A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums—from staples to the latest releases
Even when we talk about jazz in general, there are many subgenres, and quite a few have undergone their own unique evolution.
The “jazz-funk” featured in this article, as the name suggests, incorporates funk elements into jazz.
In fact, the term really took hold from the 1980s into the 1990s.
In other words, many works were rediscovered and reevaluated by later DJs and musicians, and the genre is also highly popular as a source for samples in hip-hop.
To get to know jazz-funk, we’ve put together not only classic staples from the 1970s that you should start with, but also recent noteworthy albums that embody jazz-funk sensibilities.
Whether you’re a beginner or already have some knowledge, please take a look!
- A classic jazz-funk masterpiece. A popular recommended track that offers a different flavor from traditional jazz.
- Danceable Jazz! Classic and Recommended Albums of Acid Jazz
- [Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
- [Western Music] Classic Jazz Fusion Masterpieces: Must-Listen Recommended Albums [2025]
- Acid jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
- [Western Music] Classic jazz guitar albums: recommended records you should listen to at least once
- [2025] Classic Jazz Vocal Albums: Must-Listen Recommendations
- Hall of Jazz: Classic Blue Note Records. Recommended jazz albums.
- Must-know standards for joining a jazz-funk session
- A prestigious acid jazz band from overseas. Iconic songs originating from the UK.
- [Western Music] Must-Know: A Roundup of Popular Overseas Fusion Bands
- Recommended for rock fans too! — A classic album of modern blues
- Summary of representative Western funk artists and groups
Compilation of Classic Western Jazz-Funk Albums: From Standards to the Latest Releases (1–10)
You & MusicDonald Byrd
Trumpeter Donald Byrd gained popularity for his musical style rooted in jazz and funk, infused with elements of soul and R&B.
His songs are stylish yet catchy, and he’s extremely popular in Japan as well.
The album I’d recommend as one of his masterpieces is Places and Spaces.
Released on Blue Note in 1975, it’s a work that evokes sophisticated, smooth neo-funk, featuring expansive string arrangements and sensual rhythm guitar.
School DaysStanley Clarke
School Days is a landmark jazz-fusion album, renowned for its innovative sound that pushed the boundaries of the electric bass.
Released in September 1976, it became a standout work in Stanley Clarke’s solo career.
The title track remains a fan favorite at Clarke’s live performances.
Transcending the confines of jazz by incorporating elements of rock and funk, the album’s richly diverse tracks liberated the bass from its role as a mere rhythm instrument and elevated it to a melodic lead.
This classic offers fresh surprises and inspiration to all music lovers, revealing something new with every listen.
Red, Black & GreenRoy Ayers Ubiquity
Roy Ayers, the pioneer who helped create jazz-funk—now a given—has had a profound impact on the global jazz scene and is known worldwide as a vibraphonist.
One of his classic albums is Red Black and Green.
Lauded as the essence of jazz-funk, its execution is stunning and has earned high praise from many critics.
In particular, the covers Ain’t No Sunshine and Day Dreaming showcase Ayers’s exceptional skill in jazz arrangement.
A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums: from staples to the latest releases (11–20)
Racetrack in FranceGil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Bridges is a classic album featuring a collaboration between Gil Scott-Heron, a spoken-word artist, and Brian Jackson, who was active as a keyboardist, flutist, and music producer.
Spoken word in Japan corresponds to narrative performance or poetry.
In many cases, poets deliver their lines in a calm, measured way, but Gil Scott-Heron specialized in a rhythm-driven style of spoken word with strong elements of singing.
This album sets that mellow spoken word against a backdrop of jazz-funk and soul.
Lift Off (feat. Rocco Palladino)Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes
Tom Misch is a singer-songwriter who represents modern UK jazz.
Many of you might know him from his collaboration with Gen Hoshino.
This album, What Kinda Music, is his collaboration with Yussef Dayes, the distinctive UK drummer.
The work defies easy genre classification, characterized by a hybrid sound that blends elements of acid jazz, psychedelia, hip-hop, and more.
Giulia Mon AmourCalibro 35
Calibro 35 is an Italian funk band that has been steadily gaining popularity since the late 2000s.
Their style is known as cinematic funk, and as the name suggests, they excel at creating funk with a film-like atmosphere.
One album of theirs I highly recommend is Traditori di Tutti.
There’s a detective novel of the same name set in Milan by Giorgio Scerbanenco, and this work draws inspiration from that book.
It’s full of dramatic, movie-like jazz-funk, so be sure to check it out.
Root Down (And Get It)Jimmy Smith
Jimmy Smith, a jazz organist who gained popularity for a musical style centered on soul jazz and hard bop.
Anyone with even a modest depth of knowledge in jazz is likely familiar with him.
Among his highly acclaimed masterpieces is the album Root Down.
Much like Miles Davis’s On the Corner, it incorporates elements of funk that were popular with young people at the time, and it’s known for its consistently youthful feel throughout.