No Condition Is Permanent

Pictured: Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou.

The slang term “funky” in black communities originally referred to strong body odor, and not to “funk,” meaning fear or panic. The black nuance seems to derive from the Ki-Kongo lu-fuki, “bad body odor,” and is perhaps reinforced by contact with fumet, “aroma of food and wine,” in French Louisiana. But the Ki-Kongo word is closer to the jazz word “funky” in form and meaning, as both jazzmen and Bakongo use “funky” and lu-fuki to praise persons for the integrity of their art, for having “worked out” to achieve their aims. In Kongo today it is possible to hear an elder lauded in this way: “like, there is a really funky person!—my soul advances toward him to receive his blessing” (yati, nkwa lu-fuki! Ve miela miami ikwenda baki). Fu-Kiau Bunseki, a leading native authority on Kongo culture, explains: “Someone who is very old, I go to sit with him, in order to feel his lu-fuki, meaning, I would like to be blessed by him.” For in Kongo the smell of a hardworking elder carries luck. This Kongo sign of exertion is identified with the positive energy of a person. Hence “funk” in black American jazz parlance can mean earthiness, a return to fundamentals.

— Robert Farris Thompson, Flash of the Spirit: African and Afro-American Art and Philosophy

LISTEN TO EPISODE 316 OF NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT:

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Here’s what Reeshard & Lee-Roy played in Ep. 316 of No Condition Is Permanent:

THE FIRST SET

Dramatics — “Watcha See Is Watcha Get” — Sweet Soul Music: 26 Scorching Classics From 1971

The Elcados — “Time Waits For No Man” — This World Is Full Of Injustice

The Vulcanes— “Moon Probe” — Sleazy Surf! Vol. 1

Los Chipis — “Matarina” — Sonideras Peruanas: Cumbias & Guarachas Limpias

The Five Du-Tones — “Chicken Astronaut” — Shake A Tail Feather

Junior Delgado — “Love Tickles Like Magic” — The Best of Sons of Slaves: Rebel Anthems from a Roots Legend

Sly and the Family Stone — “Crossword Puzzle (Single Master)” — Higher!

IT’S MADISON TIME…

Bill Crane — “Steppin’ Tall Pt. 2” — Funky Crimes

THE SECOND SET

Mazhar ve Fuat — “Sür Efem Atini” — Love, Peace & Poetry: Turkish Psychedelic Music

The Temptations — “Cloud Nine” — Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971

Tet Somnang & Meas Samon — “Khnyom Jah Karake” — Cambodian Nuggets

Simon & the Piemen — “Cut It Out” — Instro Inferno 5: The Melting Pot

African Brothers & King Tubby — “Amanda Dub” — The African Brothers Meet King Tubby in Dub

The Henchmen — “Livin’” — Friday at The Hideout: Boss Detroit Garage 1964-67

Grupo Baquedanu’s — “Toma Cinco” — Color De Trópico Vol. 3

The Undertones — “True Confessions [Keyboard Version]” — The Undertones

Orchestre Conga International — “Nakupenda Sana” — Kenya Special: Volume Two (Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & ’80s)

Mel Smith — “Pretty Plaid Skirt” — Desperate Rock ‘n’ Roll, Vol. 1

THE THIRD SET

Dany Play — “Pourquoi Pas” — Disque La Rayé – 60’s French West-Indies Boo-Boo-Galoo

Procol Harum — “Still There’ll Be More” — Home

The Upsetters — “Party Time (Pt. 2)” — Arkology Reel II: Dub Shepherd

The Modern Lovers — “Modern World [Alternative Version]” — The Modern Lovers

Manzanita Y Su Conjunto — “Arre Caballito” — Cumbías Chichadélicas (Peruvian Psychedelic Chicha)

Aardvarks — “I’m Higher Than I’m Down” — Scream Loud!!! The Fenton Records Story

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou — “Assibavi” — The Vodoun Effect: Funk And Sato From Benin’s Obscure Labels 1972-1975

THE FINAL SET

Mighty Hannibal — “My Name Is Hannibal” — Hannibalism

Freddy Roland Y Su Orquesta — “La Sopita” — ¡Gózalo! Bugalú Tropical, Vol. 5

Johnny Moore & His New Blazers — “Bullfrog” — Frolic Diner Vol. 2

Pamelo Mounk’a & les Bantous de la Capitale — “Nora Mensah D’Adjame” — Pamelo Mounk’a & les Bantous de la Capitale

Terry Reid — “Superlungs My Supergirl” — Terry Reid

Yabby You & The Prophets — “Time Changing Dub” — The Yabby You Sound (Dubs & Versions)

LORD BUCKLEY’S WEEKLY BENEDICTION…

The Andrew Oldham Orchestra — “The Last Time” — The Rolling Stones Songbook