[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!
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[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Must-Listen Classic Albums for Beginners (71–80)
Le FreakChic
This track by Chic, who debuted in the United States as a funk band in 1977, became a classic that stirred up the late-’70s disco boom in Japan under the Japanese title “Oshare Freak.” Even now, it retains an unfading, funky vibe.
Juicy FruitMTUME
Mtume is a funk-soul group formed around James Mtume, who had performed with Miles Davis.
Featuring keyboards by Parliament-Funkadelic’s Bernie Worrell, this track became hugely popular on R&B radio stations and in nightclubs.
It has also become a staple in hip-hop sampling.
Soul FingerThe Bar-Kays
It’s striking that this debut single by The Bar-Kays opens with the intro to the well-known American nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” The crisp, staccato trumpet line really sticks in your ears, making it a song you won’t forget after a single listen.
Brick HouseThe Communards
A single released from the self-titled 1977 album “Commodores.” It has been covered by many musicians and was also used in the opening of the 1999 film “Muppets from Space.”
Please Mr. PostmanThe Marvelettes
The Marvelettes were a female vocal group representing 60s soul and doo-wop.
For many people, the first thing that comes to mind with them is their smash 1961 hit Please Mr.
Postman.
It’s a classic everyone has heard at least once, the first Motown single ever to reach No.
1 on the U.S.
charts, and it’s also famous for being covered by heavyweights like the Beatles and the Carpenters.
Only the most devoted soul-music fans might have checked out their self-titled debut album that includes this masterpiece, but it’s packed with fine tracks—like Oh I Apologize, produced by the one and only Smokey Robinson.
Low RiderWar
Produced by the American funk band War—formed around Eric Burdon, formerly of The Animals—and producer Jerry Goldstein, it was released in 1975.
It reached No.
1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
The track is notable for its flowing, memorable bass line.
I’m Every WomanChaka Khan
This is Chaka Khan’s solo debut song, following her debut as the vocalist of the funk band Rufus.
With her powerful, soulful voice, she captivated the world, and the song later became famous for being covered by the late Whitney Houston.