![[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xag5RKD0VHk/sddefault.jpg)
[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
This may be sudden, but are you familiar with the music genre called “funk”? Even if you aren’t, you’ve probably heard the word “funky” in everyday life.
As a music genre, funk took shape in the 1960s and reached its peak from the 1970s onward, when many popular bands released hit funk tracks.
Funk music has had a major influence on later generations—modern hip-hop artists still love sampling songs from that era.
In this article, especially for beginners, we’ll introduce must-listen classic funk albums to get you started!
[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Must-Listen Classic Albums for Beginners (1–10)
Family AffairSly & The Family Stone
Released in 1971, There’s a Riot Goin’ On by Sly & The Family Stone—led by the legendary artist Sly Stone, whose passing in June 2025 was widely reported in Japan—marked a dramatic shift from the upbeat vibe of their earlier work.
Its heavy, introspective sound shocked many listeners at the time.
The mechanical rhythms of the drum machine paired with Sly’s languid vocals create a production that feels like a mirror reflecting the era’s sense of nihilism.
This singular vision not only had a profound influence on later artists, but also helped open the door to jazz-funk.
It might seem “difficult” at first listen, but the more you dive in, the more its depth pulls you in.
Experience this other face of funk for yourself!
SuperstitionStevie Wonder
Talking Book is a classic album representing the “golden era” of Stevie Wonder, a legendary artist who enjoys overwhelming name recognition in Japan and continues to make history.
It features numerous hit songs, including “Superstition,” and has often been used in TV shows and commercials.
To fully savor the album’s funky sound, focus above all on the crisp, tight rhythms laid down by the clavinet! The rich palette of synthesizer-driven textures and their contrast with warm ballads are also superb.
Because the album is structured like a single story, listening in the original track order will let you fully appreciate the profound world it creates.
They Say I’m DifferentBetty Davis
Betty Davis of the United States, often called the Queen of Funk, released They Say I’m Different in 1974—a stunning masterpiece that grabs the listener’s soul.
Her raw yet sensual vocals pair perfectly with the earth-crawling, sinuous basslines and razor-sharp guitar riffs.
The sound she crafted—writing every track herself—overflows with a radical, unbound energy that overturned the norms of its time.
That’s why its innovative vision transcends eras and seeps deep into the heart.
Why not experience the one-of-a-kind groove that even influenced Prince?
Serpentine FireEarth, Wind & Fire
A hugely popular album by the soul–disco powerhouse Earth, Wind & Fire, All ‘n All fuses grand, sprawling sounds across funk, soul, and disco with a spiritual, cosmic worldview that feels like a journey through the universe.
One moment you’re swaying to the fierce funk groove of the opening track, Serpentine Fire; the next, you’re swept away by the dreamlike beauty of Fantasy.
Maurice White’s masterful production interweaves with Philip Bailey’s soaring falsetto to transport listeners into an extraordinary realm.
This is a record that lets you fully experience the overwhelming energy and sheer joy of their music.
HandcuffsParliament
Parliament’s fourth album, Mothership Connection—released in 1976 and led by P-Funk founder George Clinton—is often recommended as the perfect starting point for anyone curious about P-Funk, and many fans hail it as their masterpiece.
Its overwhelming density of ideas and conceptual structure bring together a supreme, all-in funk stew with a cosmic expansiveness, and together with the strikingly impactful album cover, it’s packed with a charm you can’t escape once you’re hooked.
It may give off a novelty vibe at first, but don’t be afraid—take the plunge into the P-Funk universe!
Get Down On ItCurtis Mayfield
This is the second solo album by Curtis Mayfield, a leading figure in American soul and funk.
It’s also known as the work released the year before his later masterpiece, Super Fly.
The sound—wah-soaked guitar and vibrant rhythms bolstered by a lavish orchestra—is nothing short of breathtaking.
What’s more, it isn’t just pleasing to the ear; it carries a powerful social message.
Listen to We Got to Have Peace, where he sings “we need peace,” and you’ll feel his earnest conviction.
This fusion of funky grooves and beautiful melodies continues to inspire countless creators today.
Immerse yourself in the soul born of this era!
FireOhio Players
The Ohio Players’ Fire, by the American funk band, is an essential masterpiece when discussing the history of funk.
It kicks off with the wail of a siren on the title track, then flips into a groove where tight drums lock in with a powerful horn section, sending the listener’s excitement soaring.
The key to fully experiencing this scorching sound is to surrender yourself to the irresistibly undulating bassline.
The album’s overwhelming intensity throughout has influenced countless artists across eras, letting you feel the power of funk with your whole body.