[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 (51–60)
Play That Funky MusicWild Cherry
The song, created by vocalist and guitarist Rob Parissi, reached No.
1 on the Billboard chart in 1976.
In 1990, American rapper Vanilla Ice released a similarly titled inspiration song as the A-side to “Ice Ice Baby.
” This led to a copyright infringement lawsuit by Rob Parissi, resulting in Vanilla Ice paying $500,000.
One Nation Under A GrooveFunkadelic
It was the biggest hit by the American funk-rock band Funkadelic and the band’s only million-selling single.
It has also been selected for Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Got To Give It UpMarvin Gaye
A 1977 song by the American artist Marvin Gaye, who is said to have greatly influenced Michael Jackson.
It reached No.
1 on three Billboard charts and became a worldwide hit.
The track is included on the album “Live at the London Palladium.”
Doo Wa Ditty Blow That ThingZapp
Zapp is one of the funk bands that represent Ohio.
This track likely had a major influence on the G-funk hip-hop sound that became popular on the West Coast in the early ’90s.
As a song that could be called a cornerstone of hip-hop, it’s one that fans of Black music should definitely hear.
[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums You Should Hear at Least Once [Beginners] (61–70)
So Ruff, so TuffZapp
American funk musician and producer Roger Troutman, a source of national pride, achieved great success not only with Zapp, the band he formed with his brothers, but also as a solo artist.
His 1981 solo debut album, The Many Facets of Roger, was a hit and features his cover of Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” along with tracks like “So Ruff, So Tuff” and “Do It Roger.” The six-track album showcases his signature talk box-driven vocals and breezy funk-to-dance tunes.
It’s the perfect starting point—highly recommended!
Mary JaneRick James
Rick James is a bassist who represents the soul and funk music world, as well as a singer and producer.
Known for his wild, larger-than-life lifestyle, he finally found success in his thirties with the release of the 1978 album Come Get It!, which I’d like to introduce.
The record is a highly polished set that includes classics like the disco anthem You and I, where feel-good funk explodes, and Mary Jane, whose mellow yet hard-hitting bass line is irresistibly cool.
It’s also a work that has been heavily sampled and referenced in later R&B and hip-hop, making it essential listening for anyone interested in those genres.
FunkytownLipps Inc
A track from Lipps Inc.
’s debut album, known for American disco.
It reached No.
1 in 28 countries, including the United States, Germany, and Austria.
The song was written by the band while they were in Minneapolis, dreaming of moving to New York.