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!
- Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
- [Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
- Why Classic Disco Music Is Still Loved Today
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- 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 Feelings — The Past and Present of Funk Music (41–50)
Get Down On ItKool and The Gang
They’re a group that reached their peak in the 1980s.
Although they went through a slump for a while, they made a comeback by adding a vocalist.
Around the time this song was released, they were in their prime, churning out pop tracks.
It was also used in commercials, so many people have probably heard it.
Funky Mood: The Past and Present of Funk Music (51–60)
Get Down On ItKool and The Gang
Kool & the Gang is an American soul and funk band.
They debuted in 1969 and were featured on the soundtrack of the film Saturday Night Fever, gaining fame as a disco-funk band.
Get Down On It is a hit number that reached No.
10 on the pop chart and No.
4 on the Black chart in 1982.
Why can’t we live togetherTimmy Thomas
It’s funk distinguished by conveying its message over a heavy, somber groove.
The track is stripped-down—just the earliest drum machine paired with a Hammond organ—yet its gritty core is undeniable.
The sharply edged organ intensifies the dark, weighty mood.
It’s a song that vividly portrays Black society in the early 1970s.
Lucky StrikeBerhana
This is a song called “Lucky Strike” by Belhanna, a singer-songwriter from Atlanta, USA.
The retro drum beats and synthesizer tones are essential elements of the currently booming city pop sound.
His soulful vocals also match the refined sound of this track perfectly!
Black catJanet Jackson
This is a single from the 1989 album Rhythm Nation.
It features distinctive drum sounds and is an intense funk rock track with powerful low-end.
By the way, please note that the ending is different between the album’s original version and the one included on the best-of compilation.
Stone RollinRaphael Saadiq
A quintessential American soul singer, Raphael Saadiq delivers a heartfelt cry of the soul that grips the listener from the first note.
This is the powerful title track from his album Stone Rollin’, which revives the classic soul sound of the 1960s through a modern lens.
It was released by Columbia Records in March 2011.
The commanding rhythm infused with blues and funk, the groovy bassline, and the weighty sonics woven by vintage Mellotron keys are truly stunning.
Meticulously crafted over the course of a year at his own studio in Los Angeles, this track is highly recommended for anyone who loves soul music.
It’s sure to satisfy listeners seeking the deeper flavors of music.
I’ll Take You ThereThe Staple Singers
This is a soul-stirring gem released in March 1972 by The Staple Singers, a gospel-soul group that epitomizes American music.
As a family band made up of a father and his children, their seamless harmonies and powerful groove captivate listeners and won’t let go.
Issued as a single from the album “Be Altitude: Respect Yourself,” the track was produced by Stax Records’ renowned Al Bell.
Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, it skillfully weaves elements of funk and gospel to convey a message yearning for a world free of racial discrimination.
It reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its breezy, body-swaying sound makes it a perfect recommendation for anyone who wishes for peace through music.