George Clinton – “Nubian Nut” (1983)
George Clinton raps! This funky “rap” song is from his second solo album You Shouldn’t-Nuf Bit Fish. A bit awkward but charming.
(Audio only)
Junie – “Rappin’ About Rappin’ (Uh-Uh-Uh)” (1981)
A funky song from 1981 by former Ohio Players & P-Funk member Junie Morrison. This was an early rap-styled song (hence the name). This is from the Junie 5 album, which Morrison performed almost entirely by himself.
Mutiny – “Voyage to the Bottom of the P” (1979)
Another great song from P-Funk spinoff Mutiny’s debut album Mutiny on the Mamaship which was a devastating diatribe by former drummer Jerome Brailey against George Clinton’s arrogant and manipulative ways, set to a relentlessly funky backing. Clinton was so impressed with the album that he said he would have released it himself. Brailey obviously made his point.
Zapp – “More Bounce to the Ounce” (1980)
One of the most underrated funk groups of the 1980s, Zapp revolutionized electro computer-pop with their trademark vocoder talk boxes and bumping grooves. Bootsy Collins produced it and it certainly has some Bootsy-flavor to it. Roger Troutman had his own unique sound though – the bluesy, funky guitar he played was very influential in the years to come. Nobody sounded quite like Zapp in their prime. This was their first epic dance hit.
This album was originally to come out on George Clinton’s Uncle Jam label but Warner Bros. stepped in and released it.
Parlet – “Help From My Friends” (1979)
Female proteges of George Clinton. This trio released a few albums in the late 70s and had some minor success on the R&B charts. This song is from their third album Play Me or Trade Me and features great drumming by co-writer Tyrone Lampkin.
George Clinton – “Bullet Proof” (1985)
Anti-war protest song by Dr. Funkenstein himself – produced by Thomas Dolby (of “She Blinded Me With Science” fame).
Parliament – “Do That Stuff” (Live – 1976)
Live in Houston….the P-Funk Mob…
The Parliaments – “Look at What I Almost Missed” (1967)
Another early song by The Parliaments, who later became Parliament (as well as Funkadelic). This was during their early soul period.
The Parliaments – “(I Wanna) Testify” (1967)
This early 45 by the orginal Parliaments was a big hit back in 1967 on Revilot Records. In truth, George Clinton is the only Parliament member who actually appears on the song. The other singers were from a band called The Holidays.
A few years later Clinton altered their name to simply Parliament and the backing band went out front as Funkadelic and the rest, as they say, is history. In 1974 Parliament re-recorded the song under the simpler name ”Testify.”
A great piece of soul music 60s style…
Funkadelic – “(Not Just) Knee Deep – Part 1″ (1979)
Everyone should know this one. This is the seldom heard single version of this song (the album version was about 15 minutes long) – this had a brilliant groove to it and was used extensively for De La Soul’s 1989 hit “Me, Myself and I.”
George Clinton & co. at their best!
