[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!
- Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
- A masterpiece of soul music. Recommended albums you should listen to at least once.
- A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums—from staples to the latest releases
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
- A classic R&B masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- Philly soul classics | A wave of sweet soul music arrives
- A Guide to Western Rap: Introducing Legendary Classics
- Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music
- Summary of representative Western funk artists and groups
- A classic jazz-funk masterpiece. A popular recommended track that offers a different flavor from traditional jazz.
- Classic Western albums: must-listen recommendations you should hear at least once
- Why Classic Disco Music Is Still Loved Today
[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Must-Listen Classic Albums for Beginners (71–80)
Brick HouseThe Communards
A single released from the self-titled 1977 album “Commodores.” It has been covered by many musicians and was also used in the opening of the 1999 film “Muppets from Space.”
The BumpThe Communards
The Commodores, featuring the one and only Lionel Richie as an original member on vocals and saxophone! This track from their debut album is smooth, funky, and one of my favorites.
You’ve probably heard it at least once as an insert song in a movie or TV drama.
Please Mr. PostmanThe Marvelettes
The Marvelettes were a female vocal group representing 60s soul and doo-wop.
For many people, the first thing that comes to mind with them is their smash 1961 hit Please Mr.
Postman.
It’s a classic everyone has heard at least once, the first Motown single ever to reach No.
1 on the U.
S.
charts, and it’s also famous for being covered by heavyweights like the Beatles and the Carpenters.
Only the most devoted soul-music fans might have checked out their self-titled debut album that includes this masterpiece, but it’s packed with fine tracks—like Oh I Apologize, produced by the one and only Smokey Robinson.
Cloud NineThe Temptations
It’s no exaggeration to say that The Temptations were the most successful group on Motown Records in the 1960s and ’70s.
I think this is one of those masterpieces that only the Temptations—who can sing soul, funk, and doo-wop with equal ease—could pull off.
Low RiderWar
Produced by the American funk band War—formed around Eric Burdon, formerly of The Animals—and producer Jerry Goldstein, it was released in 1975.
It reached No.
1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
The track is notable for its flowing, memorable bass line.
I’m Every WomanChaka Khan
This is Chaka Khan’s solo debut song, following her debut as the vocalist of the funk band Rufus.
With her powerful, soulful voice, she captivated the world, and the song later became famous for being covered by the late Whitney Houston.
Out of SightJames Brown
When you think of funk, this is the man—James Brown, right? Released in ’64, this track became the catalyst for the nickname “The Godfather of Funk.” Needless to say, it influenced countless musicians.