http://maubrowncow.com/index.php/2006/09/21/nintendo-stole-a-super-mario-theme-from-6-years-ealier/
Listen to the comparison on this guys blog, Mario Bros theme is played first followed by the funk track.A while back, while digging through LAs now closed Aarons Records, I ran across a Record from Friendship, and I recognized the bassists name, Abraham Laboriel. I remembered a buddy of mine telling me that Abe was a sick bassist, and at 99 cents, i couldnt resist. So I bring my loot home, and pop it on my technics. The very first track I played is called The Real Thing. I was instantly floored. I couldnt believe my ears. I was listening to a funked out version of Super Mario Brothers Underworld theme.
I flipped the album cover over to find out when this record was released, and why Friendship would cover a Super Mario Bros theme.
Friendship released: 1979