The 14 Best Funk Albums of All Time

Deep grooves, slap bass, and horn-driven workouts that range from psychedelic excursions to dancefloor-ready anthems. Which record lays down the heaviest groove? Cast your vote!

1

Mothership Connection

Parliament's 1975 Afrofuturist masterpiece that defined P-Funk.

1000pts

2

Maggot Brain

Funkadelic's 1971 psychedelic-funk landmark anchored by an epic guitar elegy.

937pts

3

The Payback

James Brown's 1973 double album of deep, relentless funk grooves.

778pts

4

One Nation Under a Groove

Funkadelic's 1978 anthem-driven funk milestone.

733pts

5

Fire

Ohio Players' 1974 funk hit album led by its smoldering title track.

681pts

6

Word Up!

Cameo's 1986 electro-funk smash defined by its iconic title single.

681pts

7

There's a Riot Goin' On

Sly and the Family Stone's dark, groundbreaking 1971 funk-soul record.

619pts

8

Hot Buttered Soul

Isaac Hayes' 1969 sprawling, orchestral soul-funk statement.

619pts

9

Superfly

Curtis Mayfield's gritty 1972 soundtrack and socially conscious funk classic.

545pts

10

Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band

Bootsy Collins' 1976 debut of irresistible space-bass funk.

545pts

11

Head Hunters

Herbie Hancock's 1973 jazz-funk fusion blockbuster led by 'Chameleon'.

545pts

12

Stand!

Sly and the Family Stone's optimistic, genre-blending 1969 breakthrough.

545pts

13

Fresh

Sly and the Family Stone's 1973 record with the influential groove of 'In Time'.

454pts

14

Street Songs

Rick James' 1981 commercial peak featuring 'Super Freak'.

454pts