All New & Improved FUNK/SOUL/BLACK ACID ROCK/JAZZ-FUNK Listening Club (New album EVERY MONDAY)

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_500/MI0000/001/MI0000001496.jpg?partner=allrovi.com
http://open.spotify.com/album/649pOdpJOvuMU34mXga9xM
spotify:album:649pOdpJOvuMU34mXga9xM

Review by Ned Raggett [-]

One of Funkadelic's goofiest releases, Let's Take It to the Stage also contains more P-Funk all-time greats as well, making for a grand balance of the serious and silly. Perhaps the silliest is at the end -- there's not much else one can call the extended oompah/icing rink start of "Atmosphere." The title track is as much a call to arms as "Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow" is, but with a more direct musical performance and a more open nod to party atmospheres (not to mention the source of one of Andrew Dice Clay's longest-running bits). The targets of the band's good-natured wrath are, in fact, other groups -- "Hey, Fool and the Gang! Let's take it to the stage!" There's no mistaking the track that immediately follows makes it even more intense -- "Get off Your Ass and Jam" kicks in with one bad-ass drum roll and then scorches the damn place down, from guitar solo to the insanely funky bass from Cordell "Boogie" Mosson. It may only be two and a half minutes long, but it alone makes the album a classic. Hearing Bootsy Collins' unmistakable vocals is usually enough to get anything on the crazy tip, but "Be My Beach" (Collins' Funkadelic vocal debut) just makes it all the more fun, as does the overall air of silly romance getting nuttier as it goes. "Good to Your Earhole" sets the outrageous mood just right -- it's one of the band's tightest monsters of funk, guitars sprawling all over the place even as the heavy-hitting rhythm doesn't let one second of groove get lost. Of course, there's also one totally notorious number to go with it, but "No Head No Backstage Pass" has one of the craziest rhythms on the whole album, not to mention lip-smackingly nutty lines delivered with the appropriate leer.

Who else wants to take a week?

2 September - Tom Violence
9 September - Viceroy

i'll have a go on... what, the 16th?

heard that Funkadelic album in fits and starts. don't recall the sprawling guitars; guess i'll need to focus my listening a bit more -- i always tend to let this sort of music play out as a mock-heroic soundtrack to whatever boring stuff i might be doing (laundry, online banking, whatever). i haven't given it a proper, legitimate once-over till now.

http://people.duke.edu/~tmc/motherpage/lyrics_funkadelic/lyr-2stage.html

http://people.duke.edu/~tmc/motherpage/albums_funkadelic/alb-2stage.html

nice! now i can sing along

this album strikes me as wild, infectious, and strangely boundless, particularly for a genre that i usually associate with such rigid parameters. the experimental songwriting is tempered by the divine hand of a master tweaker, who herds the free for all: wise to the outrageous latitudes of the bigger picture, keeping everything level and just right.

"Be My Beach" (Collins' Funkadelic vocal debut)

*tut tut* Ned

volunteering for a week shakey?

eh not really just payin attention

why not? You know your stuff!

because I am lazy and noncommittal

Love this album...prolly the most underrated Funkadelic album...'Good To Your Earholes' is such a great opener...'Stuff And Things' is a total jam as well...lithe, funky and to the point...superb...

prolly the most underrated Funkadelic album.

agreed.

This is a great album, one of my favourite Funkadelic records. Be My Beach and The Song is Familiar are two of my favourites. The song I come back to the most is the alternative version of Baby I Owe You Something Good which is a bonus track on the version I have.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqu_O_KBI9M

It's just so much fun.

Want a week KP? Anyone?

I'll volunteer for Sept. 30, if this goes until then. (Can't provide spotify links though, sry)

Awesome record that I'd somehow never heard until now. I think my inability to ever fully process Maggot Brain may have stunted my investigation of Funkadelic at some point. This one feels like an ideal balance of the joyful and the sinister, whereas MB only ever struck me as the latter. I cannot imagine ever programming another party mix from here on in without including "Get Off Your Ass and Jam."

mid-period (ie Westbound) Funkadelic is where it's at. all the albums are consistent, remarkably high quality

I'll have a go too AG. Downloading Let's Take it to the Stage now, thoughts tomorrow!

Just revived the original and oft contentious Black Acid Rock thread, w further re Death. All headz up.

You got it neil

2 September - Tom Violence
9 September - Viceroy
16 Sept - Neil S
23 Sept - Charlie s
30 Sept - Myonga Vön Bontee

Kitchen Person? anyone else want to take a week?

Whoever has a turn can choose classic or modern, obscure or well known. it's entirely up to them.

if choosing jazz-funk though I think it better if its more funk than jazz however.

sweet, thanks AG

listening to Take it to the Stage at the moment, awesome guitar playing on it. Have been listening in tandem with Cosmic Slop, so need some time to process a bit more I think

Kitchen Person? anyone else want to take a week?

Whoever has a turn can choose classic or modern, obscure or well known. it's entirely up to them.

― pfunkboy (Algerian Goalkeeper)

Yeah I'll take the next free week. Hopefully I can pick something interesting out.

excellent

BTW same rules as last time

NO Jamiroquai

02 September - Tom Violence
09 September - Viceroy
16 September - Neil S
23 September - Charlie s
30 September - Myonga Vön Bontee
07 October - Kitchen Person

What an odd album. Half of it is a great funk record, and the other half is... different? It's like they lure you in with the funk on the first three tracks, then things get weirder, and then somehow by the end you're listening to seven minutes of organ chords with Clinton talking about the clitoris in the background. Am I meant to appreciate the weirder stuff, or just tolerate it for the sake of those great funk jams like "Better By the Pound" and "Get Off Your Ass and Jam?"

http://www.sanfords.net/Spots_free_graphics/Wizards/wizard14.gif

I think Atmosphere is one of funkadelics failed experiments. They always tried to put a really experimental track on the westbound albums.

I wish I knew what markers meant

Yeah the westbound albums tend to have at least one 7+ minute weirdo jam, and it was bernie's turn on this one. It doesnt really bug me, it has a sustained creepiness to it. Pales next to maggot brain or good thoughts bad thoughts tho.

Not as good as Bernie's great prog/Mandrill epic "Tales of Kidd Funkadelic" either. (That album's pretty much ALL filler, leftovers in fact, but it's fair-to-superb nonetheless.)

By the time they get to Warners in the next coupla years, they'll rely on live remakes of Westbound-era classics in addition to the ponderous instrumental excursions, filler-wise.

tom violence you can post the album anytime as its monday in oz!

Maybe I'll try a week here too, if that's OK? What's the policy on fusion?

Funk has to dominate (no smooth stuff) In the old club Donald Byrd - Blackbyrd was posted so thats the bar i guess.

This Week - Tom Violence
09 September - Viceroy
16 September - Neil S
23 September - Charlie H
30 September - Myonga Vön Bontee
07 October - Kitchen Person
14 October - sund4r

I'll take a week if one's going...

You got it!

This Week - Tom Violence
09 September - Viceroy
16 September - Neil S
23 September - Charlie H
30 September - Myonga Vön Bontee
07 October - Kitchen Person
14 October - sund4r
21 October - sonnyboy

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_500/MI0002/262/MI0002262916.jpg?partner=allrovi.com
http://open.spotify.com/album/6FD0UvvoVyO4KF0KhqFdM1
spotify:album:6FD0UvvoVyO4KF0KhqFdM1

Allmusic review by Craig Lytle:

The debut album from the Ohio-based funk aggregate Slave was a grand success, but resulted in the release of only one single, "Slide." Being the only single released from the album, "Slide" had no problem gaining airplay with its gothic introduction, animated vocals, and rumbling bassline. The funk anthem claimed the number one spot on the Billboard R&B charts inside of 20 weeks. The other cuts on the album continue the aggressive funk assault, but with subtle passion and their own distinctive arrangements. The exception is "Son of Slide," which is identical to the album's big hit, except that it's an instrumental save a brief chorus chant. The only ballad is "The Happiest Days," a sweet soul song arranged in the vein of the Ohio Players with its horns, lead and backing vocals.

I heard of this during the 70s poll and stumbled across a good condition copy at the local shop. A classic if only for its liberal use of vibraslap.

throw me in this pile also ag

yeah me too plz

ok

This Week - Tom Violence
09 September - Viceroy
16 September - Neil S
23 September - Charlie H
30 September - Myonga Vön Bontee
07 October - Kitchen Person
14 October - sund4r
21 October - sonnyboy
28 October - balls
04 - November - cock chirea

That Slave album is excellent btw. I did The Concept in the old club I think.

Yeah it's a good one. "Slide" popped up in the headphones a coupla months ago and made me happy to walk semi-aimlessly around the mall for six minutes or so.

First thing that springs to mind about this record is the absolutely fantastic bass playing. More thoughts later...

It's later now!

The Slave album is really good but I much prefer some of the ones that came after. The Hardness of the World, The Concept and Stone Jam are all much stronger and a bit more varied. A few years back I got the Slave Original Album Series box set which collects their first five albums, it's well worth getting especially with how cheap it is.

Cook man, it's a keeper IMO

Cool even!

its cooked his brain

So I didn't end up liking this week's selection much, but this thread ended up renewing its value to me this week anyway, when I found a vinyl copy of Let's Take It To The Stage while out record shopping on the weekend.

don't worry, there's a new one due today!

23 September - Charlie H
30 September - Myonga Vön Bontee
07 October - Kitchen Person
14 October - sund4r
21 October - sonnyboy
28 October - balls
04 - November - cock chirea

<b> Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Express Yourself </b>

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-liGxaXH6L8Y/Tn0c0WJZwpI/AAAAAAAABQs/iJAjz-IQ81c/s1600/Express+Yourself.jpg

http://open.spotify.com/album/2aUItMxwVnUJg4btjcUxC5

sweet, will be checking!

great tea time vibes filling the kitchen right now - thank you

Now this is more like it!

Possibly the warmest and prettiest album ever made that could be classified as "funk."

The Undisputed Truth - Cosmic Truth

http://www.parisdjs.com/images/covers/loik-norman_is_the_one/The_Undisputed_Truth-Cosmic_Truth_b.jpg

The common knock on The Undisputed Truth is that they were the sorry step child to The Temptations. Truth be told, musically anyway, the band’s sound was often more akin to the spaced psychedelia of early Parliament/Funkadelic. But, those with finely tuned ears will immediately recognize The Temps’ songwriting and production style, courtesy of one of the original brick layers of the Motown sound, and one of the greatest 60s songwriters ever, Norman Whitfield. What Whitfield did for The Temps in the late 60s, he also did for The Truth in the early 70s – expanding the perimeters of modern soul to encompass highly stylized rock, funk and psychedelia. The bands even shared some of the same material (it was The Truth who first recorded Whitfield’s “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”). It’s been said for decades that producer Whitfield used the band (his studio creation) as lab rats to experiment with new sounds, more guitars and spacier constructs, and Cosmic Truth is a great example of his vision. The Truth’s take on the Temps’ “(I Know) I’m Losing You” shows how Whitfield could stretch a song’s root components to the breaking point, infusing extended guitar solos and jazzy interludes, while reinventing vocal arrangements from the ground up. The fuzz bass and stinging guitar work in “1990″ are worthy examples and the soulful take on Neil Young’s “Down By The River” (the LP’s only non-Whitfield song) is worth a listen, too.

not heard this one. i only have a cd comp of the band

hmm yeah I only know the hits, never heard this

Look at the artwork!

I somehow own four Undisputed Truth albums but don't really love any of them. Too many predictable covers stop them from being classics. I can't really remember Cosmic Truth all that well, will give it a spin this week to jog my memory.

I'd give it a listen if I could find it. It's not on Spotify.

Bit worried about doing my choice next week. I thought of a few albums I'd like to do but they're not on Spotify.

I'd give it a listen if I could find it. It's not on Spotify.

full album on youtube, check it out

A1 Earthquake Shake
http://youtu.be/CcNVf5ZUqNU
A2 Down By The River
http://youtu.be/ooTEU9fyTuo
A3 UFO’s
http://youtu.be/TkBALCUHYl0
A4 Lil’ Red Ridin’ Hood
http://youtu.be/4fSu4BAIC34
A5 Squeeze Me, Tease Me
http://youtu.be/keboiBHOVXE
B1 Spaced Out
http://youtu.be/FB6Zts6nSsc
B2 Got To Get My Hands On Some Lovin’
http://youtu.be/vCBKVix2jPM
B3 1990
http://youtu.be/218wfeRZWFo
B4 (I Know) I’m Losing You
http://youtu.be/2jtnCeV3rEk

Down by the River is pretty fiery

Ridiculous Bootsy-impersonation on UFOs

overall this is pretty good, songwriting's not as strong as the Temps or P-Funk but Whitfield's production prowess carries the day imho

kinda on the same level as that Chairmen of the Board "Skin I'm In" record. "Squeeze Me, Tease Me" is great.

skin i'm in is an awesome album

the last track, the Rod Stewart cover, is the weakest. on the whole I'd say it's all better than the ballad-y side of Skin I'm In.

Gatefold is pretty wtf

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/00Images%202009/UTruth-Wigs.jpg

Skin I'm In is pretty much a masterpiece, one of my favourite funk albums ever.

yes

some ok stuff on this album

07 October - Kitchen Person
14 October - sund4r
21 October - sonnyboy
28 October - balls
04 - November - cock chirea

Think I might have to pass on my selection. I can't find any of the albums I wanted to choose on Spotify or Youtube.

that means this clubs dying on its arse then..

I had a bunch names I was looking for on Spotify (Madhouse, Spirit of Atlanta or Rasputin's Stash) but nothing. They didn't even have any Brick albums on there apart from a best of. I could pick something else but it would be way less funk and more smooth soul which isn't really what this club is about.

soul is fine

Okay I'm back in.

it's in the title. Only reason R n B isn't in it is because the rev had his own club and didnt want to step on his toes. (tho generally we stay before 1985? )

so in other words its a wide variety of stuff allowed so choose from it.
I think the rev should take a week and choose something classic

Well it was quite tough trying to pick an album in the end but I'm happy with my choice which is..

Greg Perry - Smokin' 1977

http://rymimg.com/lk/o/l/abfed30e4a55dea293dfc49f7ba13e50/2146870.jpg

http://open.spotify.com/album/6Er0Pta7ZrH3Ezk34PYdaK

I love this album so much and it breaks my heart a little that it only has nine ratings on Rate Your Music (one being mine and another from my brother!) There is of course no AMG review but I did find a semi decent write up by a guy on his blog from 2008. The album has since been re-released on CD so you can ignore him going on about demanding a re-release. The production on this album is very smooth and quite outstanding, especially on the last couple of songs. Hope it can find another couple of fans on here.

If you love Ben. E. King's "Let Me Live In Your Life" album then you will automatically love this album. The set was chiefly best known for the wonderful "How's Your Love Life Baby", quickly covered by Eddie Kendricks on his "Vintage '78" album a year later. I love both versions of the song, and both are worth owning. I really like this album, and prefer it to his earlier album, "One For The Road". I wish Soul Brother or Expansion would release this gem as I am sure the demand is there for it. For lovers of a funky beat with plenty of horns then "Where's There's Smoke (There's Fire)" would be an obvious choice, and "(I Can See The) Handwriting On The Wall" has Greg sounding very much like his brother, Jeff Perry. This is a really great track with a great chorus, but that said they pale in comparison to the KILLER tracks I'm about to shed light on.

"I'll Always Be In Love With You" will knock you for six. Trust me - play the sound sample below and listen to the whole darn track. Seventies soul rarely comes stronger than this morsel, and Perry really has a ball on this midtempo effort. There is a brilliant spaced out funky synth break over which Greg vocalises alongside a flute. Oh yes!!!!! This is what makes our music so wonderful! Let's get moving and get this on CD ASAP! Skipping a track we arrive at the soaring "Come Fly With Me"...don't let this one escape you. It's a real dream of a track and when it segues into "Let's Get Away From It All" with THAT spacey synth again and a very sexy femme adding he moans and groans you are in for a real treat! The cantering beat and flute swirl with keyboard effects is a sensual, soulful vibe. I always reserve songs like these for chilling out at the beach on a hot summer's day. The perfect setting for such music. I also think that if you love Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" set then these tracks will definitely appeal. OK, this is not a dirt cheap album but where tracks like this are concerned it is only money!

Never heard of it but it looks interesting!

It's a really gorgeous album that's aged really well. Hope you like it.

Yeah I've never heard of this either

Me neither. Why does that typeface look more like it's from the 1980s or '90s?

I only heard of him a few years ago when I was buying some Barry White albums from a guy at a record fair, he recommended me his first album (One For the Road) which I went out and bought straight away. Not long after that I noticed they were re-releasing Smokin' (his second and final album) I ending up liking this one even more.

Playing it now

Really liked the first track. Rest of the album was pretty good too. Good pick!

Thanks. It took me a while to really get into it but once it clicked I kept coming back to it all the time.

Whose turn is it?

Thought I'd go for something a bit more modern...wanted to choose Dag -'Righteous' but not on Spotify...but remember liking this at the time...(sorry no image)...

http://open.spotify.com/album/2Lb5wVvFr7Zc58lSNCT76N

http://www.allmusic.com/album/fast-food-funkateers-mw0000086206

Dont know it.

Any interest in reviving this?