What makes 20 Jazz Funk Greats by Throbbing Gristle notable?

This album is notable for its influence on the post-punk movement and the development of genres like industrial and electronic music. It received critical acclaim upon release, being cited as one of the essential records of its time, and has been included in numerous best-of lists that highlight its cultural significance. By the time '20 Jazz Funk Greats' was released in December 1979, Throbbing Gristle had established themselves as pioneers of industrial music with their previous albums, notably 'Second Annual Report'. This album marked a significant departure from their earlier confrontational sound, showcasing a more experimental and accessible approach while still retaining their avant-garde roots.

Who is 20 Jazz Funk Greats for?

20 Jazz Funk Greats works well if you're into dynamic exploration of themes, wave-like pacing experience and immersive listening sessions.

How many songs are on 20 Jazz Funk Greats?

20 Jazz Funk Greats has 13 tracks, running approximately 61 minutes.

20 Jazz Funk Greats

Throbbing Gristle · 1979

61 min · 13 tracks · industrial music

A radical blend of industrial noise and funk grooves that challenges musical conventions and subverts expectations.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hot on the Heels of Love — This track exemplifies the album's unique blend of rhythmic funk and dissonant soundscapes, creating an infectious groove that contrasts sharply with the group's earlier work.
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Convincing People — The song's repetitive structure and hypnotic bassline blur the lines between seduction and manipulation, making it a provocative exploration of social dynamics.
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Discipline (Berlin) — This extended piece showcases Throbbing Gristle's ability to build atmosphere through minimalist repetition, reflecting their innovative approach to composition and sound design.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's radical approach to structure and sound makes it a distinctive entry in industrial music.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that blends spoken word and rhythmic elements, setting an experimental tone.
Several tracks feature unconventional song structures, often eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of repetitive motifs.
The use of dissonant sounds and samples creates a stark contrast to the underlying funk grooves, challenging listener expectations.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic exploration of themes
wave-like pacing experience
immersive listening sessions
provocative sonic landscapes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Notable for its influence on post-punk and industrial music, showcasing artistic ambition.
Career context: By the time '20 Jazz Funk Greats' was released in December 1979, Throbbing Gristle had established themselves as pioneers of industrial music with their previous albums, notably 'Second Annual Report'. This album marked a significant departure from their earlier confrontational sound, showcasing a more experimental and accessible approach while still retaining their avant-garde roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Cabaret Voltaire· Skinny Puppy· SPK