Cecil Hunt (July 27, 1940 – April 12, 2015) – Just Don't Mean A Thing (1973)

The founding member of Funk, Inc. co-wrote this cinematic anthem, produced by the legendary producer David Axelrod.

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Cecil Hunt was a percussionist, songwriter, and one of the original members of the early 1970s jazz-funk group Funk, Inc.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hunt and four friends (organist Bobby Watley, tenor saxophonist Eugene Barr, guitarist Steve Weakley, and drummer Jimmy Munford) came together to form Funk, Inc. in 1969. Hunt played congas and was one of the group’s songwriters.

They signed to Prestige Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1971, recorded at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. A highlight was the upbeat jam “Bowlegs,” written by Weakley. The LP was produced by the prolific Bob Porter, who helped create over 200 albums during his career.

The group’s second album Chicken Lickin’ dropped in 1972 on Prestige. It was probably again produced by Porter, although he was uncredited, with the back cover indicating it had been “Supervised By” Prestige staff producer/composer Ozzie Cadena.

Bobby Watley wrote its superb peace anthem “Let’s Make Peace And Stop The War,” which prominently featured Hunt’s conga playing. An extended, laid back jam that resembled Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Happening Brother” released the previous year on What’s Going On, Watley and Munford were featured on the track’s socially conscious vocals which kicked in around 2:16.

Cadena officially took over production on their third album Hangin’ Out (1973). It featured the funky cut “We Can Be Friends,” co-written by Hunt, Watley, and Munford. On their fourth album Superfunk, released in late 1973, the group collaborated with legendary producer David Axelrod. Hunt, Watley, and Munford co-wrote two of its tracks, the hypnotic jam “Goodbye, So Long” and the cinematic funk anthem “Just Don't Mean A Thing.”

Notable additional personnel who Axelrod brought in for the LP’s recording sessions at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA included George Bohanon on trombone and Johnny “Guitar” Watson on electric bass.

Happy Celestial Birthday to the great Cecil Hunt.

Further info:

“Cecil Hunt," obituary, Dignity Memorial, April, 2015.

#soul #funk #FunkInc #DavidAxelrod #CecilHunt