[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 (1–10)
Get Down On ItCurtis Mayfield
This is the second solo album by Curtis Mayfield, a leading figure in American soul and funk.
It’s also known as the work released the year before his later masterpiece, Super Fly.
The sound—wah-soaked guitar and vibrant rhythms bolstered by a lavish orchestra—is nothing short of breathtaking.
What’s more, it isn’t just pleasing to the ear; it carries a powerful social message.
Listen to We Got to Have Peace, where he sings “we need peace,” and you’ll feel his earnest conviction.
This fusion of funky grooves and beautiful melodies continues to inspire countless creators today.
Immerse yourself in the soul born of this era!
Body BaitSymba
No matter the genre, there are countless groups that disbanded after releasing just one album, which is exactly why the deeper you get into a genre, the more you want to dig up those obscure one-offs.
Symba’s only album, Body Bait, released in 1980 and produced by Al Johnson—a singer-songwriter and producer who’s especially popular among Japanese soul fans—is one I highly recommend for anyone who loves hidden gems.
From the title track, with its bouncing bassline, percussive rhythm track, and flashy horn section, the album is packed with high-quality songs.
Super FreakRick James
Rick James is a bassist, composer, and producer who represents the world of funk music—and he’s also known as an eccentric who led a wild, unruly life.
His fifth solo album, Street Songs, released in 1981 and certified platinum, is a work that lets you fully savor the talent that truly merits the label “genius.” Starting with massive hits like Super Freak and Give It To Me Baby—both hugely popular sampling sources—the album is packed with tracks driven by Rick’s ultra-cool, badass bass lines.
His vocals are rich with character as well, making this a masterpiece that leaves you in awe of his multifaceted talent—a classic etched into funk history.
Stretchin’ Out (In a Rubber Band)Bootsy’s Rubber Band
Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band is the debut album by the American band Bootsy’s Rubber Band, born as a spin-off from the P-Funk collective.
The groove driven by leader Bootsy Collins’s iconic “Space Bass” is unforgettable once you hear it—pure sonic bliss.
From dance numbers that get your body moving to swoon-worthy slow jams, the album’s diverse lineup is a major part of its appeal.
Why not immerse yourself in a sound world where the exuberance of funk and the heartfelt soulfulness of R&B are seamlessly fused?
FireOhio Players
The Ohio Players’ Fire, by the American funk band, is an essential masterpiece when discussing the history of funk.
It kicks off with the wail of a siren on the title track, then flips into a groove where tight drums lock in with a powerful horn section, sending the listener’s excitement soaring.
The key to fully experiencing this scorching sound is to surrender yourself to the irresistibly undulating bassline.
The album’s overwhelming intensity throughout has influenced countless artists across eras, letting you feel the power of funk with your whole body.