Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music
Even if you don’t actually listen to funk as a music genre, many people unconsciously use the adjective “funky,” don’t they?
As a word that’s already woven into everyday life, what kind of image do you all have of “funk”?
Funk, whose prototype is said to have emerged in the 1960s, has continued to be loved into the 2020s, evolving in form and powering countless hit songs.
This time, we’ll bring you a wide array of classics—from foundational funk essentials to disco, mellow groove, and contemporary funk.
You just might encounter the destined masterpiece that awakens the funkiness sleeping inside you!
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- 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.
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces of 70s Disco Music
- A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums—from staples to the latest releases
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of 80s Disco
- R&B Masterpieces in Western Music: From the Latest Hits to Timeless Classics [2025]
- Back to those nostalgic days… Classic and hit Western songs of the 1960s
- Classic fusion music masterpieces. Recommended staple tracks.
Funky Vibes — The Past and Present of Funk Music (91–100)
You Dropped A Bomb On MeThe Gap Band
A shining hit in the history of funk burst onto the scene in 1982 courtesy of The Gap Band.
Distinguished by its bomb-drop sound effects and synth tones, the song’s lyrics memorably liken the shock of romance to an explosion.
Featured on the album Gap Band IV, it reached No.
2 on Billboard’s R&B chart.
In 2004, it also appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, captivating countless listeners.
It’s the perfect track for igniting the dance floor or channeling the pain of heartbreak.
With The Gap Band’s soulful vocals, you can fully savor the essence of funk—be sure to experience this classic for yourself.
Got to Get DownAnalog Son
This is a track called “Got to Get Down” by Analog Son, a funk band from Colorado in the United States.
From the moment you hear it, you can tell it’s a sound that pays respect to James Brown—irresistible for funk fans.
Analog Son covers everything from foundational funk sounds to jazz and fusion styles, so be sure to check them out!
Someday We’ll Get ByAzteca
Azteca, a band that helped shape Bay Area funk.
This made me realize that funk isn’t just groove built from looped phrases—it’s music where various instruments can sing pleasantly.
It’s the kind of music I’d love to listen to by the sea on a southern island, lounging under a beach umbrella.
You Are The First, My Last, My EverythingBarry White
It’s a vocal-driven track without sticky rhythms, yet it conveys the warm vibe of funk.
The artist is a singer-songwriter and producer who helped shape the prototypes of funk and disco music—an essential listen when exploring the roots of funk.
Use meBill Withers
This song by Bill Withers, the singer also famous for “Lovely Day,” was released in the 1970s.
It later became well known when artists such as the British rock singer Mick Jagger covered it in the 1990s.
It remains a funk classic loved across generations.
Take Me There (ft. Nicole Willis)Bosq
Bosq is a band I recommend to anyone who loves disco-funk! Just listening will get you grooving—the driving dance beats are irresistible.
The guitar’s choppy rhythm has a Nile Rodgers feel, and you can sense their love for disco-funk in the sound.
At the same time, there’s a modern vibe, so it’s a band I can recommend to all funk fans.
DazzBrick
Blending disco, jazz, and funk, this track is a truly unique piece.
Released in the late 1970s, it climbed to the top of the charts.
The song is also famous for having influenced many other artists.