Where to find this music or music like it?

July 27, 2023 3:51 PM

I heard this funky bumper music in a Taxi episode (not sure if they call it bumper music but I hope so!) and wondered: Is there an extended version of this piece? More music like it even if from a different artist? Got a good vibe going, but couldn't find anything but the main theme song on Youtube. Thank you for any tips or suggestions.
posted by circular to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

Best answer: You may enjoy some of John Lurie's lighter fare, like the soundtrack for Get Shorty or his Marvin Pontiac album.

Not at all what you're looking for, but I love his Voice of Chunk album with his band The Lounge Lizards.
posted by dobbs at 4:34 PM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The music for Taxi was by Bob James. He released an album The Genie: Themes & Variations From The TV Series "Taxi" (1983), which probably has the track you are looking for and more.

He has recorded a lot of music: BOB JAMES | Albums
posted by scruss at 5:04 PM on July 27, 2023 [8 favorites]

Best answer: The whole album is on Youtube (but not as a playlist):

1. Brooklyn Heights Boogie
2. The Genie
3. Last Chance
4. Ballade
5. Groove for Julie
6. Hello Nardo
7. The Marilu
8. New York Mellow
9. Night Moods
10. Angela (Theme from Taxi)

posted by scruss at 5:27 PM on July 27, 2023 [6 favorites]

Best answer: I'm not sure if this suggestion is on point or not, but you might like some of the funky retro instrumentals by the British band Corduroy. They tend to be a bit more uptempo than your example. You could try Long Cool and Bubbly or Harry Palmer.
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 5:28 PM on July 27, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Perhaps I am off the mark, but I immediately thought of the Beastie Boy’s (mostly) instrumental album, The In Sound From Way Out.
posted by sacrifix at 6:07 PM on July 27, 2023

Best answer: A little more futuristic, but still kind of fuzzy & funky is Air's Moon Safari
posted by askmehow at 6:39 PM on July 27, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: CTI Records was ground zero for this music (and Bob James) in the early-mid 70s.

Previously
30min overview
YouTube playlist

Lots more where those came from. Happy hunting!
posted by rhizome at 6:53 PM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Maybe Cymande ?
posted by TimHare at 10:20 PM on July 27, 2023

Best answer: scruss has it. That is a clip from "Groove for Julie" by Bob James.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:27 PM on July 28, 2023 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks all for these amazing tips and resources!
posted by circular at 10:52 PM on July 30, 2023