[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!
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- 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.
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[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Must-Listen Classic Albums for Beginners (21–30)
Between The SheetsIsley Brothers
The Isley Brothers have been active for more than half a century.
Their timeless classics are still being covered and sampled by many artists today, so chances are you’ve heard their songs at least once.
Among them, I believe the masterpiece of masterpieces is Between the Sheets.
Party On PlasticBootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins, a heavyweight of P-Funk, is instantly recognizable by his trademark star-shaped sunglasses and a seriously funky look.
His punchy, deep voice—yet clear, almost translucent singing—is captivating.
This is a classic from the era when trends were shifting toward hip-hop.
[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Must-Listen Classic Albums for Beginners (31–40)
Papa’s got a brand new bagJames Brown
A track produced and performed by James Brown himself.
It became his first Grammy Award-winning song.
When it was selected for single release from the album of the same name, it was rearranged into a more sped-up version by raising both the tempo and pitch by half.
UpTown FunkMark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Released in 2015, this song won numerous music awards and arguably reintroduced the brilliance of funk music to the world.
By proving that funk never loses its shine, it reached listeners of all ages in all kinds of settings.
ChameleonHerbie Hancock
It’s a jazz standard composed by Herbie Hancock, notable for its distinctive bass line and funk-driven beat.
The piece has become one of the most widely recognized jazz standards and is a staple in the repertoire of many jazz ensembles.
I’d Rather Be with YouBootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins, who hails from James Brown’s backing band and also thrived as a core member of George Clinton’s P-Funk, is renowned as one of the quintessential bassists in funk music.
Under the name Bootsy’s Rubber Band as well as his own, he has released numerous hit songs.
The compilation we’re featuring here, released in 1994, covers most of the hit singles put out between 1976 and 1982, making it a perfect one-stop pick for anyone who wants a quick introduction to his peak-era work.
Word UpCameo
It’s a 1986 hit by the American R&B and funk band Cameo, which won the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul.
The song has been covered by many musicians, including the American metal band Korn.