Con Funk Shun
Con Funk Shun is an American R&B and funk band formed in 1969 in Vallejo, California, initially known as Project Soul. The group rose to prominence in the mid-1970s and 1980s as one of the era's premier self-contained funk ensembles.
Founded by high school friends Michael Cooper and Louis A. McCall Sr., the group initially served as a backup band for Stax Records artists, most notably The Soul Children and Rufus Thomas.
In 1973, they moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where they were signed to Fretone Records and released their debut album, Organized Con Funk Shun. The band renamed themselves "Con-Funk-Shun" (later dropping the hyphens) after a song by the instrumental group The Nite-Liters.
In 1976, the band signed with Mercury Records, marking the start of a decade-long run featuring 11 albums and numerous hits. Their most famous tracks include the #1 R&B hit "Ffun" (1977), "Chase Me," "Shake and Dance with Me," "Baby I'm Hooked," and "Electric Lady". Four of their albums—Secrets (1977), Loveshine (1978), Candy (1979), and Spirit of Love (1980)—were certified gold in the U.S..
Classic Lineup: Michael Cooper (lead vocals/guitar), Felton Pilate (lead vocals/multi-instrumentalist), Karl Fuller (trumpet), Paul Harrell (sax/flute), Cedric Martin (bass), Danny Thomas (keyboards), and Louis A. McCall Sr. (drums).
Tensions and declining sales led the band to disband in 1986. Felton Pilate went on to become a major producer for MC Hammer, while Michael Cooper launched a successful solo career.
Although never released as a single by the band, "Love's Train" became a fan favorite and reached #1 on the charts in 2022 when covered by the supergroup Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak).
A version of the band featuring original members Michael Cooper, Felton Pilate, and Karl Fuller continues to tour and release new music, such as the 2024 album Smooth Jukebo.x
Co-founder Louis A. McCall Sr. was tragically murdered in a home invasion in 1997; his legacy is honored with a street name in Alameda, California.
Secrets
Horns – Con Funk Shun, S. Scarborough
Keyboards [Additional] – Skip Scarborough
Strings – David Crawford
Written-By, Arranged By – F. Pilate
3:24
A2 Who Has The Time
Keyboards [Additional] – Skip Scarborough
Strings, Horns – S. Scarborough
Written-By – J. Simpson
Written-By, Arranged By – F. Pilate
4:42
A3 Indian Summer Love (Interlude)
Arranged By – Con Funk Shun
Synthesizer – F. Pilate
Written-By, Arranged By – C. Martin
Written-By, Arranged By, Synthesizer – S. Scarborough
0:40
A4 Tears In My Eyes
Keyboards [Additional] – Skip Scarborough
Strings – David Crawford
Written-By, Arranged By – F. Pilate
4:01
A5 Ffun
Written-By, Arranged By, Horns – M. Cooper
4:08
B1 Secrets
Written-By, Arranged By – F. Pilate, S. Scarborough
4:15
B2 ConFunkShunizeYa
Horns – Con Funk Shun
Written-By, Arranged By – M. Cooper
4:24
B3 I'll Set You Out O.K.
Alto Saxophone, Soloist – Paul Harrell
Keyboards [Additional] – Skip Scarborough
Synthesizer – F. Pilate, S. Scarborough
Written-By, Arranged By – M. Cooper
4:10
B4 Indian Summer Love (Instrumental)
Arranged By – Con Funk Shun
Synthesizer – F. Pilate
Written-By, Arranged By – C. Martin
Written-By, Arranged By, Synthesizer – S. Scarborough
4:52
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-1180
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk, Disco
Con Funk Shun's Secrets (1977) is a pivotal R&B/funk album that propelled the band to stardom with its blend of smooth melodies and infectious grooves, featuring the massive #1 R&B hit "Ffun" and the popular "ConFunkShunizeYa," showcasing the group's tight musicianship, vibrant horns, and signature sound bridging classic funk with dance-funk, cementing its status as a genre classic.
The album launched the group into the mainstream with the universally acclaimed "Ffun," a chart-topper, and the catchy horn-driven "ConFunkShunizeYa".
Secrets is praised for its melodic, singable tracks, representing a crucial transition from 70s "united funk" to the later "dance funk" era, with its interplay of rhythms, synths, and horns.
Beyond the hits, the album offers diverse tracks, including soulful ballads like "Tears in My Eyes" and socially conscious numbers such as "Who Has the Time," demonstrating the band's depth.
Produced by the band with assistance from legendary soul producer Skip Scarborough, giving it a polished yet authentic feel, Secrets earned gold status and became a beloved album, recognized for its vibrant spirit and importance in late 70s funk.
In essence, Secrets is a gold-certified, quintessential album that captured the essence of late 70s funk and soul, making Con Funk Shun a household name.