[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: A Collection of Must-Listen Classic Albums for Beginners (21–30)
What Is HipTower Of Power
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.
SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire have etched their name into the history of funk music.
They produced many songs everyone has heard at least once and achieved major commercial success.
They’re hugely popular here in Japan as well.
Here, I’d like to introduce The Eternal Dance, a compilation released in 1992 that quickly covers their history.
It features many fan favorites from 1971 to 1989, including the massive hit September, which wasn’t included on their original studio albums.
It’s a great pick for newcomers too!
FantasyEarth, Wind & Fire
This song, which we often hear as a theme or insert song in numerous movies and TV dramas, is, I believe, one of Earth, Wind & Fire’s signature tracks, known in Japan as “Uchū no Fantasy” (Fantasy).
In fact, it was reportedly more popular in Japan and Europe than in the United States.
Soul Power ’74Maceo and the Macks
As a saxophonist and a central figure in P-Funk, Maceo Parker’s track was sampled by Jennifer Lopez for “Get Right,” which later became a huge hit.
The irresistibly clap-worthy rhythm is the same in the original as well.
Between The SheetsIsley Brothers
The Isley Brothers have been active for more than half a century.
Their timeless classics are still being covered and sampled by many artists today, so chances are you’ve heard their songs at least once.
Among them, I believe the masterpiece of masterpieces is Between the Sheets.