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Funkadelic - Hardcore Jollies One, One Nation Under A Groove, Uncle Jam Wants You & Electric Spanking of War Babies
Capitol/Priority Records
Artist: Funkadelic (www.drfunkenstein.com)
Title: Hardcore Jollies One (1976/2002), One Nation Under A Groove (1978/2002), Uncle Jam Wants You (1979/2002), Electric Spanking of War Babies (1980/2002)
Label: Capitol/Priority Records (www.hollywoodandvine.com)
Genre: Funk-Rock
George Clinton and Funkadelic (formerly Parliament) released four crucial albums over the course of four years that would change the perception of funk music forever and put black rock on the map. What Clinton and his group succeeded in doing was to gain a large crossover audience by successfully combining the two genres.
While listening to this grab bag of blues, rhythm & blues, funk, rock, and psychedelic over the last few days I came to a realization. Now I know where groups like the Ohio Players and Living Colour got all of their inspiration and influences from.
What I really appreciated about this group was their inborn talent to sound like rockers while still keeping the all of the funk elements intact. They could pump out different variations of funk and rock, or separate the two with ease. It did not matter what style you preferred, they were ready and able to keep everyone happy.
EMI Music has remastered and re-released these essential monuments to funk-rock.
 Hardcore Jollies- George Clinton and his boys dug into their bag of tricks and pulled out a movin' and grooving rockin' mix of selections on this release. They said what they meant and meant what they said when they sang "If You Got Funk, You Got Style." In addition, on the now classic "Cosmic Slop," they put together a cluster of different sounds all thrown into a one boiling musical pot and stirred it around to make their musical slop. Slop or not, it was oh so wonderful.
Michael Hampton really smoked it on guitar on this release. Moreover, this was only the beginning for the cat. He got better with each successive release. Bernie Worrell becomes a real presence on keys by literally putting the delic in the funk. The grandmaster of the funk patrol Dr.Funkenstien, Mr. George Clinton himself, was the ringmaster of the musical circus. It really was like a traditional three ring show, with all kinds of acts going on at the same time. There is chatter in the background, noises; you name it, everything including all of the wild music was found in a Funkadelic song. This approach would become the standard. The zany funksters made their mark and never turned back after this milestone recording.
 One Nation Under A Groove-The men of funk came roaring right back with another major chunk of funk on this album. "Maggot Brain," the world-renowned metaphor, came into being and took on a life of its own. The instrumental "Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!)" is a total kick ass rocker that leaves you wondering what the funk happened. Not to worry though, there was always plenty more funk lurking right around the corner. The diversity that they show on this album was really the key to getting the crossover appeal in place permanently. They answered the call on "Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!" In addition, the title is more than just descriptive; it became a reality, as these funky jokers did not play around when they decided to rock the house. This is a key release that made a statement and would forever change their musical path. On the other hand...
 Uncle Jam Wants You-This release was a major disappointment for me after the excitement and promise of the previous release. There seemed to be far too much silliness and lack of concentration on this recording. They tucked their rock feathers in and served straight up funk gibberish on this disc. The only track I really enjoyed was the hilariously clever "Freak of The Week." Uncle Jam may have been looking for recruits for his legions of funk; I for one would have never joined Dr. Funkenstien's ranks, not this time.
Eddie Hazel, another flashy guitarist for Clinton's troops, would enter the forces of funk on this album. Hazel would not be allowed to cut loose and blossom until the next release. It would be well worth the wait.
 Electric Spanking of War Babies-This release is a remarkable display of funk, rhythm & blues. The main feature is the scorching red-hot guitar licks by the incomparable one-two punch of Michael Hampton and Eddie Hazel. Out of the four most formative and important releases in the Funkadelic catalog this is the one that is most impressive. Every single track packs a knockout punch. The previous three releases seemed like a warm up for the onslaught of funk-rock that is on display here. Funk and rock definitely get stronger, the strongest yet on this superb album.
The colorful, revealing, cartoonish artwork of Pedro Bell (blocked on this CD reissue cover) would once again fit into the Funkadelic machines parts like a glove. The original artwork however is found inside. The picture features an electronic metallic phallic symbol with a nude woman getting a spanking.
This one album would set that standard for all of those that came after Clinton and his troops packed it all in and went home.
George Clinton and Funkadelic were trendsetters and innovators of a genre. They were funny, sexist, weird, colorful, intelligent, and above all, creative with their music and visual presentations. I would define this as funk-rock without hesitation; I will however leave room for adding the term progressive as a descriptive word for their sound. Given the fact that there was nothing like this before they got started qualifies them as true pioneers. Clinton was progressive and a real risk taker. In the end, after all was said and done, the funk would rule. For a short time, we were one nation under a groove. Thanks for all the funkin' fun George.
Note: Make sure you stop by Clinton's website, it is a real trip!
Hardcore Jollies
1. Comin' Round the Mountain (Clinton/Cook) - 5:50
2. Smokey (Clinton/Shider) - 6:06
3. If You Got Funk, You Got Style (Clinton/Collins/Worrell) - 3:07
4. Hardcore Jollies (Clinton/Worrell) - 5:01
5. Soul Mate (Clinton/Cook) - 2:47
6. Cosmic Slop (Clinton/Worell) - 6:27
7. You Scared the Lovin' Outta Me (Clinton/Goins) - 6:23
8. Adolescent Funk (Clinton/Hampton/Worrell) - 4:17
Credits:
Buddy Miles - Percussion
Bernie Worrell - Synthesizer, Vocals
Gary Baker - Sound Effects
Jerome Brailey - Drums, Vocals
George Clinton - Vocals, Producer
Gary "Muddbone" Cooper - Guitar
Raymond Davis - Bass, Vocals
Michael Hampton - Guitar
Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins - Vocals
Cordell Mosson - Bass, Vocals
Gary Shider - Bass
Calvin Simon - Guitar, Vocals
Grady Thomas - Vocals
Archie Ivy - Sound Effects
Bernard "Bino" Manier - Keyboards
Glen - Vocals
Malcluster
Mike Hampton - Drums, Guitar Effects
One Nation Under A Groove
1. One Nation Under a Groove (Clinton/Morrison/Shider) - 7:28
2. Groovallegiance (Clinton/Morrison/Worrell) - 7:00
3. Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?! (Clinton/Hampton/Morrison) - 6:18
4. Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers) (Brown/Clinton/Shider) - 10:45
5. Into You (Clinton/Collins/Morrison) - 5:41
6. Cholly (Funk Getting Ready to Roll!) (Clinton/Collins/Morrison) - 4:27
7. Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!) (Clinton/Worrell) - 4:12
8. P.E. Squad/Doo Doo Chasers (Brown/Clinton/Shider) - 4:18
9. Maggot Brain (Clinton/Hazel) - 8:30
Credits:
Bernie Worrell - Synthesizer, Keyboards, Vocals
Walter "Junie" Morrison - Synthesizer, Keyboards, Vocals
Bootsy Collins - Bass, Percussion, Drums
Jerome Brailey - Percussion, Drums
George Clinton - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Producer, Liner Notes, Art Direction, Concept
Rodney Curtis - Bass
Raymond Davis - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Ron Ford - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Mallia Franklin - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Mullin Franklin - Vocals
Lawrence Fratangelo - Percussion, Drums
Michael Hampton - Guitar
Tyrone Lampkin - Percussion, Drums
Bobby Lavis - Guitar
Louis Levin
Lynn Mabry - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Cordell Mosson - Bass, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Gary Shider - Guitar, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Dawn Silva - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Calvin Simon - Percussion, Vocals
Grady Thomas - Vocals
Jeanette "Baby" Washington - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Debbie Wright - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Bobby Lewis - Banjo
Uncle Jam Wants You
1. Freak of the Week (Bishop/Clinton/McKnight) - 5:33
2. (Not Just) Knee Deep (Clinton) - 15:21
3. Uncle Jam (Clinton/Collins/Shider/Worrell) - 10:25
4. Field Maneuvers (Clinton) - 4:25
5. Holly Wants To Go To California (Clinton) - 2:26
6. Foot Soldiers (Star Spangled Funky) (Clinton/Vitti) - 3:33
Credits:
Bernie Worrell - Keyboards
Eddie Hazel - Guitar, Band
Walter "Junie" Morrison - Keyboards
Philippe Wynne - Vocals (bckgr)
Dennis Chambers - Drums
Bootsy Collins - Bass, Guitar, Drums
Greg Boyer - Vocals (bckgr)
Linda Brown - Vocals (bckgr)
Jessica Cleaves - Vocals (bckgr)
George Clinton - Vocals, Design
Lige Curry - Vocals (bckgr)
Rodney Curtis - Bass
Mallia Franklin - Vocals (bckgr)
Lawrence Fratangelo - Drums
Ramon Tiki Fulwood - Drums
Glen Goins - Guitar
Michael Hampton - Guitar
Sheila Horne - Vocals
Gary Hudgins - Keyboards
Tyrone Lampkin - Drums
Dewayne Blackbird McKnight - Guitar
Cordell Mosson - Bass
Gary Shider - Guitar, Vocals
Dawn Silva - Vocals
Greg Thomas - Vocals
J. Wesley - Vocals (bckgr)
Michael "Clip" Payne - Vocals
Jeannette McGruder - Vocals
Billy "Bass" Nelson - Bass
Larry Heckstall - Vocals
J.S. Theracon - Keyboards
William "Bootsy" Collins - Bass, Guitar, Drums
Jerome Rogers - Keyboards, Vocals (bckgr)
Electric Spanking of War Babies
1. Electric Spanking of War Babies (Bishop/Clinton/Morrison) - 8:39
2. Electro-Cuties (Ali/Clinton/Ford) - 6:12
3. Funk Gets Stronger, Pt. 1 (Clinton/Hampton) - 6:40
4. Brettino's Bounce (Clinton/Fratangelo/Stewart) - 3:40
5. Funk Gets Stronger- She Loves You- (Killer Millimeter Longer Version) (Clinton/Stewart) - 4:26
6. Shockwaves (Dunbar/McKnight) – 5:08
7. Oh, I (Clinton/Curtis/Shider) – 4:53
8 . Icka Prick (Clinton/Shider) - 4:09
Credits:
Andre Williams - Vocals
Michael Brecker - Saxophone, Sax (Alto)
Eddie Hazel - Guitar
Robert Johnson - Vocals
Mother Love - Vocals
Walter "Junie" Morrison - Bass, Guitar, Drums, Guitar (Bass), Keyboards, Vocals, Producer
Philippe Wynne - Vocals
Tony Thomas - Vocals
Muruga - Percussion
Sidney Barnes - Vocals
Jessica Cleaves - Vocals
George Clinton - Vocals, Producer, Concept, Direction, Album Concept
Lige Curry - Bass, Vocals
Rodney Curtis - Bass
Raymond Davis - Vocals
Tony Davis - Vocals
Ron Ford - Vocals, Producer
Mallia Franklin - Vocals
Lawrence Fratangelo - Percussion
Michael Hampton - Guitar, Vocals
Larry Hatcher - Vocals
Sheila Horne - Vocals
Tyrone Lampkin - Drums
Dewayne Blackbird McKnight - Guitar
Pat Rizzo - Saxophone, Sax (Alto)
Cynthia Robinson - Trumpet
Manon Saulsby - Keyboards
Gary Shider - Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals, Producer
Dawn Silva - Vocals
Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart - Synthesizer, Drums, Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards, Vocals, Producer
Roger Troutman - Synthesizer, Bass, Guitar (Rhythm), Moog Synthesizer, Moog Bass
Jeanette "Baby" Washington - Vocals
Shirley Hayden - Vocals
Cheryl James - Vocals
David Lee Chong - Synthesizer, Keyboards
Jeannette McGruder - Vocals
Dave Riley
Jerome Ali - Guitar
Janice Evans - Vocals
Larry Heckstall - Vocals
Ron Dunbar - Vocals, Producer
Gordon Carlton - Guitar (Rhythm)
Kenny Colton - Drums, Vocals
Donnie Sterling - Vocals
Nina Hoover - Vocals
Jimmy Ali - Bass
Jerome Rogers - Vocals
Patty Walker - Vocals
Stevie Pannall - Vocals
Kevin Oliver - Vocals
Robert "Billy" Johnson - Vocals
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