While jazz-funk had its beginnings in the '60s, the genre reached fruition in the '70s with artists like Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Harris and others who married the improvisational chops and harmonies of jazz with a funky backbeat. Labels like CTI released many classic albums ripe with incredibly tight drumming, solid, bass-heavy grooves and an infectious sound made immortal by crate-digging vinyl samplists.

Notable Artists: Lonnie Liston Smith, Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd