Stuck In A Pagoda With Motoko Aoyama

Since some of the descriptions of “Resonant Blue”’s music that I’ve seen on other blogs (Yes, Celestia and Yoshimi, I’m talking to both of you!) are inaccurately describing the musical style Morning Musume uses in their forthcoming single as “pop” or “hip-hop” (in both cases… WTF?), a little lesson in the funk is in order. And having grown up on R&B music, suffice it to say that I know my funk, OK. Let’s begin…

First, “Love Rollercoaster” by the Ohio Players. Where do you think the opening guitar lick in “Resonant Blue” comes from?

Next, the mothership known as Parliament-Funkadelic. First, the Funkadelic side of the equation with the title track of their seminal album One Nation Under a Groove:

then, two cuts from Parliament: “Flashlight”…

…and then “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)”.

My colleague Vee heard some Earth Wind & Fire in “Resonant Blue” as well (which I didn’t catch on first listen as my brain went into funk overload after hearing the Ohio Players and P-Funk bits), and since I trust her ear and she knows her EW&F, here’s “Let’s Groove”:

…and “Getaway”:

Blend those elements together, and you get one of Morning Fucking Musume’s best singles.

Oh, and while I have the floor… Quit your bitching about how Reina and Takitty have most of the lead vocals - it got old after the first 10 minutes of complaining. …You’re welcome.