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Description
Neapolitan funk, often associated with the "Neapolitan Power" movement, is a vibrant fusion genre emerging from Naples, Italy. It blends the rhythmic drive of American funk, jazz-rock, and blues with the melodic sensibilities and traditional instrumentation of Naples (such as the tammurriata).
Characterized by the use of the Neapolitan dialect, often mixed with English or Italian, the genre serves as a vehicle for social commentary and cultural pride. The sound is defined by groovy basslines, sharp percussive elements (including the traditional tammorra), and a unique melodic phrasing that draws from both Mediterranean folklore and African-American soul.
History
The roots of Neapolitan funk lie in the post-WWII era, where the American military presence in Naples introduced local musicians to jazz, blues, and later, rock and roll. By the mid-1970s, a cultural and musical revolution known as "Neapolitan Power" began to take shape.
Led by figures like James Senese (a saxophonist of African-American and Neapolitan descent) and his band Napoli Centrale, musicians began fusing the complex structures of jazz-rock and weather report-style fusion with the raw energy of Neapolitan folk. Pino Daniele emerged from this scene, releasing pivotal albums like Terra mia (1977) and Nero a metĂ (1980), which brought the sound to a massive national audience by blending blues and funk with the local dialect.
The genre solidified its identity in the 80s, incorporating more electronic elements, disco grooves, and world music influences. Artists like Tullio De Piscopo and Tony Esposito scored international hits, mixing funk rhythms with Mediterranean percussion. The movement became a symbol of Naples' cultural renaissance, moving away from the traditional stereotypes of the "mandolin and serenade."
In recent years, the genre has seen a resurgence dubbed "Nuova Napoli" or the "Napoli Sound," spearheaded by projects like Nu Genea (formerly Nu Guinea). This modern wave reinterprets the disco-funk heritage of the 70s and 80s for contemporary dancefloors, maintaining the dialect and the groove while adding modern production values.
How to make a track in this genre
Composing Neapolitan funk requires balancing American groove with Mediterranean soul.
Start with a solid funk foundation. The bass should be prominent, often syncopated or using slap techniques, locking in tight with the drums. Layer this with traditional percussion; the tammorra (a large frame drum) is essential for adding that specific Neapolitan triplet feel or "gallop" over the 4/4 funk beat.
Use jazz-influenced chords (minor 7ths, 9ths, 13ths) but construct melodies that reflect Neapolitan folk scales. This often involves the Phrygian dominant scale or harmonic minor elements, creating a "Spanish" or "Arabesque" flavor common in Southern Italian music. The melody should feel vocal and expressive, even on instruments like the saxophone.
Combine standard funk gear (electric guitar with "chick-a" scratching, Fender Rhodes, synthesizers) with acoustic folk instruments like the mandolin or acoustic guitar. A saxophone, often played with a gritty, bluesy tone (Ă la James Senese), is a hallmark lead instrument.
The vocal delivery should be soulful and passionate. Crucially, lyrics should be written in the Neapolitan dialect, or a "macaronic" mix of dialect, Italian, and English. Themes often touch on the beauty of Naples, social injustice, or the concept of appocundria (a specific type of nostalgic melancholy).
