Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
Funk music, a genre that was hugely popular in the 1970s.
Although funk lost momentum from the 1980s as genres like blue-eyed soul, house, and synth-pop rose to prominence, in recent years the 1970s sound has been rediscovered—thanks in large part to Bruno Mars—and the genre is once again drawing attention.
This time, I’d like to introduce some legendary bands that laid the foundation for funk music.
Just by looking at an overview of these bands, you’ll get a sense of funk’s history, so beginners are encouraged to read to the end!
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
- Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music
- [Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
- Western songs with cool bass lines: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums—from staples to the latest releases
- [2026] Must-Listen R&B Masterpieces: From Timeless Classics to Recent Favorites
- A masterpiece of soul music. Recommended albums you should listen to at least once.
- Packed with slap groove vibes! A collection of songs with cool bass
- Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces of 70s Disco Music
- [Western Music] Cool Three-Piece Bands: Recommended Trios Roundup [2026]
Recommended Western funk bands: Popular international bands (11–20)
Stomp!The Brothers Johnson
The Brothers Johnson were a funk band formed around the Johnson brothers, George Johnson and Louis Johnson.
They were active from the 1970s, took a hiatus at one point, and continued to thrive in the funk scene until 2015.
Their greatest appeal lies in their sophisticated musicality, blending funk music with R&B into a cohesive style.
If you enjoy catchy, stylish phrases, be sure to check them out.
Low RiderWar
War is an American funk band formed around Eric Burdon of The Animals, the psychedelic rock band that gained popularity in the UK.
While they may not be among the most famous funk bands, their achievements are significant.
The works they created—blending Latin, soul, funk, R&B, ska, jazz, rock, and reggae into funk music—have had a major impact on today’s funk scene.
I Can Make You DanceZapp
Zapp is a funk band formed around the Troutman brothers—Lester, Larry, and Terry.
Strongly rooted in R&B, their distinctive use of the talk box influenced contemporary artists such as Bruno Mars.
To put their musical style in a word, it’s quintessential “black music,” with every track distilled into highly soulful expression.
If you love Black music, you’ll find countless irresistible phrases throughout their songs—definitely check them out.
We Don’t Wanna Sit Down, We Wanna Get DownBrick
If you’re looking for a cool, classy funk band, Brick is highly recommended.
They’re one of the most famous jazz-funk bands, and their origin story is interesting—they were formed by merging two groups.
One was a funk band and the other a jazz band, so once they began performing as Brick, their sound shifted to focus on jazz-funk.
They have many stylish, sophisticated tracks, so if you like that kind of vibe, definitely give them a listen.
RollThe Internet
This time, many long-established funk bands made the ranking, but I’d like to introduce a rising star here.
The Internet, a group from Los Angeles, is a highly skilled band adept at a wide range of genres—trip-hop, funk, R&B, and jazz.
While they may not be widely known, they’ve received very high praise from many critics.
If you want to know what’s at the cutting edge of funk music, be sure to give them a listen.