[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] (41–50)
Word UpCameo
It’s a 1986 hit by the American R&B and funk band Cameo, which won the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul.
The song has been covered by many musicians, including the American metal band Korn.
Sex MachineJames Brown
Known by many nicknames and enshrined in music history as the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown—JB—left an impact on the music world that is nothing short of colossal, extending far beyond soul and funk.
His overwhelming vocal power, innovative musicality, and a larger-than-life career—so dramatic it inspired a documentary film—defy easy summary.
Here, however, we’ll highlight a live album that showcases JB’s greatest appeal: his electrifying live performances.
Sharing its title with his 1970 hit “Sex Machine,” the album was released the same year.
Centered around performances in JB’s home state of Georgia, it compiles live recordings from 1969 to 1970 and features master players such as Bootsy Collins and Maceo Parker.
It stands as a pivotal record marking the dawn of JB’s 1970s era.
Think (About It)Lyn Collins
A funk song by soul singer Lyn Collins, produced by James Brown in 1972.
The track was later sampled by numerous hip-hop and dance music artists.
Watermelon ManBernie Worrell
Bernie Worrell is a keyboardist who was a core member of George Clinton’s P-Funk and supported the funk scene for decades starting in the 1970s.
After P-Funk’s activities wound down in the 1980s, he broadened his scope by collaborating with bands and artists across genres.
His 2011 release, “STANDARDS,” is a collection of jazz standards that could be called orthodox.
Dialing back P-Funk’s innovative sound, the album incorporates acoustic piano and horn sections to express his affection for his musical roots.
ShaftIsaac Hayes
A soul-funk style theme from Isaac Hayes’s soundtrack album Shaft.
He also makes a cameo appearance in the film.
The album reached No.
1 on the Billboard chart and also won a Grammy Award.
Girl Don’t Make Me WaitBunny Sigler
Bunny Sigler is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who has been active since the 1960s.
While he supported the scene behind the scenes by providing songs to soul bands and artists in and around Philly, he released his milestone solo album, “Let the Good Times Roll & Feel So Good,” in 1967.
It’s a hidden gem packed with the youthful sensibilities of Bunny—who would later reign as a central figure of Philly soul—and just listening to it will put you in a good mood.
Philadelphia soul has developed into a genre of its own, so it’s also recommended for those interested in that history!
Do U Want ItPapa Grows Funk
A playful yet authentic funk band formed out of jam sessions hosted by leader John ‘Groove’—their groove-heavy track, played by funky veterans, evokes the 1970s and is a joy to listen to.
Japanese guitarist Jun Yamagishi is also one of the members.