[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once

Funky StuffKool and The Gang

Funky Stuff

“Funky Stuff,” a signature song by the American band Kool & the Gang.

It’s a track that later became a go-to source for samples in hip-hop and is well-known as the backbone for many beats.

The album that features this song as its opening track is Wild and Peaceful, released in 1973, which is said to have sparked the group’s breakthrough.

Seamlessly fusing funk, jazz, and R&B, their style moves effortlessly from hard-hitting, gritty funk tunes to mellow numbers—a true monument of funk! Be sure to check it out.

FireOhio Players

Ohio Players – Fire • TopPop

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.

The PaybackJames Brown

James Brown – The Payback

The Payback, a signature work by legendary American artist James Brown, was originally produced as a film soundtrack and is also known as a towering landmark of funk.

The title track has been sampled countless times in later hip-hop, and its influence can be felt across a wide variety of songs.

The massive groove born from the band’s perfectly tight performance and Brown’s soul-baring shouts deliver an overwhelming impact.

Letting yourself be carried away by the flood of intricately interwoven rhythms and savoring the tension that runs through the entire piece are key ways to enjoy this album.

Immerse yourself in this music experience brimming with anger and power from the Godfather of Funk!

Maggot BrainFunkadelic

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain [HQ]

A pioneering American band essential to any discussion of soul and funk, Funkadelic created the historic masterpiece Maggot Brain.

Its eponymous title track—ten breathtaking minutes of Eddie Hazel’s guitar weeping and wailing—defines the album.

The solo, said to have been born from the instruction “Play as if your mother had just died,” leaves an unforgettable impact after a single listen.

At the same time, the album includes tracks with gospel brightness and heavy, rock-inflected numbers, giving the record a kaleidoscopic range of expressions.

Why not dive headlong into this intense yet beautiful sonic world that far surpasses the boundaries of funk?

Chicken StrutThe Meters

The Meters – Chicken Strut

The Meters, who were active in New Orleans, are a legendary band known as pioneers of funk.

Their third album, Struttin’, marked a bold shift from their previously instrumental-heavy approach by including vocal tracks for the first time.

From the R&B chart-stirring Chicken Strut onward, the uniquely New Orleans, tenacious groove runs throughout the album.

The raw performances—so vivid you can almost hear the band members breathing—and the jam session-like spontaneity make it an incredibly compelling listen.

This gritty yet comfortable sound went on to have a major influence on later hip-hop.

What Is HipTower Of Power

Tower of Power – What is Hip (Album Version)

The California-born funk band Tower of Power’s third album, Tower of Power, is renowned as the masterpiece that propelled their name around the world.

From the moment their signature, rock-solid horn section ignites “What Is Hip?”, you can’t help but start moving to the beat—it’s packed with an irresistibly powerful groove.

Over the complex, tightly locked rhythms laid down by the drums and bass, layers of horns race and weave in breathtaking fashion.

On top of that, the newly joined vocalist Lenny Williams delivers a deeply emotive performance on “So Very Hard to Go,” whose aching, heart-tugging melody resonates in stark contrast to the heat of the funk.

That LadyIsley Brothers

The Isley Brothers – That Lady, Pts. 1 & 2 (Official Audio)

Released in 1973, 3 + 3 is a landmark album from the Isley Brothers, a group with a remarkably long history dating back to the 1950s.

Originally a trio of vocal brothers, the group officially added three younger instrumentalists with this album, boldly fusing soulful vocals with elements of funk and rock.

As a result, there’s no pretension whatsoever—just a sound that’s powerful and passionate through and through.

In particular, That Lady, driven by Ernie Isley’s explosive guitar, delivers a shock that pierces straight to the depths of your heart.

Their cover of the classic Summer Breeze is also essential listening; they elevate the gentle original into an entirely new track with their signature groove.

Be sure to experience the fiery spirit of a band reborn.