Often overlooked among the most influential and foundational subgenres within the rock and pop landscape that we know today, funk rock was an incredibly cohesive and creative world in the 1960s and 1970s.
Cultivated by genres that included elements of blues, jazz, soul, and funk, funk and funk rock influenced music legends such as David Bowie, Prince, Lenny Kravitz, and Queen.
What made funk rock such an exciting movement during this period was its willingness to experiment and push beyond the traditional genre boundaries.
Five greatest funk rock albums that helped shape modern music
From psychedelic guitar-driven instrumentation to groovy basslines, socially conscious songwriting, and unconventional arrangements, the genre became an outlet for musical experimentation and artistic individuality.
1. Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Few funk rock albums have the enduring classic status of Funkadelic's heralded 1971 project, Maggot Brain. The group vocals, legendary bass grooves, and soulful songwriting made Maggot Brain the classic album that has inspired so many different artists in different genres over the last five decades.
On tracks like the title track and "Super Stupid," Eddie Hazel's legendary guitar sets the tone for some of the most beautiful guitar performances across the album's tracklist.
Funkadelic's influence remains very apparent in the rock and funk scenes today. The way that Funkadelic combined the rhythmic foundations of funk music with the intensity and in-your-face aspects of psychedelic rock helped to form the sound of rock that would influence the landscape for decades in the future, along with other genres like R&B and hip hop.
2. Stand! by Sly & the Family Stone
The ability to combine a genre-bending blend of funk, rock, soul, gospel, and psychedelic music while keeping to the band's rebellious and socially conscious messaging is what really separated this album from its peers for Sly & the Family Stone.
Songs like "Stand!" and "Sing a Simple Song" show off the incredible gospel and soul-inspired vocals, blended guitars, and groovy basslines.
This album doesn't stay constrained to just one genre or one message either. Stand! is a multi-layered album with many thought-provoking and social elements. The record's musical experimentation and socially conscious songwriting show just how ahead of its time it was for the late 1960s.
Stand! brought together the psychedelic experimentation of the late 1960s with hard-hitting funk rhythms and some of the most infectious songwriting of its era.
3. Station to Station by David Bowie
While Station to Station isn't necessarily a traditional funk rock album, David Bowie's 1976 masterpiece demonstrates how far the genre's influence extends beyond its regular boundaries. Combining elements of funk, soul, and experimental art rock, Bowie crafted one of the most distinctive and consistently enjoyable albums of his career.
The album's title track and "Stay" showcase Bowie's ability to incorporate funk-inspired guitar passages and driving rhythms into his increasingly experimental art rock sound. Instead of just following traditional funk-rock conventions and standards, Bowie utilized the genre's rhythmic foundations to create something more atmospheric and unorthodox.
This is personally one of my favorite David Bowie records in his entire discography.
4. They Say I'm Different by Betty Davis
Of her three lauded albums from the early-to-mid 1970s, the funkiest and maybe the most consistent is 1974's They Say I'm Different. "He Was a Big Freak" and "They Say I'm Different" highlight the album's confident, guitar-driven funk instrumentation and unapologetic vocal delivery.
At the time, Davis' bold vocal delivery and rebellious message pushed against the grain and defied expectations for female artists and performers in funk, blues, and rock of that era.
The versatility and range that Davis showed on her three different albums from the 1970s are truly remarkable. From funk rock and blues to soul, Davis brought something new and inspiring to each chapter of her 1970s discography.
5. Afreaka! by Demon Fuzz
This is one of the funkiest and most creative albums that came out across multiple different rock and blues subgenres in the early-to-mid 1970s. The elements of jazz, soul, funk, and even ska music coalesce into a very memorable and dynamic soundscape.
From the groovy basslines to the different complex layers to peel through like an onion throughout the album's tracklist, this is a must-listen for any fan of blues rock and funk rock.
Formed in Great Britain, Demon Fuzz drew from a wider range of musical influences, combining American funk and soul with psychedelic rock, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean inspirations to create a sound that stood apart from many of their contemporaries.
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