George Clinton Fans Take Note!

[JSngry]

This is some hip, wack stuff. Motown meets Sly meets the Beatles and Dylan by way of Charles Wright. Bad news is that it sounds like it was mastered from 45s (no crackle, but a bit of 45-ish fuzziness on the peaks). Good news is that it doesn't matter - you get the AM sound, and the music fits just dandy.

One Nation Under A Groove it ain't, but there's hints, sometimes strong hints, of things to come. And like I said, it's quirky as hell in the best manner of Sly, just little things in the forms or the arrangements or the lyrics to let you know that SOMETHING is happening here that is a cut above the norm.

Less than ideal sound aside (hell, maybe the masters are lost, who knows), highly recommended to anybody who digs quirky 60s pop of any genre, progressive R&B in general, and "Wiazrd Of Finance" in particular.

Probably available at many places, but it's at Dusty Groove (the bastatrds!) for $11.99. http://www.dustygroove.com/warehouscd4.htm#9153

[Noj]

Thanks for the heads-up JSngry.

"Bastards" is right--damn that Dusty Groove, they'll take all my money.

BTW, what is it about 45s that gives them that "fuzziness?" I've noticed that on compilations.

[BruceH]

Wow, this looks close to essential. There goes my vow to lay off the CD purchases.

[JSngry]

BTW, what is it about 45s that gives them that "fuzziness?" I've noticed that on compilations.

I don't know.

I'm into my 3rd day on this stuff, and it jsut keeps getting cooler and cooler. It's a trip hearing fairly fully formed P-Funk type lyrics and melodies in the context of what was then hardcore mainstream R&B instrumentation and production. At first I say, "This stuff shoulda all been MONSTER hits", but then I listen some more and say, "naaaahhhh....". Both thoughts are correct!

Anybody who buys it, or who is already familiar with this material, please post your impressions. I'm interested.

[Stefan Wood]

I have had this cd from Goldmine records for long time, and the sound has always been crunchy. I always found it fascinating that he tried for Motown to sign and promote the Parliaments. There is a bunch of good music here, but only hints of what he was later known for. This is classic Northern Soul material here, but with all the originality and essence that George Clinton could provide. Heavy stress on the vocals, as they were a vocal group then, not the horns and bass centric of Parliament or fuzz guitars of Funkadelic. Highly recommended!

[DrJ]

This looks very cool - another one to check out!