In the summer of 2022, I read, though rather late, that the legendary Betty Davis had passed away. The past few years had been among the worst of my life, as I had lost my most loved family members within a 15-month period. I was already overwhelmed by a strong sense of nostalgia. With Betty Davis’ news, I got back to my music archives. Listening to music brought back a wave of emotions and a longing for better days. Soon I found myself drawn back to the 70s, a time that resonated with the happier memories of my childhood.

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Being a stronger reader than I am a listener, I began to explore the performers of the era while I listened. When reading became lull, I checked youtube to see these guys come alive and there they were, sometimes with the Soul Train dancers, in vibrant colors on my screen.

The 70s funk scene was like a fashion show on stage. Glam and psychedelic. Extravagant and androgynous. Feather boas, shoulder pads, capes, sequins. Bold head accessories, lots of statement jewelry… I loved every one of them.

And the album covers were nothing short of those; many influential designers and art directors of the 70s had contributed to them. Movies, books, psychedelic posters... With every album I listened to, I learned more about the literature, fashion, and other artistic fields of the 70s, broadening my horizons beyond music.

This exploration sort of ignited a spark. 💥 A desire to create a space for my learning and passion – and thus, FUNKretrospect was born, a personal treasure hunt project. ✨

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I have been a researcher, analyst, and marketer all my career. I am a researcher, reader, collector, and archiver by nature.

I listened to the 70s albums, watched live recordings from the era, read articles & interviews. I created archive folders spanning half a century.

I kept two gates: focusing on funk and sub-funk genres (so there will be lots of funk, jazz-funk, and funk fusion here) and staying in the 70s—the decade.

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Capturing the infectious energy of the 70s Funk scene, I want to create a similar vibe here in this digital space. Upbeat, dynamic, irresistible rhythms from the most glamorous and mesmerizing performers—music that has always been close to my heart or that I fell head-over-heels in love with; and when possible some more fun to go with it – be it a book, a movie, or the album cover itself! 🎵📙🎬🎶

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Hope you enjoy the site ✨

Gülben; Feb2024