Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk · Farley Jackmaster Funk, born Farley Keith Williams in 1962, is an American DJ, musician and producer from Chicago, a pioneer of house and acid house. In the mid and late 1980s he wrote and produced several influential tracks. Under other names he appeared as Farley Funkin' Keith, The Housemaster Boyz and The Godfather of House. In 1981 he was one of the original members of the Hot Mix 5, a DJ team on the radio station WBMX in Oak Park, Illinois. He played as a guest at the Warehouse and as a regular at The Playground.

Music and breakthrough

In 1985 he started the label House Records with Chip E., with Jack Trax as its first release. His own debut single was Aw Shucks (Let's Go Let's Go), followed by Funkin with the Drums, with bare beat tracks of drums alone. His single Jack the Bass kicked off the jacking craze in Chicago in 1985. Give Yourself to Me followed. In 1986, with Jesse Saunders, he made a version of his own of the cover of I Can't Turn Around by Isaac Hayes that his housemate Steve Silk Hurley had produced. Vince Lawrence's new lyrics changed the hook to Love Can't Turn Around, sung by Darryl Pandy. The song reached number ten on the British chart and was the first house hit there.

Influence

With that Farley brought house across the ocean. His music consists of solid drum machines, bass and short vocal hooks, made for the dance floor. His album No Vocals Necessary appeared in 1988. He belongs to the makers who made Chicago the cradle of house.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1988No Vocals Necessary