Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music
Even if you don’t actually listen to funk as a music genre, many people unconsciously use the adjective “funky,” don’t they?
As a word that’s already woven into everyday life, what kind of image do you all have of “funk”?
Funk, whose prototype is said to have emerged in the 1960s, has continued to be loved into the 2020s, evolving in form and powering countless hit songs.
This time, we’ll bring you a wide array of classics—from foundational funk essentials to disco, mellow groove, and contemporary funk.
You just might encounter the destined masterpiece that awakens the funkiness sleeping inside you!
- Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
- Recommended Japanese funk bands. Funky Japanese artists.
- [Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
- Why Classic Disco Music Is Still Loved Today
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- Summary of representative Western funk artists and groups
- A classic jazz-funk masterpiece. A popular recommended track that offers a different flavor from traditional jazz.
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces of 70s Disco Music
- Dance music in Japanese (J-pop) that people in their 50s used to listen to. Nostalgic classic hits.
- [Japanese R&B] Notable Classics & New Tracks, Representative Songs of Japanese R&B
- Relive those feelings from back in the day! Youth anthems recommended for the Yutori generation
- A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums—from staples to the latest releases
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music (’81–’90)
What Is Hip?Tower Of Power
This song is Tower of Power’s signature track and a piece that should be called a landmark of funk music.
Released in May 1973, it features a distinctive sound that brilliantly fuses funk, R&B, and soul, and it played a major role in propelling the band onto the international stage.
With a catchy melody and an infectious groove, the lyrics strikingly question the essence of being “hip” and the changing tides of trends.
Drummer David Garibaldi’s polyrhythmic beats and his exquisite interplay with bassist Rocco Prestia form the core of the track.
In recent years, it was featured in the popular Netflix series The Umbrella Academy, bringing in a new generation of fans.
The Great DivideMayer Hawthorne
This is a song called “The Great Divide” by Mayer Hawthorne, a singer-songwriter who won a Grammy in 2013.
Its relaxed tempo and soulful vocals are incredibly sensual.
It’s a richly atmospheric track that combines both languidness and romance.
FunkentownSlave
Slave is also a funk band from Ohio.
They are known for performing a Parliament-like style of funk with a large lineup, highlighted by Mark Adams’s slapping bass and a tight rhythm section.
“Funkentown” is one of their signature tracks.
Freakshow On The Dance FloorThe Bar-Kays
The Bar-Kays were also one of the bands that drove the disco-tinged funk of the 1980s.
However, their debut dates back to the 1960s, making them sometimes called the oldest funk band.
This is a track they made a hit after their comeback.
Got to Get DownAnalog Son
This is a track called “Got to Get Down” by Analog Son, a funk band from Colorado in the United States.
From the moment you hear it, you can tell it’s a sound that pays respect to James Brown—irresistible for funk fans.
Analog Son covers everything from foundational funk sounds to jazz and fusion styles, so be sure to check them out!
Someday We’ll Get ByAzteca
Azteca, a band that helped shape Bay Area funk.
This made me realize that funk isn’t just groove built from looped phrases—it’s music where various instruments can sing pleasantly.
It’s the kind of music I’d love to listen to by the sea on a southern island, lounging under a beach umbrella.
Funky Vibes — The Past and Present of Funk Music (91–100)
You Are The First, My Last, My EverythingBarry White
It’s a vocal-driven track without sticky rhythms, yet it conveys the warm vibe of funk.
The artist is a singer-songwriter and producer who helped shape the prototypes of funk and disco music—an essential listen when exploring the roots of funk.