Deep Groove Encyclopedia - Farley "Jackmaster" Funk

Farley "Jackmaster" Funk

Click below for a Farley Funk sample:

Farley "Jackmaster" Funk is one of the more curious personalities of house history. He has claimed to have invented house music, yet credits another person with actually coming up with the term. Born Farley Keith Williams, he's also admitted that he stole his moniker "Jackmaster" from Steve Hurley in a fit of jealousy.

On a musical note, Farley was one of the original Hot Mix 5 DJs that popularized house music on Chicago's WBMX. He also was one of the first to get into the studio and produce his own records. The Funkin' With the Drums EP hit the streets first, but was eclipsed in importance by "Love Can't Turn Around." A cover of an obscure Isaac Hayes song with Darryl Pandy on vocals, "Love" was the first top 10 single in house music. Astounded by his popularity, Farley spent the better part of a decade enjoying a lucrative career as a DJ, avoiding studio work until the mid 90s. A born-again Christian, he later joined a gospel station in the Windy City where he serves up sets of gospel house.

Farley "Jackmaster" Funk's Deepest Grooves

"Funkin' With the Drums" (Trax, 1986)

"Love Can't Turn Around" (Trax, 1986)

"Farley Knows House" (Trax, 1987)

"The Promised Land" (Strictly Rhythm, 1995)

House Music Movement (Mastertone, 1998)