The Best Funk and Disco Albums of the 1980s

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1. 1
   Street SongsRick James

   Street Songs

   Rick James · 1981 · Funk & Disco

   A blockbuster funk peak, home to 'Super Freak' and 'Give It to Me Baby'. Slick and huge. His finest.

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2. 2
   ZappZapp

   Zapp

   Zapp · 1980 · Funk & Disco

   Roger Troutman's talk-box funk debut, home to 'More Bounce to the Ounce'. Influential and beloved. An electro-funk cornerstone.

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3. 3
   Gap Band IVThe Gap Band

   Gap Band IV

   The Gap Band · 1982 · Funk & Disco

   A peak of bouncy, synth-driven funk, home to 'You Dropped a Bomb on Me' and 'Early in the Morning'. Fun and huge. A genre high point.

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4. 4
   Word Up!Cameo

   Word Up!

   Cameo · 1986 · Funk & Disco

   A sleek, synth-funk peak built around its irresistible title hit. Sharp and beloved. A commercial high.

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5. 5
   Straight from the HeartPatrice Rushen

   Straight from the Heart

   Patrice Rushen · 1982 · Funk & Disco

   A polished funk-soul peak, home to the much-sampled 'Forget Me Nots'. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.

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6. 6
   DianaDiana Ross

   Diana

   Diana Ross · 1980 · Funk & Disco

   A sleek Chic-produced peak, home to 'Upside Down' and 'I'm Coming Out'. Polished and huge. Her commercial high.

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7. 7
   NightclubbingGrace Jones

   Nightclubbing

   Grace Jones · 1981 · Funk & Disco

   A cool, reggae-and-new-wave-tinged art-disco peak, home to 'Pull Up to the Bumper'. Striking and acclaimed. Her finest.

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8. 8
   Celebrate!Kool & the Gang

   Celebrate!

   Kool & the Gang · 1980 · Funk & Disco

   Celebration and the band at their most commercially accessible — four-on-the-floor and irresistible.

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