Best Funk
Updated DailyNo tags available
Rankings use category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, and recency. Affiliate relationships do not affect scores.
Star Time is a 1991 box set chronicling the music of American singer James Brown across 71 tracks. The compilation presents his career chronologically from 1956 to 1984, covering his evolution from rhythm and blues to funk. The collection includes hit singles, alternate takes, and previously unrelea...
Released in 1984, Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by Prince and the first to feature his backing band, the Revolution. It served as the soundtrack to the rock musical film of the same name and blends elements of pop, rock, R&B, and funk. The album spent 24 consecutive weeks at number one on th...
Herbie Hancock is a highly influential jazz musician recognized for his pioneering work across multiple genres. He began as a pianist with Miles Davis in the 1960s and achieved significant success through innovative fusion albums like *Head Hunters* (1973). His diverse musical explorations, blending...
James Brown’s “20 All-Time Greatest Hits” is a collection of recordings from the iconic American soul singer. The album showcases his signature rhythmic style and influential contributions to funk music. It includes many of Brown's most popular singles which solidified his position as a foundational...
Risque is the third studio album by the American disco band Chic, released in 1979 on Atlantic Records. Produced by band members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the album continued the group's commercial success during the peak of the disco era. Its standout track, "Good Times," features a promine...
C'est Chic is the second studio album by the American R&B band Chic, released in 1978. Produced by the group's core duo, guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards, the record solidified the band's status in the mainstream disco movement. The album features "Le Freak," which became a massive...
James Brown was an American singer, musician, and bandleader whose career spanned over five decades. Often credited as a primary developer of funk music, his bands pioneered complex, syncopated rhythms built heavily around the bass and drums. Live albums like 'Live at the Apollo' (1963) captured his...
Prince Rogers Nelson, known professionally as Prince, was an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Integrating funk, dance, rock, and pop, he released the critically and commercially successful soundtrack album 'Purple Rain' in 1984 alon...
Prince’s “Purple Rain” is a landmark song blending rock, funk, soul, and theatrical elements. Released in 1984, it features a celebrated guitar solo and Prince's distinctive vocals exploring themes of love and loss. The track’s epic scale and emotional depth have made it an iconic piece within popul...
Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the American funk and soul band Sly and the Family Stone, released in 1970 by Epic Records. It collects previously released hit singles from the band's late 1960s albums, including tracks like 'Everyday People' and 'I Want to Take You Higher.' The record achie...
Fear of Music is the third studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads, released in 1979 on Sire Records. The album was co-produced by the band and British producer Brian Eno, resulting in a sound that blends tense, rhythmic art-funk with African polyrhythms and early post-punk aesthetics....
'What's Going On' is a landmark album and title track that addressed pressing social issues of the time, including war, poverty, and environmental degradation. Gayes soulful vocals and innovative production created a powerful message of peace and understanding. The song remains remarkably relevant t...
We Are Family is the third studio album by the American vocal group Sister Sledge, released in 1979. The record was written and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of the band Chic, who crafted a polished blend of R&B, funk, and disco. The album features the iconic title track, which became...
Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light” is a seminal 1980 album blending funk, experimental music, and avant-garde pop. The record's intricate polyrhythms and remarkably layered production established it as a hugely influential work within the new wave genre. It’s particularly notable for its challenging r...
Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity” is a groundbreaking 1993 music video celebrated for its innovative use of computer-generated imagery and live action. The video seamlessly blends a real band performance with surreal digital landscapes, creating a visually arresting experience. It's notable for pionee...
More Songs About Buildings and Food is the second studio album by American band Talking Heads, released in July 1978 on Sire Records. It was the first of three albums the band recorded with producer Brian Eno and marked a shift toward tighter, groove-oriented arrangements. The album includes a cover...
Random Access Memories is the fourth studio album by French electronic duo Daft Punk, released in 2013. The album represents a departure from their previous heavily sampled production style, emphasizing live instrumentation, extensive session musicians, and classic analog recording techniques. It fe...
Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” music video is a landmark achievement in popular music filmmaking. Its innovative use of editing techniques, particularly the recurring slow-motion sequences, dramatically shaped MTV's visual style and influenced countless subsequent videos. The narrative, centered ar...
Prince's 'Sign o' the Times' is a sprawling and ambitious exploration of social and political issues. The album's innovative production, eclectic mix of genres, and Prince's signature vocal style created a unique and unforgettable listening experience. 'Sign o' the Times' remains a testament to Prin...
Sly & The Family Stone’s Greatest Hits is a collection of iconic recordings from the influential American band. Featuring tracks like “Everyday People” and “Thank You,” it showcases their groundbreaking fusion of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic elements. This compilation offers a vital introductio...
Curtis Mayfield was an American soul, funk, and rhythm and blues singer-songwriter who began his career as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the vocal group The Impressions. He transitioned to a highly successful solo career in 1970, releasing records that incorporated strong themes of social just...
The Music Man StingRay is a cornerstone of modern bass design. Known for its distinctive 'growl' and massive low-end, it features a unique humbucking pickup configuration and active electronics. It offers incredible versatility, capable of handling heavy rock with ease while remaining punchy enough...
Cannonball Adderley’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!” captures a pivotal moment in jazz history. Released in 1966, this live recording showcases Adderley's quintet at its peak. The album is notable for the unexpected success of "Mercy," a funk-infused track with Joe Zawinul featuring prominently. This work a...
Fela Kuti (1938-1997) was a Nigerian bandleader, composer, singer, saxophonist, and political activist who developed Afrobeat with drummer Tony Allen and other collaborators. His music combined West African rhythmic traditions with jazz, funk, extended instrumental arrangements, and forceful vocals....
Fela Kuti’s “Zombie” is a landmark 1977 world music album originating from Nigeria. The record powerfully criticizes corruption within the Nigerian military and broader societal issues through its distinctive afrobeat sound. It's notable for its politically charged lyrics and influential impact on s...
This album cemented Outkast's status as genre innovators. It masterfully blends Southern rap swagger with psychedelic, experimental, and soulful elements. André 30 Model and Big Boi showcase unparalleled lyrical dexterity while the production feels both nostalgic and futuristic. Its a sprawling, joy...
Earth, Wind & Fire – Greatest Hits is a collection of iconic recordings from the band’s peak years in the 1970s. Featuring widely recognized hits like “September” and “Let's Groove,” the album showcases their signature blend of funk, soul, and disco music. It appeals to fans of classic R&B, those in...
Jorge Ben Jor’s *Africa Brasil* (1976) represents a pivotal moment in Brazilian music. This album blends traditional samba with burgeoning funk and rock influences, creating a distinctive Afro-Brazilian soundscape. The track "Taj Mahal" became hugely influential, frequently sampled across various ge...
The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire is a 2002 double-disc compilation album released as part of Legacy Recordings' "The Essential" series. The tracklist chronicles the career of the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, featuring selections from their 1970s and 1980s studio albums. It includes prominent fu...
Sly Stone is an American musician, singer, and songwriter who is best known as the frontman for the band Sly and the Family Stone. Formed in 1966, the group was notable for its diverse racial and gender makeup during a time of significant social division in the United States. The band played a cruci...
You're in. We'll email you when new Funk entries land.