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 Feelings: The Past and Present of Funk Music (’71–’80)
so ruff, so tuffzapp and roger
These are the songs said to have influenced “Uptown Funk.” They feature big handclap sounds, a thick, undulating synth bass, and vocals processed with effects.
A sticky, elastic groove is a hallmark of Zapp, and here it blends perfectly with synthesizers and their signature sound, resulting in a standout hit in the electro-funk genre.
Pick Up The PiecesAverage White Band
A funky track released in 1974 by Average White Band.
It reached No.
5 on the U.S.
charts.
Frequently used at sporting events, it has been sampled in many tracks, including Nasty’s 1990 track of the same name.
Super StupidFunkadelic
It’s another song by a P-Funk-affiliated group.
While rooted in funk, most of their tracks put rock front and center, and this one in particular has a vibe from the intro that calls Jimi Hendrix to mind.
It’s been described as a group with “multiple Jimis,” and the result is a gritty, deep-dyed funk rock sound.
Flash LightParliament
It’s a large funk group known as so-called P-Funk.
This track, released in ’77, is said to be the first in the world to use a synthesizer as the bass.
Its squishy, very psychedelic vibe fits funk perfectly.
They’re an essential group when talking about late-’70s Black music.
High On YouSly Stone
Sly Stone, who was the leader of Sly & The Family Stone, continued to thrive as a solo artist after the band broke up.
He created a variety of music, including introspective Black music, but this track is famous as a funk number.