Analysis: Testify – Isley Bros and Jimi Hendrix (The First Funk Record?)

By Bob Davis

Subject: What was the 1st FUNK record ?

Once again, this eternal question rears its ugly head…:)

In his book “Funk: The music The People and The one”, author Rickey Vincent makes the case for “Outta Sight” – James Brown as the very first FUNK record.
Here presented for your consideration is the song “Testify parts 1&2” – Isley Brothers.

Hopefully you have Windows 95/NT so that you can hear the “afropolyrythmic stone cold soul shouting” of the Isley’s lead singer Ronald Isley as he describes “something deep within his SOUL”. Along with Ronald we hear in the “call and response” tradition of Black music, the response back from the acid fire guitar of Jimi Hendrix
Read the words & listen to the music & see what you think?

Got any thoughts ?
Let us know via email

“Testify Parts 1 & 2” – Isley Bros. w/Jimi Hendrix (1966)

I’m a FREAK for music it’s in my SOUL
I can’t help it if it mooooooves me down to my TOES
I said I’m a witness I’m here to testify
I wanna to tell yall about it…I’m here to testify !!
I ain’t gonna tell no lie
I feel a RIPPLE travel down in to feet
I can’t keep still baby….I FEEL THE BEAT

Awwwww if it’s in my soul
Awwwww if it’s in my soul, yall
Awwwww if it’s in my soul

I wanna TESTIFY !!!

You can’t knock it if you haven’t tried it..

IF YOU FEEL IT
DON’T CHA TRY TO HIDE IT

Everybody throw your hands up
I’ll bet cha wanna SHOUT
Don’t be ashamed baby to let it ALL hang out
Awwwww if it’s in your soul…

if it’s in your soul
if it’s in your soul
if it’s in your soul

AWWWWWWWWWWW STAND UP & TESIFY..
come on

(Nasty/Wack/Funky Hendrix guitar solo)

Music is blowin my mind_MUUUUUSSSSSSSSSIC
Don’t cha know I’m so GLAAAAAAAAAAAD, I’m SO GLAAAAAAD that it’s down in my SOUL

I’m Soooo glad that it’s in my soul
I’m Soooo glad that it’s in my soul
I’m Soooo glad that it’s in my soul

Ooooooh
I don’t know what it is_.aww but I like it

I don’t know what it is…I can’t explain but I know that it’s real
Don’t cha know that I’m so glad…so glad that it’s in my soul
But you like plastic_.plastic is your thang..
But you can’t touch what it feels
All I know is what I feel in my soul
down in my soul….down in my soul

Don’t cha know I’m so glaaaaaaaaaaad
soooooo glaaaaaad
SOOOOOO GLAAAAAAD that it’s in my SOUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m so glad that it’s in my soul
I’m so glad that it’s in my soul
I’m so glad that it’s in my soul
I’m so glad that it’s in my soul

(so glad)
(so glad)
(so glad)
(so glad)

I wanna testify……….

—“Testify pt’s 1 & 2” – Isley Bros. w/Jimi Hendrix (1966)