The Fatback Band
The Fatback Band, also known simply as Fatback, was formed in New York City in 1970. It was the brainchild of Bill "Fatback" Curtis, an accomplished session drummer who envisioned a group that could merge various musical styles, particularly funk and R&B. The band's name, "Fatback," refers to a style of funky, heavy bass rhythms that they aimed to embody in their music.
The Fatback Band is recognized for its dynamic sound that evolved over the years. Initially rooted in street funk, they incorporated elements of disco and R&B into their music by the late 1970s. This hybridization allowed them to gain wider appeal, especially during the disco era, leading them to release a series of successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Their music not only showcased infectious grooves but also highlighted their versatility as a band.
The band is credited with pushing the boundaries of funk music, contributing significantly to the development of hip-hop and dance music. Over their career, they released over thirty-five albums, a testament to their prolific nature and dedication to crafting engaging music. Some of their notable albums include "The Fatback Band," "Is Back," and "Hot Box," which featured hit tracks that remained influential in various musical genres.
The Fatback Band's influence extends beyond their own recordings, having laid the groundwork for future artists in the funk and hip-hop genres. They have been recognized as pioneers within the music industry, earning respect and admiration from both fans and fellow musicians alike. Their ability to adapt and evolve their sound has allowed them to remain relevant in the music scene for decades, continuing to perform and record into the 2020s.
In summary, the Fatback Band is a remarkable ensemble with a rich history characterized by innovation in funk and disco music, distinguished by their contributions to the genres and their lasting impact on the music landscape.
14 Karat
Written-By – Fred Demerey
Written-By, Arranged By – Bill Curtis
5:43
A2 Angel
Written-By, Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
3:48
A3 Concrete Jungle
Written-By – Freddy Johnson
Written-By, Arranged By – Johnny Flippin
5:28
A4 (To Be) Without Your Love
Written-By, Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
4:45
B1 Your Love Is Strange
Written-By – Carol McIlwein
Written-By, Arranged By – Bill Curtis
6:24
B2 Lady Groove
Written-By – Bill Curtis
Written-By, Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
7:14
B3 Chillin' Out
Written-By, Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
6:06
Label: Spring Records – SP-1-6729
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Funk, Disco
Fatback XII
Composed By – Bill Curtis, Gerry Thomas
7:04
2 Disco Bass
Composed By – Bill Curtis, Gerry Thomas, Johnny Flippin
6:10
3 Gimme That Sweet Sweet Lovin'
Composed By – Bill Curtis
5:56
4 King Tim III (Personality Jock)
Composed By – Bill Curtis, Fred Demery
6:13
5 Disco Queen
Composed By – Bill Curtis
5:47
6 Love In Perfect Harmony
Composed By – Johnny Flippin
6:20
Label: Southbound – CDSEWM 049
Format: CD, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Disco Funk
Gigolo
Arranged By [Keyboards] – Gerry Thomas
Written-By – Reggie Sinkler, Steve Horton
5:22
A2 Rub Down
Arranged By [Horns] – James (Ajax) Baynard
Arranged By [Vocals] – Carole Sylvan
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Carole Sylvan, Johnny Flippin
5:46
A3 I'm So In Love
Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
Written-By – Elwood Henderson
4:25
A4 Higher
Arranged By [Horns] – Bill Curtis
Arranged By [Vocals] – Gerry Thomas
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Johnny Flippin
4:08
B1 Do It ('Til The Feelin' Runs Out)
Arranged By [Horns] – Bill Curtis
Arranged By [Vocals] – Johnny King
Written-By – Barry Gibbs, Bill Curtis, Johnny King, Joseph Brown, Willie Roach
4:09
B2 Gigolo
Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
Written-By – Carole Sylvan, George Victory, Gerry Thomas
6:08
B3 Oh Girl
Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
Written-By – Eugene Record
5:10
B4 Na Na, Hey, Hey, Kiss Her Goodbye
Arranged By – Bill Curtis
Written-By – Dale Frashuer, Gary DeCarlo, Paul Leka
3:43
Label: Spring Records – SP-1-6734
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Electronic, Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Funk, Soul, Disco
Hot Box
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Fred Demerey, Gerry Thomas
6:37
A2 Come And Get The Love
Written-By – Johnny King
5:11
A3 Love Spell
Written-By – Bill Curtis
7:33
B1 Gotta Get My Hands On Some (Money)
Written-By, Arranged By – Bill Curtis, Gerry Thomas
7:52
B2 Backstrokin'
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Johnny Flippin
7:33
B3 Street Band
Written-By – Bill Curtis
Label: Spring Records – SP-1-6726
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Funk, Soul, Disco
Is This The Future?
Written-By – Gerry Thomas
6:12
A2 Double Love Affair
Backing Vocals – Linda Blakely, Robin Dunn
Written-By – Johnny Flippin, Michael Walker
4:58
A3 Spread Love
Written-By – Evelyn Thomas, Gerry Thomas
6:32
A4 Funky Aerobics (Body Movement)
Backing Vocals – Carole Sylvan
Written-By – Bill Curtis
3:57
B1 Up Against The Wall
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Maureen Reid
5:20
B2 Finger Lickin' Good
Written-By – Gerry Thomas, Linda Blakely
5:14
B3 Sunshine Lady
Guitar – Deborah Knapp
Written-By – Johnny Flippin, Michael Walker
4:54
B4 The Girl Is Fine (So Fine)
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Gerry Thomas
5:52
Label: Spring Records – SP-1-6738
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Electro, Disco, Funk
Fatback 's 1983 album, Is This The Future?, is a seminal Electro-Funk/Disco record known for its futuristic sound, blending live instruments with drum machines and synthesizers (Moog, Roland), featuring rap verses (Gerry Bledsoe), powerful percussion, and catchy tracks like the title track and "Funky Aerobics," exploring themes of modern life and societal shifts through danceable, electronic grooves.
The album is characterized as a mix of Electronic, Funk, and Soul, featuring prominent use of drum machines and synthesizers. It was produced by band leader Bill Curtis and keyboardist Gerry Thomas, the latter of whom is noted for his influential "Moog stylings" throughout the record.
The title track is known for its socially conscious lyrics, addressing economic hardships of the Reagan era, such as rising interest rates and unemployment, with lines like "used to eat steaks and caviar, now it's peanut butter in a candy bar".
The album features a mix of singing and early hip-hop influences, including a rap by Bledsoe that helped align the band with the burgeoning rap scene.
Is This The Future? solidified Fatback's role in the emerging electronic dance music scene, showcasing their ability to innovate within funk while embracing new technologies.
Keep On Steppin'
Written-By – Gerry Thomas
3:22
A2 Stuff
Written-By – W. Curtis, E. Shelton, G. Williams, J. Flippin, J. King, R. Cromwell
5:00
A3 New York Style
Written-By – W. Curtis, J. Flippin
5:29
A4 Love
Written-By – Gerry Thomas
3:43
A5 Can't Fight The Flame
Written-By – J. King
3:09
B1 Wicki Wacky
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Johnny Flippin
3:20
B2 Feeling
Written-By – Gerry Thomas
2:53
B3 Keep On Steppin'
Written-By – W. Curtis, E. Shelton, G. Williams, J. Flippin, J. King, R. Cromwell
4:21
B4 Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Written-By – Gerry Thomas
3:39
Label: Event Records Inc. – EV 6902
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Funk
Night Fever
Written-By, Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
5:21
A2 A Little Funky Dance
Arranged By – R. Cromwell
Written-By – B. Curtis, J. Flippin
5:15
A3 If That's The Way You Want It
Written-By – K. Ballard
Written-By, Arranged By – B. Curtis
Written-By, Voice – W. Irvine
4:25
A4 The Joint (You & Me)
Arranged By – R. Cromwell
Written-By – B. Curtis, J. Flippin, W. Irvine
6:01
B1 Disco Crazy
Written-By – G. Williams
Written-By, Arranged By – B. Curtis
4:15
B2 The Booty
Arranged By – G. Williams
Written-By – B. Curtis, M. Irby, Jr.
4:15
B3 No More Room For Dancing
Written-By – M. Irby, Jr.
Written-By, Arranged By – B. Curtis
4:05
B4 December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)
Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
Written-By – Bob Gaudio, Judy Parker
5:00
Label: Spring Records – SP-1-6711
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk, Disco
NYCNYUSA
Written-By – B. Curtis, J. Flippin, K. Ballard
4:17
A2 Soul Finger (Gonna Put On You)
Written-By – B. Curtis, K. Ballard
4:01
A3 Spank The Baby
Written-By – B. Curtis, K. Ballard
4:34
A4 Duke Walk
Written-By – B. Curtis, G.Thomas
4:46
B1 NYCNYUSA
Written-By – G. Thomas, J.C. Thomas
6:35
B2 Love Street
Written-By – B. Lomax, B. Curtis, G. Thomas, K. Ballard
4:05
B3 A Changed Man
Written-By – B. Curtis, G. Thomas
5:00
B4 Cosmic Woman
Written-By – B. Curtis, J. Flippin
5:36
Label: Spring Records – 2391265
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk
Raising Hell
Arranged By – Bill Curtis
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Johnny Flippin
4:28
A2 All Day
Written-By, Arranged By – Richard Cornwell
4:33
A3 Put Your Love (In My Tender Care)
Written-By, Arranged By – Bill Curtis
3:54
A4 Groovy Kind Of Day
Arranged By – Saunders McCrea
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Saunders McCrea
5:08
B1 Spanish Hustle
Written-By, Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
5:16
B2 I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
5:12
B3 Party Time
Arranged By – Gerry Thomas
Written-By – D. Gibson, G. Thomas, L. Smith
6:40
Label: Event Records Inc. – EV 6905
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk, Disco, Soul
So Delicious
Alto Saxophone – David Sanborn
Written-By – B. Curtis, G. Thomas, R. Damper
6:57
A2 Go Out With A Bang
Written-By – B. Curtis, D. Yates, G. Thomas
4:52
A3 Lover Undercover
Backing Vocals – Denise Lopez
Guitar – Herb Smith
Written-By – B. Curtis, G. Thomas, M. Reid
4:42
A4 Sequence 96
Written-By – B. Curtis, G. Thomas
5:20
B1 Let's Play Tonight
Written-By – B. Curtis, L. Blakely, R. Damper
3:36
B2 She's A Go-Getter
Written-By – B. Curtis, D. King, D. Yates, R. Damper
3:24
B3 So Delicious
Alto Saxophone – David Sanborn
Vocals [Guest] – Ben E. King, Sandy Mann
Written-By – B. King, G. Thomas, M. Reid
5:46
B4 Start It Up
Written-By – B. Curtis, D. King, D. Yates, R. Damper
3:47
B5 Evil
Vocals [Guest] – Ben E. King
Written-By – B. King, B. Curtis, G. Thomas
5:15
Label: Cotillion – 7-90253-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Funk, Disco
The Best of The Fatback Band
2 Wicky Wacky 3:19
3 (Are You Ready) Do the Bus Stop 4:31
4 (Do the) Spanish Hustle 5:17
5 Got to Learn How to Dance 2:33
6 Feed Me Your Lovelyrics 3:51
7 Keep on Steppin' 4:21
8 Yum Yum (Gimme Some) 3:21
9 King Jim III (Personality Jock) 6:16
10 Double Dutch 4:18
11 Take it Any Way You Want It 6:05
12 Backstrockin' 6:25
13 The Girl Is Fine (So Fine) 5:55
14 I Found Lovin' 4:11
15 She's My Shining Star 6:43
16 Is This the Future 6:14
Label: Music Club
Genre: Funk, Soul
With Love
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Linda Blakely
5:19
A2 I Found Lovin'
Written-By – Johnny Flippin, Michael Walker
4:17
A3 Rasta Jam
Written-By – Bill Curtis
5:27
A4 I Wanna Be Your Lover
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Gerry Thomas, Michael Walker
5:14
B1 Wide Glide
Written-By – Bill Curtis, Wesley Watson
5:52
B2 I Love Your Body Language
Written-By – Gerry Thomas, Maureen Reid
5:48
B3 Please Stay
Written-By – Gerry Bledsoe, Gerry Thomas
8:17
Label: Spring Records – SPR-33-6741
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk, Disco
Yum Yum
Arranged By – J. King
Written-By – J. King
4:04
A2 Trompin'
Arranged By – G. Thomas
Written-By – B. Curtis, G. Thomas
3:55
A3 Let The Drums Speak
Arranged By – B. Curtis
Written-By – Curtis, Williams, Thomas, Flippin, King, Cornwell
3:57
A4 Put The Funk On You
Arranged By – B. Curtis
Written-By – B. Curtis
3:09
A5 Feed Me Your Love
Arranged By – J. Flippin
Written-By – J. Flippin
3:48
B1 Boogie With Fatback
Arranged By – G. Thomas
Written-By – Curtis, Gibson, Thomas
4:45
B2 Gotta Learn How To Dance
Arranged By – R. Cornwell
Written-By – B. Curtis, R. Cornwell
3:45
B3 If You Could Turn Into Me
Arranged By – G. Thomas
Written-By – Chisholm, Curtis, Gibson, Thomas
4:11
B4 (Hey) I Feel Real Good
Arranged By – G. Thomas
Written-By – D. Gibson, G. Thomas
6:03
Label: Event Records Inc. – EV 6904
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco, Funk
The Fatback Band's 1975 album Yum Yum is a cult classic funk/early disco record praised for its infectious grooves, heavy bass, tight drumming, and party atmosphere, bridging classic funk with emerging disco sounds, featuring standout tracks like the title track "Yum Yum (Gimme Some)," "Let the Drums Speak," and "Put the Funk on You". Critics highlight its blend of raw funk energy with polished production, making it essential for funk fans and a key stepping stone into disco for the prolific band.
It marks Fatback's smooth transition from pure funk to disco, incorporating four-on-the-floor beats without losing its funk core, and features signature booming bass, sharp horns, killer drum breaks (especially on "Let the Drums Speak"), and prominent clavinet.
Standout Tracks:
"Yum Yum (Gimme Some)": A heavy funk workout and moderate hit, known for its catchy bass and brass.
"Let the Drums Speak": A proto-disco track with a memorable melodic motif, building from hard funk to dance floor filler.
"Put the Funk on You": Praised for thick bass, loping drums, wah-wah guitars, and a raw street feel.
"Boogie With Fatback": A smooth, polished dancefloor groove.
A highly sought-after "rare groove" album, celebrated for its timeless, funky sound that remains fresh. It delivers a strong "party vibe" and "celebration" with raw, energetic arrangements typical of their earlier work.
Fans and critics call it a "FAT BLACK FUNK CLASSIC" and a "timeless classic Funk BANGER". It's considered a must-have for soul and funk enthusiasts.
While some tracks lean into disco's polish, the album's funky heart, led by drummer Bill Curtis, shines through.