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[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!

Playlist

[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastFamily AffairSly & The Family StoneSly Stone’s groundbreaking masterpiece ‘Riot’
2eastThey Say I’m DifferentBetty DavisThe Innovative Music of Betty Davis
3eastSuperstitionStevie WonderStevie Wonder’s classic album “Talking Book”
4eastSerpentine FireEarth, Wind & FireCosmic funk, a soul-stirring masterpiece
5eastGet Down On ItCurtis MayfieldCurtis Mayfield’s classic album
6eastHandcuffsParliamentP-Funk's greatest masterpiece, cosmic sound, shocking
7eastStretchin’ Out (In a Rubber Band)Bootsy’s Rubber BandA classic album by Bootsy’s Rubber Band
8eastFireOhio PlayersThe Ohio Players’ classic album “Fire”
9eastPieces of a ManGil Scott-HeronThe appeal of Heron’s album “Pieces of a Man”
10eastTheme from ShaftIsaac HayesIsaac Hayes’s classic soundtrack
11eastMaggot BrainFunkadelicA world of sound revealed by a breathtaking guitar solo
12eastThe PaybackJames BrownJames Brown’s classic song
13eastWhat Is HipTower Of PowerTower of Power’s classic album
14eastBody BaitSymbaNo matter the genre, with just one piece of al...
15eastFunky StuffKool and The GangA classic album by Kool & the Gang
16eastChicken StrutThe MetersA masterpiece from a New Orleans-born funk band
17eastThat LadyIsley BrothersThe Isley Brothers’ classic album “3 + 3”
18eastSuper FreakRick JamesA bassist who represents the funk music scene…
19eastI’m Every WomanChaka KhanHailed as the Queen of R&B, she has enjoyed a long career since the 1970s...
20eastWho Can I Run ToThe Jones GirlsWell known among fans of Philly Soul...
21eastThank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)Sly & The Family Stone「Everybody Is a Star…
22eastSoul Power ’74Maceo and the MacksAs a saxophonist, a leading figure in P-Funk...
23eastFantasyEarth, Wind & FireAs the theme song or an insert song in numerous films and TV dramas…
24eastMore Bounce To The OunceZapp & RogerThe American funk band Zapp’s de...
25eastSeptemberEarth, Wind & FireEtched its name into the history of funk music…
26eastLady MarmaladePatti LaBelleThis song, which became a huge hit in 1974. 200...
27eastGet Down On ItKool and The GangIn 1964, in the U.S. state of New Jersey...
28eastLady Cab DriverPrinceWhen it comes to pioneers of the Minneapolis funk sound, Pri…
29eastBetween The SheetsIsley BrothersThe Isley ... who have been active for more than half a century
30eastParty On PlasticBootsy CollinsBootsy Co..., a leading figure in P-Funk
31eastPapa’s got a brand new bagJames BrownProduced by James Brown himself, …
32eastUpTown FunkMark Ronson feat. Bruno MarsIn 2015, after winning numerous music awards, this world...
33eastChameleonHerbie HancockThe piece composed by Herbie Hancock is…
34eastI’d Rather Be with YouBootsy CollinsJames Brown’s backing band…
35eastWord UpCameoAmerican R&B and funk band Cam…
36eastPapa Was A Rolling StoneThe TemptationsThe Te… released in 1972
37eastAtomic DogGeorge ClintonSpeaking of George Clinton, Parlia...
38eastJungle BoogieKool and The GangAn American soul, R&B, and funk ban...
39eastSex MachineJames BrownKnown by many epithets, the “Godfather of Soul…”
40eastSuperflyCurtis MayfieldThe Sa... from the 1972 film “Superfly”
41eastKnee DeepFunkadelicHe established the musical genre known as P-Funk, and…
42eastDon’t Stop ‘Til You Get EnoughMichael JacksonComposed by Michael Jackson…
43eastSuper FreakRick JamesOne of Rick James's signature songs, ...
44eastFlash LightParliamentOne of the two leading bands representing P-Funk, Pa...
45eastWatermelon ManBernie WorrellMr. Bernie Worrell is George Cl…
46eastShaftIsaac HayesIsaac Hayes’s sound track…
47eastTell Me Something GoodRufus & Chaka KhanProduced by Stevie Wonder,…
48eastGirl Don’t Make Me WaitBunny SiglerA singer-songwriter who has been active since the 1960s…
49eastThink (About It)Lyn CollinsReleased by James Brown in 1972…
50eastDo U Want ItPapa Grows FunkThe event hosted by leader John Grow wa...
51eastCissy StrutThe MetersThe Me… released in 1969
52eastPick Up The PiecesAverage White BandAverage White Band is s...
53eastLove RollercoasterOhaio PlayersIf we’re talking about quintessential Ohio funk bands…
54eastTight JeansPrince Charles And The City Beat BandLater, as a studio engineer and producer…
55eastDance to the musicSly & The Family StoneLed by Sly Stone from Texas…
56eastI’ll Take You ThereThe Staple SingersThe soul gospel family band, T…
57eastPlay That Funky MusicWild CherryRob Parissi, the vocalist and guitarist…
58eastOne Nation Under A GrooveFunkadelicAmerican funk rock band, F...
59eastGot To Give It UpMarvin GayeHe has also had a tremendous impact on Michael Jackson...
60eastDoo Wa Ditty Blow That ThingZappOne of the funk bands representing Ohio, ...
61eastSo Ruff, so TuffZappA funk musician that America is proud of…
62eastMary JaneRick JamesA leading figure in the soul and funk music scene…
63eastFunkytownLipps IncLip..., known for American disco
64eastWatching YouSlave
Watching YouSlave
When it comes to heavyweight funk bands from Ohio...
65eastDisco to GoBrides Of FunkensteinBoth the album jacket and the unit name are striking…
66eastLe FreakChicFormed in 1977 in the United States as a funk band…
67eastJuicy FruitMTUMEMtume worked with Miles Davis and...
68eastHigher GroundStevie WonderThe 1973 album “Innervisi…
69eastTears At The End Of A Love AffairTammi TerrellHe passed away at the young age of 24...
70eastSoul FingerThe Bar-KaysThe Bar-Kays’ first albu…
71eastBrick HouseThe CommunardsThe self-titled [album/work], released in 1977…
72eastThe BumpThe CommunardsThat Lionel Richie is the original mem…
73eastPlease Mr. PostmanThe MarvelettesA quintessential 1960s soul-to-doo-wop...
74eastCloud NineThe TemptationsThe Temptations were in 1960…
75eastLow RiderWarEric Bu… of the former The Animals
76eastI’m Every WomanChaka KhanFunk band Rufus’s...
77eastOut of SightJames BrownWhen it comes to funk, it has to be this guy! James Br…
78eastBrick HouseFrankie SmithArtists like the O’Jays and the Spinners, as we—
79eastIt’s Your ThingThe Isley BrothersRolling Stone magazine’s “The All …”