The Song Planner

Psychedelic Funk Blues

tagStarted late 1960s psychedelic rock, funk and blues-rock overlapPeak late 1960s-1970s; revived in modern heavy blues and jam scenesLast big hit active in blues-rock, jam-funk and retro-psych guitar bands

Located in 1 route

Blues → Blues-Funk / Groove Blues

Psychedelic Funk Blues blends blues riffs and vocals with fuzz, wah, extended jams, heavy bass, funk drums and psychedelic studio or stage effects. It can sound like acid rock, heavy soul or jam blues depending on the band. The blues element usually comes through guitar bends, minor pentatonic riffs and call-and-response vocals; the psychedelic/funk side expands texture and groove.

History

Late-1960s blues-rock musicians absorbed Hendrix, Sly Stone, Cream, Funkadelic and electric Chicago/Texas blues at the same time. Jimi Hendrix, Funkadelic, Buddy Miles, Robin Trower, ZZ Top, Gov't Mule, Gary Clark Jr. and modern heavy blues artists show different versions of the blend. The style survives because blues guitar remains one of the easiest languages to stretch into fuzz, wah and long-form groove.

Defining artists

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Essential listening

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← Explore Blues

Sources

  • psychedelic blues-rock histories
  • funk-rock references
  • artist discographies
  • streaming/video checks