L.A.-based funk selector Dam Funk, a specialist in early-80s subgenres like boogie and electro-funk, is back in the Bay Area this Wednesday for a show The New Parish in Oakland. To toast the occasion—his last performance here before summer ends—Dam shared his Top 5 summer jams with us.

High Frequency – “Summertime” | 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W81OP6-XOvM

“This is a great disco/boogie record that has summer all over, within the chords, upbeat tempo and vocal delivery of the great Leroy Burgess on lead vocals and keys.”

The McCrarys – “Love On A Hot Summer Night” | 1983

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP84rTK-qYc&feature=related

“Classic, yet rare L.A. summer vibes on this joint. Goes well with a nice cruise, in your ride, within a breezy, palm tree swaying, sunset summer evening.”

Musique – “Summer Love” | 1978

Great Patrick Adams production here, which really captures the summer vibes well. There’s an instrumental version to this as well that takes summer even further, when grooving to it.

SLAVE – “Summertime Girls” | 1988

“This is a Sleeper, later period SLAVE joint—on the late-80s funk tip—that catches a nice summer vibe as the joint creeps up on you.”

Larry Heard (aka Mr. Fingers) – “Summertime Breeze” | 1994

“Lovely summer groove created by the one and only Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers, Fingers INC., etc) from Chicago, which takes the listener on a great journey through the blissful sound & warm vibes of summer. one of my favorite pieces of music of all time.”

What are your favorite summer jams?

Dam Funk performs with Master Blazer, Ge-Ology and Sweater Funk DJs on August 31st. Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.

• Tag: audio, Video