[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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[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums You Should Hear at Least Once [Beginners] (41–50)
Super FreakRick James
One of Rick James’s signature songs, released in 1981.
The slang “freak” in the song is used to refer to a wild, unruly girl.
It’s also well known for being sampled later in MC Hammer’s 1990 hit “U Can’t Touch This.”
Flash LightParliament
Parliament, one of the two leading bands representing P-Funk.
It’s hard to believe these tracks are from the ’70s! Needless to say, this song has had a tremendous influence on countless artists across various genres.
Especially for hip-hop fans, you can’t speak on the culture without knowing P-Funk!
Watermelon ManBernie Worrell
Bernie Worrell is a keyboardist who was a core member of George Clinton’s P-Funk and supported the funk scene for decades starting in the 1970s.
After P-Funk’s activities wound down in the 1980s, he broadened his scope by collaborating with bands and artists across genres.
His 2011 release, “STANDARDS,” is a collection of jazz standards that could be called orthodox.
Dialing back P-Funk’s innovative sound, the album incorporates acoustic piano and horn sections to express his affection for his musical roots.
ShaftIsaac Hayes
A soul-funk style theme from Isaac Hayes’s soundtrack album Shaft.
He also makes a cameo appearance in the film.
The album reached No.
1 on the Billboard chart and also won a Grammy Award.
Girl Don’t Make Me WaitBunny Sigler
Bunny Sigler is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who has been active since the 1960s.
While he supported the scene behind the scenes by providing songs to soul bands and artists in and around Philly, he released his milestone solo album, “Let the Good Times Roll & Feel So Good,” in 1967.
It’s a hidden gem packed with the youthful sensibilities of Bunny—who would later reign as a central figure of Philly soul—and just listening to it will put you in a good mood.
Philadelphia soul has developed into a genre of its own, so it’s also recommended for those interested in that history!
Think (About It)Lyn Collins
A funk song by soul singer Lyn Collins, produced by James Brown in 1972.
The track was later sampled by numerous hip-hop and dance music artists.
Do U Want ItPapa Grows Funk
A playful yet authentic funk band formed out of jam sessions hosted by leader John ‘Groove’—their groove-heavy track, played by funky veterans, evokes the 1970s and is a joy to listen to.
Japanese guitarist Jun Yamagishi is also one of the members.