The albums that define
jazz-funk.
Our picks for where to start with jazz-funk — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top jazz-funk artists
Start with one of these.
The jazz-funk essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Herbie Hancock
Takin' Off
A vibrant blend of hard bop and rhythmic grooves, showcasing Hancock's inventive piano work and catchy melodies.
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Herbie Hancock
Butterfly
A seamless blend of jazz-funk grooves and soulful melodies, inviting listeners to a lush auditory landscape.
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Jamiroquai
Automaton
A vibrant fusion of funk and electronic elements that reflects a futuristic soundscape.
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Jamiroquai
A Funk Odyssey
A vibrant fusion of funky grooves and danceable beats that encapsulates early 2000s pop sensibilities.
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Ramsey Lewis
Barefoot Sunday Blues
A vibrant blend of jazz and blues with soulful melodies and rhythmic grooves that invite listeners to unwind.
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Ramsey Lewis
Dancing in the Street
A vibrant fusion of jazz and pop, blending infectious grooves with rich melodic textures.
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Ray Parker Jr.
Two Places at the Same Time
A vibrant blend of jazz-funk grooves and soulful R&B that invites listeners to dance and celebrate life.
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Ray Parker Jr.
A Woman Needs Love
Smooth grooves blend with heartfelt lyrics, creating a quintessential early '80s R&B experience.
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Weather Report
Heavy Weather
A vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and rock that showcases intricate musicianship and improvisation.
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Weather Report
8:30
A vibrant fusion of complex rhythms and melodic improvisation that redefines jazz boundaries.
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Masayoshi Takanaka
Brasilian Skies
A vibrant blend of jazz-funk and city pop, infused with Brazilian rhythms and lush instrumental textures.
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Masayoshi Takanaka
Seychelles
A vibrant fusion of jazz-funk and city pop, enveloped in tropical rhythms and sun-soaked melodies.
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Level 42
Staring at the Sun
A vibrant blend of jazz-funk grooves and new wave synths with soaring pop melodies.
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Level 42
Retroglide
A seamless blend of smooth jazz-funk grooves and atmospheric pop melodies infused with reflective lyrics.
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Jaco Pastorius
Jaco
A groundbreaking fusion of jazz complexity and funk groove, showcasing innovative bass techniques and electrifying improvisation.
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Jaco Pastorius
Word of Mouth
An intricate fusion of jazz and funk, showcasing virtuosic bass lines and innovative compositions.
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Roy Ayers
Africa, Center of the World
A soulful blend of jazz-funk and African rhythms that celebrates heritage and unity.
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Roy Ayers
Vibrations
A vibrant blend of jazz-funk grooves and soulful melodies that invites listeners to dance and reflect.
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Tom Scott
The Honeysuckle Breeze
A smooth fusion of jazz and pop that captures the sun-soaked essence of California in the late 1960s.
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Tom Scott
Rural Still Life
A vibrant fusion of West Coast jazz and blues, characterized by intricate melodies and innovative improvisation.
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Jimmy Smith
Organ Grinder Swing
A vibrant blend of jazz organ grooves and soulful rhythms creating an infectious dance atmosphere.
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Jimmy Smith
Plain Talk
A vibrant blend of soulful jazz grooves and intricate organ melodies that invites both dancing and deep listening.
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