Maceo Parker has a lot to say, and not just in his music. One of the world’s greatest living saxophone players, a man who James Brown told to blow (and he did on many records), sat down and recounted his illustrious career and music life in his Chicago Review Press autobiography 98% Funky. A man of humble beginnings, Maceo recalls his growing up in rural North Carolina, his introduction to music and how it led him down the road to where he is today. This is a true life story of his coming of age in the Civil Rights era, his development of his unique musical style on the sax while getting the much needed “on the road” education in bands with his brother, and then later in life with the great James Brown and others, finally settling on a much in demand solo career.

“I want people to listen to my music and forget about what happened at work that day, forget about the bills they need to pay, forget about all the war and suffering in this world, and just dance.” – Maceo Parker

This early education in life through mentors and influences like Hank Crawford and Ray Charles led him from being in awe of these artists to playing right along side of them on the same stage. This is Maceo’s story: 2% Jazz, 98% funky stuff. With a solo career of 22 years, this 70 year old has collaborated with everyone from the aforementioned JB and Ray Charles to The Red Hot Chili Peppers, De La Soul, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor and more. Living proof that Maceo hasn’t just influenced just anyone, but a whole generation of notable performers in a variety of genres throughout his career. Parker speaks candidly and intimately about his life in music and at 200 pages is an easy read for fans of Maceo and music lovers alike. If you ever wanted to get in the head of a player like Parker, now is your chance, and you can do it through his own words. From James Brown’s band to George Clinton and P-Funk to Bootsy’s Rubber Band to Maceo and All the King’s Men (and everyone else in between), you get the real deal from the man and much more. Highly recommended for the Funk lover in your life.

Get the book here.

Keep Diggin’!

I have one copy of this book to give away courtesy of IPG to the first person who can correctly answer this question:

Maceo Parker appeared on De La Soul’s Buhloone Mindstate in 1993 on the track “I Be Blowin'”. Can you correctly identify what song the piano sample was sampled from by De La Soul for it? E mail your answer to jamison@fleamarketfunk.com. Good luck!