Creative Funk for not making me look bad in front of one of my heroes. Keep Diggin’!

Download or Listen to Creative Funk – Funk Power from the Creative Funk 45

11 responses to “Creative Funk – Funk Power”

  1. I’m so glad you spotlighted this 45. I had this 45 for as long as I can remember(originaly belonged to my brother before it ended up in my hands at a young age). I always wondered about who the group was. Props once again.

  2. Thank you so much on the history of this group. I was 12 years old when “Ready Made Family” came out and lived in Laurelton, Queens at the time. I can remember riding the bus and seeing the garage on Merrick Blvd., where you guys would rehearse. Thanks for the music and the memories.

  3. Pingback: Funk Friday: Creative Funk « incognitomusicmagazine·

  4. I feel like I grew up with these guys. I remember seeing them practice at my uncle’s (Clarence Bassett) house. Good memories indeed!!

  5. BTW, I see no mention in the article of Clarence Bassett who is flanked by Diane (left) and Vedette (right)…just sayin…RIP Clarence, your voice and presence is missed.

  6. My mom was friends with Diane Jenkins and when I was 5 I used to listen to her sing I’m a woman every saturday while we did chores. I never knew her name…just the song….and that she was pretty!!!! I wish I could here that song again.

  8. I grew up in Rochdale village, queens. I was fortunate to have neighbors who played with the group. I’m still looking for David Richards and brother greg. I know dave played for crestive funk. I’m hoping to find dave. If anyone knows David please contact me

  9. My name is Gregory Hatcher. I went to Forest Hills High School with Micheal.I remember when Creative Funk would practice and when they played at a Manhattan Club called The Cheetah. I believe they played at the Apollo.

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