Funky Friday – Episode 31: VirgoSonic

Airdate: 9.5.25 - 9am Pacific Time

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Happy Funky Friday!

Welcome to Episode 31: VirgoSonic — a zodiac-charged ride through cosmic grooves and earthy funk foundations. Virgo season is all about precision, rhythm, and balance, and this set takes those traits straight to the dancefloor. From raw basslines to shimmering cosmic jams, we’re tuning the funk dial to the stars.

We open with the unmistakable joy of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” — the anthem of the season — and build through reggae-funk, horn-driven grit, and mystical modern grooves. Along the way, you’ll hear funk fusion from Liquid Soul, slap-bass fire from Graham Central Station, and a disco-funk banger from Brick.

We close on a high note of tribute: Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” — honoring the Virgo legend we lost this year, and sending Episode 31 off with a cosmic glow.

🎧 Track List – Funky Friday 31: VirgoSonic

• September – Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)

• Master Blaster (Jammin’) – Stevie Wonder (1980)

• Super Bad, Pt. 1 & 2 – James Brown (1970)

• Shake Everything You’ve Got – Maceo Parker (1992)

• Banshee – Kendra Morris (2012)

• Right Place, Wrong Time – Dr. John (1973)

• Worlds on a Leash – Liquid Soul (1996)

• Can’t Say Nothin’ – Curtis Mayfield (1970)

• Dazz – Brick (1976)

• The Jam – Graham Central Station (1975)

• Strawberry Letter 23 – The Brothers Johnson (1977)

• Everybody Loves the Sunshine – Roy Ayers (1976)

  
  

♍ Why VirgoSonic?Virgo season is about balance, detail, and cosmic alignment — and this set embodies all three. Tight grooves meet expansive jams, modern funk aligns with classic cuts, and the flow builds like a constellation of rhythm. It’s funk that feels written in the stars.

🔗 Quick Links:

🎧 Listen live on Renegade Radio → Here 

🎶 Catch the Replay → Comming Soon

📖 Full Episode Recaps + Setlists → Here 

🎟 RSVP to Episode → Here

📂 Renegade Radio Site → Here

Funk Facts

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🎺 “September” – Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)

The band never explained what the famous lyric “Ba-dee-ya” means — because it doesn’t mean anything. Maurice White once said, “Never let the lyric get in the way of the groove.” The nonsense syllable became one of the most recognizable hooks in funk history.

🎹 “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” – Stevie Wonder (1980)

This track was Stevie’s tribute to Bob Marley — blending reggae rhythm with funk groove. Stevie and Marley performed together in 1979, and Wonder’s admiration led directly to Master Blaster the following year.

🥁 “Super Bad” – James Brown (1970)

This was one of the first tracks where James Brown credited his band as co-writers. He gave songwriting credit to his backing band The J.B.’s, acknowledging their role in shaping the groove — a rare move at the time for “The Godfather of Soul.”

🎷 “Shake Everything You’ve Got” – Maceo Parker (1992)

Maceo was James Brown’s saxophonist through the peak funk years. In this solo cut, he’s both bandleader and hype man, calling out solos and keeping the energy live. It captures the feeling of being at a JB show, but with Maceo in the driver’s seat.

🌌 “Banshee” – Kendra Morris (2012)

Though a modern cut, Morris recorded Banshee on tape, using vintage gear to capture that warm, analog funk-soul feel. The track’s haunting tone makes it a natural fit for funk playlists that lean mystical or cinematic.

🎸 “Can’t Say Nothin’” – Curtis Mayfield (1970)

Curtis played almost all the guitar parts himself, layering rhythm and lead lines. His ability to stack grooves made him a pioneer not just in soul but in funk’s evolution — inspiring future generations of multi-instrumentalist funk artists.

🪩 “Dazz” – Brick (1976)The song title is literally a fusion of “Disco” + “Jazz” = Dazz. It hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Brick’s signature track, embodying that late-70s moment when disco, jazz, and funk were colliding on dance floors.

🎸 “The Jam” – Graham Central Station (1975)

Larry Graham, bassist and bandleader, invented the “slap bass” technique while playing with Sly & The Family Stone. The Jam is one of the purest showcases of that style, influencing generations of funk, R&B, and even hip-hop bass players.

☀️ “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” – Roy Ayers (1976)

Often called the “anthem of summer,” this track has been sampled over 100 times in hip-hop and R&B. Ayers’ mellow vibraphone and lyrics created a universal groove — and his passing in 2024 makes this Episode 31 closer a fitting tribute to the Virgo legend.