Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
Funk music, a genre that was hugely popular in the 1970s.
Although funk lost momentum from the 1980s as genres like blue-eyed soul, house, and synth-pop rose to prominence, in recent years the 1970s sound has been rediscovered—thanks in large part to Bruno Mars—and the genre is once again drawing attention.
This time, I’d like to introduce some legendary bands that laid the foundation for funk music.
Just by looking at an overview of these bands, you’ll get a sense of funk’s history, so beginners are encouraged to read to the end!
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
- Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music
- [Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
- Western songs with cool bass lines: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- A classic R&B masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
- A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums—from staples to the latest releases
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- Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces
- R&B Masterpieces in Western Music: From the Latest Hits to Timeless Classics [2025]
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces of 70s Disco Music
- [Western Music] Cool Three-Piece Bands: Recommended Trios Roundup [2025]
- Summary of representative Western funk artists and groups
Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands (1–10)
Papa’s Got A Brand New BagThe Famous Flames
The Famous Flames were a band active from the 1950s through the 1960s.
They’re often thought of as a funk band, but in fact they primarily focused on R&B and soul, and only began delving into funk music after they started performing with James Brown.
For that reason, their playing has a stylish quality not usually found in typical funk bands, and it will likely feel fresh to first-time listeners.
They’re a band you’ll inevitably encounter when exploring the history of funk music, so be sure to check them out.
FireOhio Players
The Ohio Players were a funk band active from the 1960s through the 2000s.
There’s a subgenre of funk called Ohio funk, and they were one of its leading bands, energizing the funk scene for many years.
Because many of their tracks are so striking, major rappers like N.
W.
A and The Notorious B.
I.
G.
have sampled their music.
CoolThe Time
A song by The Time, featuring Minneapolis musician Morris Day, and Jesse Johnson, Jimmy “Jam” Harris, and Terry Lewis.
It is said to be a quintessential example of the “Minneapolis Sound” that gained popularity from the mid- to late 1980s.
The band disbanded shortly after the song was released.
Recommended Western funk bands: Popular international bands (11–20)
Low RiderWar
War is an American funk band formed around Eric Burdon of The Animals, the psychedelic rock band that gained popularity in the UK.
While they may not be among the most famous funk bands, their achievements are significant.
The works they created—blending Latin, soul, funk, R&B, ska, jazz, rock, and reggae into funk music—have had a major impact on today’s funk scene.
Stomp!The Brothers Johnson
The Brothers Johnson were a funk band formed around the Johnson brothers, George Johnson and Louis Johnson.
They were active from the 1970s, took a hiatus at one point, and continued to thrive in the funk scene until 2015.
Their greatest appeal lies in their sophisticated musicality, blending funk music with R&B into a cohesive style.
If you enjoy catchy, stylish phrases, be sure to check them out.
I Can Make You DanceZapp
Zapp is a funk band formed around the Troutman brothers—Lester, Larry, and Terry.
Strongly rooted in R&B, their distinctive use of the talk box influenced contemporary artists such as Bruno Mars.
To put their musical style in a word, it’s quintessential “black music,” with every track distilled into highly soulful expression.
If you love Black music, you’ll find countless irresistible phrases throughout their songs—definitely check them out.
Let It WhipDazz Band
A band known to those in the know: the Dazz Band.
Their name “Dazz” is said to be an abbreviation of “danceable jazz,” and as that origin suggests, they’re known for a style that mixes funk and disco music on a jazz foundation.
Because their sound makes extensive use of synthesizers, it notably resembles the style of Earth, Wind & Fire.
You could think of them as a jazz-funk version of Earth, Wind & Fire.