Best Groove

Seasons in the Abyss is Slayer's fifth studio album, released in 1990 and produced by Rick Rubin with Andy Wallace. It combines the rapid thrash-metal attack associated with Reign in Blood with the slower, heavier passages developed on South of Heaven; its best-known songs include "War Ensemble," "D...

The Meters’ 1974 album *Rejuvenation* is a cornerstone of New Orleans funk. This record showcases the band's signature instrumental style—tight rhythms, inventive basslines, and driving percussion—making it notable for its influence on subsequent generations of musicians. It’s particularly appreciat...

The Sex Machine is a 1970 live recording by James Brown featuring performances from Augusta, Georgia. This double album showcases Brown’s signature funk style and demonstrates his powerful stage presence. It's notable for containing the iconic title track, a staple of his catalog. The music appeals...

Thrust is a 1974 studio album by Herbie Hancock and the follow-up to Head Hunters, continuing his exploration of jazz-funk with the Headhunters ensemble. Its four extended compositions emphasize electric keyboards, layered percussion, bass-driven grooves, and ensemble improvisation. The album is sui...

Look-Ka Py Py is the Meters' second studio album, released by Josie Records in 1969. Largely instrumental, it centers on syncopated guitar, organ, bass, and drums arranged with the rhythmic economy associated with the band's New Orleans funk sound. The title track and "Yeah, You're Right" illustrate...

The Meters is the self-titled debut album by the New Orleans group the Meters, released on Josie Records in 1969. Mostly instrumental, it is built from Art Neville's organ, Leo Nocentelli's guitar, George Porter's bass, and Zigaboo Modeliste's drumming. Tracks including "Cissy Strut" and "Sophistica...

Live at the Sex Machine is a 1971 album by Kool & the Gang, despite its title and presentation not representing a conventional document of one complete concert. Released during the group's early period, it combines funk, soul, and jazz-oriented ensemble playing, with prominent horns, percussion, bas...

Chaos A.D. is the fifth studio album by Brazilian metal band Sepultura, released in 1993 and produced by Andy Wallace. It moved the band's sound away from the rapid thrash and death-metal approach of its earlier records toward slower, heavily syncopated grooves, while retaining aggressive vocals and...

Go for Your Guns is a 1977 studio album by the Isley Brothers, released on their T-Neck label. The record moves between hard funk, guitar-led rock, and romantic soul, with Ernie Isley's guitar, Marvin Isley's bass, and Chris Jasper's keyboards supporting the family's vocal group. It includes "The Pr...

Struttin' is the third studio album by the Meters, released by Josie Records in 1970. It continues the New Orleans quartet's compact funk style through interlocking guitar, organ, bass, and drum parts, while incorporating more vocals than their first two albums. The record includes "Chicken Strut,"...

Wild and Peaceful is a 1973 studio album by Kool & the Gang that marked the group's transition from largely instrumental jazz-funk toward more prominent vocals and broader popular success. It includes the singles Jungle Boogie and Hollywood Swinging, both of which reached the top ten of the US Billb...

The Years of Decay is the fourth studio album by New Jersey thrash metal band Overkill, released in 1989. Its songs retain the band's forceful riffing and distinctive vocals while introducing longer structures, slower passages, and broader dynamic contrasts than much of its earlier material. The alb...

Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released in 1992. It combines the band's thrash metal foundation with more concise song structures and includes tracks such as Symphony of Destruction, Sweating Bullets, and the title song, whose lyrics address...

Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by New Jersey thrash metal band Overkill, released in 1991. It was the band's first album after the departure of guitarist and songwriter Bobby Gustafson, with Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino forming the new two-guitar lineup. The record combines compact thrash s...

The Heat Is On is a 1975 studio album by the Isley Brothers, released through the group's T-Neck label. Its first side emphasizes forceful funk and includes "Fight the Power," while its second side turns toward slower, romantic soul songs such as "For the Love of You." "Fight the Power" reached numb...

AWB is the 1974 self-titled second studio album by the Average White Band, a Scottish group working in funk and soul. Produced by Arif Mardin, it includes the instrumental "Pick Up the Pieces," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The album is distinguished by tigh...

While *Purple Rain* is the epic, *1999* showcases Prince's incredible groove mastery in a slightly more contained, yet equally potent package. It features flawless musicianship and a deep pocket of funk that remains incredibly danceable. Its a perfect example of his ability to deliver raw, irresisti...

Expansions is a 1975 album by keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes. It combines electric piano, synthesizer, saxophone, bass, percussion, and vocals in spacious arrangements that connect spiritual jazz with dance-oriented funk. The title track became closely associated with jazz-fun...

Everybody Loves the Sunshine is a 1976 album credited to Roy Ayers Ubiquity and released by Polydor Records. It blends jazz-funk, soul, electric keyboards, layered vocals, and Ayers's vibraphone, with the relaxed title track becoming its most widely recognized recording. That song has been repeatedl...

Roy Hargrove was a prominent American jazz musician known for his innovative approach to trumpet playing. He blended traditional hard-bop and neo-soul styles with influences from Afro-Cuban music, as exemplified by his acclaimed Crisol project. Hargrove’s work appealed to listeners interested in con...

Ahmad Jamal’s “The Awakening” (1970) is a seminal jazz recording showcasing his innovative piano trio sound. The album's complex arrangements and subtle shifts in dynamics create a deeply immersive groove often described as soulful and expansive. It remains notable for its impact on subsequent gener...

Persistence of Time is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Anthrax, released in 1990. Its darker tone, weightier production, and themes of time, mortality, and social unease distinguish it from the band's more humorous earlier work. The album also includes Anthrax's cover of Joe Jac...

Skin Tight is a 1974 studio album by the Ohio Players and the group's first release for Mercury Records. It includes the title track, whose clipped guitar, bass groove, horns, and suggestive vocal style helped define the band's commercially successful mid-1970s sound. The album marked a major breakt...

Gojira’s “From Mars to Sirius” (2005) represents a significant achievement in French death metal. This progressive album blends complex arrangements with powerful grooves and explores environmental themes. It's notable for its atmospheric depth and technical musicianship. The record is appreciated b...

Man-Child is a 1975 album by pianist and keyboardist Herbie Hancock. It extends the electric jazz-funk direction of Head Hunters through layered synthesizers, clavinet, guitars, horns, percussion, and tightly constructed studio grooves. Its large group of contributors includes Bennie Maupin, Paul Ja...

Back to Oakland is a 1974 studio album by Tower of Power, named for the California city where the band developed its sound. The record combines funk rhythms, soul vocals, jazz-informed harmony, and dense arrangements for the group's celebrated horn section. With Lenny Williams as lead vocalist, it i...

Fire on the Bayou is the fifth studio album by the Meters, released in 1975. The New Orleans group builds the record around interlocking guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and economical vocals, preserving the syncopated rhythmic style established on its earlier instrumental work. Songs including the t...

Lovesexy is a 1988 studio album by Prince, released after he withdrew the planned Black Album. Its songs combine funk, rock, gospel, pop, and dense electronic production while framing desire and spirituality as opposing but connected forces. The original CD edition presented the entire album as a si...

Dr. Lonnie Smith is a highly respected jazz musician primarily known for his innovative use of the Hammond B-3 organ. His distinctive style blends classic soul-jazz with funk and spiritual influences creating deeply engaging grooves. He performs regularly for audiences who appreciate sophisticated i...