The Best Funk & Disco Albums of the 1970s
Our pick of the essential funk & disco records released in the 1970s, ranked.
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1Sex MachineJames Brown
Sex Machine
A sprawling, groove-locked document of the Godfather of Soul at his rhythmic peak. Relentless and influential. A funk cornerstone.
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2FireOhio Players
Fire
A slick, horn-driven funk peak built around its chart-topping title track. Hot and beloved. A genre highlight.
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3Wild and PeacefulKool & the Gang
Wild and Peaceful
A loose, jam-heavy peak, home to 'Jungle Boogie' and 'Funky Stuff'. Joyful and beloved. A genre classic.
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4RejuvenationThe Meters
Rejuvenation
New Orleans funk at its most elastic and deep-pocketed. Greasy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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5MandrillMandrill
Mandrill
A wild fusion of funk, Latin and rock from the Brooklyn collective. Adventurous and beloved. A cult favourite.
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6CymandeCymande
Cymande
A hypnotic British blend of funk, soul and Afro-Caribbean groove, much sampled since. Deep and influential. A cult treasure.
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7Everybody Loves the SunshineRoy Ayers
Everybody Loves the Sunshine
A warm, mellow jazz-funk peak whose title track became eternal. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.
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8AWBAverage White Band
AWB
A tight, Scottish-soul funk peak, home to the instrumental 'Pick Up the Pieces'. Sharp and beloved. A genre classic.
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9Back to OaklandTower of Power
Back to Oakland
Muscular horn-funk powered by one of the genre's greatest rhythm sections. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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10Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber BandBootsy's Rubber Band
Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band
Bootsy Collins' cartoonish, deeply funky solo debut out of the P-Funk camp. Playful and beloved. A genre favourite.
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11Betty DavisBetty Davis
Betty Davis
A raw, fearless funk debut that was years ahead of its time. Bold and reappraised. A cult landmark.
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12Right on TimeThe Brothers Johnson
Right on Time
A polished, Quincy Jones-produced funk peak, home to 'Strawberry Letter 23'. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.
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13SlaveSlave
Slave
A heavy, horn-led funk debut, home to 'Slide'. Tight and beloved. A genre favourite.
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14I AmEarth, Wind & Fire
I Am
A glossy disco-funk peak, home to 'Boogie Wonderland' and 'After the Love Has Gone'. Lavish and huge. A commercial high.
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15Machine GunCommodores
Machine Gun
A punchy instrumental-funk debut whose title track became a party staple. Tight and beloved. A strong start.
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16I Remember YesterdayDonna Summer
I Remember Yesterday
A concept album whose Moroder-built closer 'I Feel Love' rewrote dance music. Bold and influential. A landmark.
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17Bad GirlsDonna Summer
Bad Girls
A blockbuster disco double album, home to its title track and 'Hot Stuff'. Lavish and huge. Her commercial peak.
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18We Are FamilySister Sledge
We Are Family
A Chic-produced disco peak, home to its euphoric, eternal title anthem. Joyful and huge. A genre classic.