The Best Funk and Disco Albums
From P-Funk grooves to the disco dancefloor — the records that made the world move.
Reviewed by Callum Ashworth, 247 Album Verdict · Last updated · How we rank
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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
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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
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6CymandeCymande
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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
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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
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14I AmEarth, Wind & Fire
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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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16Street SongsRick James
Street Songs
A blockbuster funk peak, home to 'Super Freak' and 'Give It to Me Baby'. Slick and huge. His finest.
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17ZappZapp
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18Gap Band IVThe Gap Band
Gap Band IV
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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19Word Up!Cameo
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20Straight from the HeartPatrice Rushen
Straight from the Heart
A polished funk-soul peak, home to the much-sampled 'Forget Me Nots'. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.
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21I 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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22Bad GirlsDonna Summer
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23We Are FamilySister Sledge
We Are Family
A Chic-produced disco peak, home to its euphoric, eternal title anthem. Joyful and huge. A genre classic.
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24DianaDiana Ross
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25NightclubbingGrace Jones
Nightclubbing
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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26Love TracksGloria Gaynor
Love Tracks
The album that gave the world I Will Survive — and still holds up beyond that one inescapable track.
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27Celebrate!Kool & the Gang
Celebrate!
Celebration and the band at their most commercially accessible — four-on-the-floor and irresistible.
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28Step IISylvester
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29Disco InfernoThe Trammps
Disco Inferno
Twelve minutes of escalating intensity built around one of the genre's most enduring grooves.
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30Look-Ka Py PyThe Meters