[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!
- Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
- A masterpiece of soul music. Recommended albums you should listen to at least once.
- A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums—from staples to the latest releases
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
- [2026] Must-Listen R&B Masterpieces: From Timeless Classics to Recent Favorites
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- Dance music in Japanese (J-pop) that people in their 50s used to listen to. Nostalgic classic hits.
- Philly soul classics | A wave of sweet soul music arrives
- Recommended Japanese funk bands. Funky Japanese artists.
- Dance music recommended by dancers for people in their 20s: A collection of popular tracks
- Recommended dance tracks. Classic dance music.
- Today's R&B: A curated playlist packed with classic hits!
- A masterpiece by ORIGINAL LOVE. A popular song that shines with a cool, stylish mood.
[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums You Should Hear at Least Once [Beginners] (61–70)
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.
Higher GroundStevie Wonder
A funk song from the 1973 album Innervisions.
It reached No.
1 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart.
The album version of the song is 30 seconds longer than the single version and includes additional lyrics.
It’s also known for being covered by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Tears At The End Of A Love AffairTammi Terrell
She was a female singer on the Motown label who passed away at the young age of 24.
Her death came just as she was gaining attention as Marvin Gaye’s duet partner and beginning to establish herself as a rising star.
Although she released only one solo album, I’d like to introduce a two-disc compilation that lets you fully appreciate her outstanding work.
In addition to her well-known Motown-era songs, it includes rare early recordings from her debut and live tracks—a high-quality collection packed with her charm.
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.