Fatback Band

The Fatback Band formed in 1970 in Brooklyn, New York, with drummer Bill Curtis and bassist Johnny King at the core. They built their sound around straightforward funk grooves that worked well on dance floors, avoiding the more complex arrangements some of their peers favored. Their 1974 single 'Do It To Me Now' became a breakout hit, giving them a clearer commercial direction.

That track's success led to a series of albums through the late 1970s and early 1980s, including 'Keep on Steppin'', 'Fatback', and 'Jack the Rapper'. The band's lineup shifted over time, with keyboardist George Adams, guitarist Johnny Jackson, and vocalist Jeanette Washington joining at various points. Their material, like the song 'Yum Yum', often leaned into playful, direct lyrics about romance and partying.

While not always critically celebrated, their records found a steady audience. The Fatback Band's uncomplicated funk rhythms later became source material for hip-hop producers looking for breakbeats and basslines to sample.