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I love this stuff

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I saw JD play once using only kick drum, high hat, and iron skillet on a snare stand. It was sick.

how about a little Johnny Guitar Watson

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i'm a big fan of Mahavishnu Orchestra's funky stuff. Love the bass line at around 3:15 in this song. Plus, it has a killer Cobham drum solo...

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Keziah Jones
Tower of Power as mentioned (my last drum teacher's band).
Carter

Other than George Clinton and Parliament, early Red Hot Chili Peppers (when they were a California garage band) has some nice funk elements to it.

Thanks everyone for the input. Sampled a few tracks from suggestions here and am starting with a little each of:

Parliament
Gap Band
Ohio Players
War
George Clinton
Cameo

Again, I appreciate your suggestions.

Two versions of one of the funkiest tunes written

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^^ Live version is great!

Funk? or Fusion?:

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I was going to mention the Chili's. They sure did know how to bring the funk in their early days. Good choice!

I've been a HUGE funk aficionado all my life...

I recently came accross this gem: probably one of THE funkiest songs ever (check out the change-ups at 2:20 and 4:20):

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I'll throw in a few of the more recent stuff I've come across...
A lot of the good NEW funk these days is being produced in Europe:

Haggis Horns from Leeds (lots of great music from them):
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The Soul Snatchers from the Netherlands:
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Laura Vane & the Vipertones from the UK:
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Loads of good suggestions. You might also check out some of the area favorites such as "Papa Grows Funk" and "Dumpstafunk" (Ivan Neville carrying on in true "Meters" form

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arS97G5G0nc

Papa Grows Funk - Shakin' - 5/5/12 New Orleans, LA @ The Howlin' Wolf - YouTube

Dumpstaphunk - Lt. Dan, Put It In The Dumpsta, Everybody Want Sum, Fight The Power 5/5/11 NOLA @ CAC - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYY6gfA6-jo

Both have been favorites of mine every since they came on the scene. For more old school 'Nawlins style, check out Robert Palmer's "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" which had the Meters and Lowell George as a backing band :D

Robert Palmer - Sneakin Sally Through The Alley (with lyrics) - YouTube