Tyler Stephenson Music Supply

what is the name of the song parliament funkadelic sings in parody of hey diddle diddle?

the only parliament song I know is to give up funk / tear into down. dont know if thats what youre looking for self –

MOTHERSHIP CONNECTION(STAR CHILD) – PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC

George Clinton Poster Parliament Funkadelic Bright Colr $14.99 This poster is 11 by 17 inches approximately and is in mint condition. It is shipped rolled in a hard cardboard tube….

George Clinton Mug Shot Collectible Mug! $9.95 Mug Shots are a collection of custom created 11 oz. ceramic mugs that showcase the rise for some, the fall of a few, and the result of lifestyle choices for many celebrities and mobsters!…

Parliament-Funkadelic concert music vintage retro reprint poster Wolfgang’s Vault rare collectible memorabilia…

The Mothership Connection Live 1976 $7.81 Studio: Sony Music Release Date: 11/18/2008…

News $16.98 Recorded in a single day at Paisley Park, Prince has confounded audiences yet again by recording a progressive jazz album with only four cuts–each named for a point on a compass–and clocking in at 14:00 minutes. If that wasn’t enough, there isn’t a single lyric on the almost hour-long disc. Like many before him, the musical savant has decided to let the music do the talking. But in Prince’s case…

---

George Clinton / Parliament / Funkadelic – Live At Montreux 2004 $8.93 George Clinton / Parliament / Funkadelic – Live At Montreux 2004

---

George Clinton / Parliament / Funkadelic – Live At Montreux 2004 $8.93 George Clinton / Parliament / Funkadelic – Live At Montreux 2004

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic – Live At Montreux $16.45 Buy and sell [George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic - Live At Montreux] at great prices.

Mothership Reconnection (Feat Parliament/Funkadelic) (Daft Punk Remix) $1.29 Mothership Reconnection (Feat Parliament/Funkadelic) (Daft Punk Remix)

Parliament Funkadelic George Clinton Live $11.58 Rated: NA Synopsis: It was Halloween night and Parliament Funkadelic was about to tear the roof off the Houston Summit, ready to bless the crowd with their cosmic brew of interplanetary funk. George Clinton, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and the rest of the P-Funk collective were riding the success of their first Top 5 R&B hit, “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker),” a track that had earned them the kind of radio play that would bring the masses out to see them live in a stadium-sized arena. The group was only five dates into the tour when they arrived in Houston, but they were definitely ready to take it to the stage for an out-of-this-world show like no other. Taped on October 31, 1976, these seldom-seen performances at the Houston Summit represent Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic in their ’70s prime, in the era of their Mothership Connection and The Clones Of Dr. Funkenstein LPs–a rare opportunity for everyone to get their proper dose of The P-Funk.

Parliament Funkadelic: The Mothership Connection – Live from Houston $12.71 This concert release captures a 1976 Halloween performance by the legendary Parliament Funkadelic. The setlist of over a dozen songs includes Cosmic Slop, Standing On the Verge of Getting It On, Children of Productions, and Mothership Connection (Star Child). ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: Live At Montreux, 2004 $14.89 There ain’t no party like a P-Funk party, and {$George Clinton} and his tribe of crazed funkateers show why in this {\concert} video, recorded during a marathon performance at the {~2004 Montreux Jazz Festival}. {#George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic:

The Parliament Funkadelic: The Mothership Connection – Live from Houston $8.97 This concert release captures a 1976 Halloween performance by the legendary {$Parliament Funkadelic}. The setlist of over a dozen songs includes {&”Cosmic Slop,”} {&”Standing On the Verge of Getting It On,”} {&”Children of Productions,”} and {&”Mothership

Parliament Funkadelic: The Mothership Live 1976 (DVD) $11.86 George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic perform "Cosmic Slop," "Do That Stuff," "Gammin` On Ya," "Standing On The Verge Of Getting` It On," "The Undisco Kid," "Children Of Production," "Mothership Connection," "Swing Down Sweet Chariot," "Dr. Funkenstein," "Comin` Round The Mountain," "P. Funk," "Tear The Roof Off The Sucker," "Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples," and "Funkin` For Fun".

P-Funk Groups: Funkadelic, Parliament, the Parliaments, Parliament-Funkadelic, Zapp, Kiddo, the Brides of Funkenstein, Children of Pr $19.99 P-Funk Groups: Funkadelic, Parliament, the Parliaments, Parliament-Funkadelic, Zapp, Kiddo, the Brides of Funkenstein, Children of Pr

People from Plainfield, New Jersey: George Clinton, Archibald Cox, Billy Bass Nelson, Bill Evans, Parliament-Funkadelic, Kasim Reed, Diane Wood $19.99 People from Plainfield, New Jersey: George Clinton, Archibald Cox, Billy Bass Nelson, Bill Evans, Parliament-Funkadelic, Kasim Reed, Diane Wood

George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic – Live at Montreux 2004 (DVD) $13.36 Established at the dawn of the 1970s, Parliament and Funkadelic mix hard rock, psychedelia, soul, and funk in equal measure. Led by funk godfather George Clinton and buoyed by the liquid basslines of Bootsy Collins and the mind-melting guitar of Eddie Hazel, the two bands` brace of enormously influential albums cement their reputation as the most distinctive funk-rockers ever. This program finds Clinton and P-Funk performing at the 2004 Montreux Jazz Festival with trademark over-the-top theatrics and a career-spanning selection of songs that includes Bop Gun, Flashlight, Up for the Downstroke, and, of course, Atomic Dog.

George Clinton (Funk)/Parliament Funkadelic – Instant Live: The State Theatre – Portland, ME 3/19/04 $14.03 Track Listing:*P-Funk Intro *Bernie Worrell Keyboard Solo / Funkentelechy *Bop Gun / Gamin` On Ya / Undisco Kidd – (featuring Belinda Woods) *Cosmic Slop *Dr. Frankenstein Medley: We Do This / Take Your Dead Ass Home (Say Something Nasty) / We Want The Funk / Get Low / Botta Butt / PFunk (Wants To Get Funked Up / Get Off Your Ass And Jam *Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker) / Up For The Downstroke / James Brown (Cool To Show Off) *James Brown (Cool To Show Off) Continued / James Brown Jam / Bounce 2 – (with Poo Poo Man/Kendra Foster) *Something Stank And I Want Some / Hard As Steel / Flashlight – (with Sativa) *U.S. Customs Coast Guard Dope Dogs / Flashlight *Not Just Knee Deep / Sentimental Journey – (with Belinda Woods) *Sentimental Journey *Atomic Dog / Whole Lotta Shakin` Going On / Encore Chant *Red Hot Mama

Six Degrees of P-Funk: The Best of George Clinton & His Funky Family $6.99 This compilation features some of the best solo material from the {$Parliament}/{$Funkadelic} crew during the late ’70s and ’80s under the direction of {$George Clinton}. Ever the entrepreneur, {$Clinton} had farmed his aggregate of loose booties to no le

Black Midnight Sun $13.29 {^Black Midnight Sun} is the first release on the {@Dreyfus} label by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist {$Lucky Peterson}, joined here by producer {$Bill Laswell} on bass and former {$Parliament}/{$Funkadelic} drummer {$Jerome “Bigfoot” Braily}. While th

Live: P-Funk Earth Tour $14.54 The only officially released in-concert {$Parliament}-{$Funkadelic} album, {^Live: P-Funk Earth Tour} captures {$George Clinton} and company at their peak in 1977, compiling recordings of a couple shows (January 19 at {~the Los Angeles Forum} and January

Dennis Chambers: In the Pocket $31.67 Widely regarded as one of most popular drummers of modern times, {$Dennis Chambers}’ unique style has been utilized by {$Parliament}, {$Funkadelic}, {$John Scofield}, {$Mike Stern}, {$Stanley Clarke}, and {$Santana}. {#Dennis Chambers: In the Pocket} feat

Stone Jam $5.99 The {\funk} of the late ’70s and early ’80s can be divided into two main categories: hardcore {\funk} ({$Parliament}/{$Funkadelic}, {$Cameo}, {$Rick James}, {$the Gap Band}, {$the Ohio Players}) and the type of smoother, so-called “sophisticated {\funk”}

Knock on Wood $20.26 In contrast to the 1970s — when artists ranging from {$Curtis Mayfield} to {$Parliament}/{$Funkadelic} were praised for their albums — singles defined soul music in the 1960s. It has often been pointed out that many {@Stax} and {@Motown} albums of the ‘

Jams From the Heart [EP] $11.97 {$Eddie Hazel} rose to fame in the early ’70s as part of {$George Clinton’s} {$Parliament/Funkadelic} troupe. An extremely talented and underappreciated guitarist/songwriter, {$Hazel} had no problem nailing down {$Hendrix}-like guitar freakouts ({&”Maggot

Mothership Connection [Bonus Track] $8.97 The definitive {$Parliament}-{$Funkadelic} album, Mothership Connection is where {$George Clinton}’s revolving band lineups, differing musical approaches, and increasingly thematic album statements reached an ideal state, one that resulted in enormous com

GEORGE CLINTON-MOTHERSHIP CONNECTI $13.46 George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic perform Cosmic Slop, Do That Stuff, Gammin’ On Ya, Standing On The Verge Of Getting’ It On, The Undisco Kid, Children Of Production, Mothership Connection, Swing Down Sweet Chariot, Dr. Funkenstein, Comin’ Round The Mountain, P. Funk, Tear The Roof Off The Sucker, Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples, and Funkin’ For Fun.

Greatest Hits [Capitol] $7.97 {$George Clinton}’s solo output of the 1980s and 1990s wasn’t as consistent as his work with {$Parliament}/{$Funkadelic} in the 1970s — nonetheless, the {$P-Funk} innovator has had his share of inspired moments as a solo artist, and some of his best solo

The Chronic $13.79 With its stylish, sonically detailed production, {$Dr. Dre}’s 1992 solo debut, {^The Chronic}, transformed the entire sound of {\West Coast rap}. Here {$Dre} established his patented {\G-funk} sound: fat, blunted {$Parliament}-{$Funkadelic} beats, soulful

Bootsy? Player of the Year $5.99 Released in 1978 at the height of {$Parliament}-{$Funkadelic} mania, {^Bootsy? Player of the Year} finds {$Bootsy} far from short of quality material despite his affiliation with the numerous P-Funk-affiliated projects being churned out at this time. In f

All the Greatest Hits $6.99 This Dayton, OH, band came to typify swinging, effervescent, and melodic {\funk} in an era when {$Parliament}, {\Funkadelic}, and other outfits were getting bogged down and burned out. {$Zapp}, unlike the other {$P-Funk} units, had their own personality d

The Best of the Spinners [Atlantic] $8.97 {$The Spinners} lost lead singer {$Philippe Wynne} in 1977, as he left to join {$Parliament}/{$Funkadelic}. While they were getting replacement {$John Edwards} acclimated, {@Atlantic} issued this greatest-hits LP containing all the gems with {$Wynne} as t

Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs $12.98 A hidden gem among the many {$Parliament}/{$Funkadelic}-affiliated albums released during the mid- to late ’70s, {$Eddie Hazel}’s only official solo album may not sport any perennial classics and may be a bit short on content, yet it became incredibly rev

The Chronic [Clean] $13.79 With its stylish, sonically detailed production, {$Dr. Dre}’s 1992 solo debut {^The Chronic} transformed the entire sound of West Coast rap. Here {$Dre} established his patented G-funk sound: fat, blunted {$Parliament}-{$Funkadelic} beats, soulful backing

Declassified $13.79 {$Groove Collective}’s completely uninhibited, party-based jazz-funk is inspired by {$Sly Stone}, acid jazz, hip-hop, salsa, {$Stevie Wonder}, drum’n'bass, {$Parliament}-{$Funkadelic}, {$Fania} — that is, anything or anyone from the late ’60s on who knew

Bernie Worrell – Free Agent: A Space Odyssey $40.57 FREE AGENT is a solo release from Bernie Worrell, the synth genius and former key member of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective. "Hope Is Here," "In Pursuit," and "Re-enter Black Light" are among the tracks. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Dennis Chambers – In the Pocket (DVD) $35.63 Drummer Dennis Chambers teaches dynamic drumming for students at all levels. Famous for his awesome displays with Parliament, Funkadelic, and Santana, Chambers reunites with John Schofield, Gary Grainger, and Jim Beard to produce some classy tunes, and unforgettable breaks.DVD Features:Region 1Keep caseFull Frame – 1.33

Brain – One Stroke Done $69.99 Bryan Brain Mantia is a man of many stylistic flavors. He has played with artists as diverse as Tom Waits, Bill Laswell, Giant Robot, BT, Chris Isaak, Jon Hassell, George Clinton (of Parliament-Funkadelic), Exodus and Testament. His sensibilities reflect those of a composer, having done film soundtrack (Mortal Combat) and TV (Ultra Man, Dragon Ball Z) work.

It’s What’s in the Groove $16.38 Twenty tracks from 1973-75, drawn from their Love Sign (1973) and Funk Pump (1975) albums, with a few stray odds and ends added. It’s worth hearing if you want to check out something far more eclectic than the sweet soul that ruled the radio back then, yet considerably less weird than the Parliament-Funkadelic axis. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

Funk Guitar and Bass $19.48 Details the history of funk, then teaches guitarists and bassists lessons and exercises in the styles of the pros. All of the greats get their due, including James Brown, Sly Stone, Parliament/Funkadelic, Kool and the Gang, the Isley Brothers, Average White Band, Prince, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. The accompanying CD contains all of the musical examples, and a funk glossary lays out the lingo. Hardcover, with spiral binding.

Funk Guitar And Bass $16.63 Details the history of funk, then teaches guitarists and bassists lessons and exercises in the styles of the pros. All of the greats get their due, including James Brown, Sly Stone, Parliament/Funkadelic, Kool and the Gang, the Isley Brothers, Average White Band, Prince, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. The accompanying CD contains all of the musical examples, and a funk glossary lays out the lingo. Hardcover, with spiral binding.

Bootsy Collins – Stretchin Out In Bootsy`s Rubber Band [10/16] $12.98 STRETCHIN` OUT IN BOOTSY`S RUBBER BAND marked the solo debut of one of the most delectably eclectic characters in music history. On his coming out, Parliament/Funkadelic bassist William "Bootsy" Collins unfurls funky grooves with energy to match the flash of his everpresent costumes.Released the same year as Parliament`s MOTHERSHIP CONNECTION (1976), STRETCHIN` OUT IN BOOTSY`S RUBBER BAND marked not only the solo debut of Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins, but an expression of funk as a universe unto itself. Bootsy was the court jester of the P-funk, but more importantly he helped shape the group`s signature sound with his elastic, effects-heavy basslines and monstrous grooves.STRETCHIN` OUT is a showcase for what Bootsy does best. The level of entertainment is high throughout; there`s no shortage of playful silliness, for example (like the smirking, wispy vocals of his alter-ego, Casper). But what really stands out is the musicianship (the album is produced by George Clinton and features many outstanding musicians from the P-funk crew), which blazes on jams such as "Stretchin` Out (In a Rubber Band)" and "Psychoticbumpschool." No funk fan should be without this five-star classic. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Bootsy Collins – Stretchin Out In Bootsy`s Rubber Band $12.98 STRETCHIN` OUT IN BOOTSY`S RUBBER BAND marked the solo debut of one of the most delectably eclectic characters in music history. On his coming out, Parliament/Funkadelic bassist William "Bootsy" Collins unfurls funky grooves with energy to match the flash of his everpresent costumes.Released the same year as Parliament`s MOTHERSHIP CONNECTION (1976), STRETCHIN` OUT IN BOOTSY`S RUBBER BAND marked not only the solo debut of Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins, but an expression of funk as a universe unto itself. Bootsy was the court jester of the P-funk, but more importantly he helped shape the group`s signature sound with his elastic, effects-heavy basslines and monstrous grooves.STRETCHIN` OUT is a showcase for what Bootsy does best. The level of entertainment is high throughout; there`s no shortage of playful silliness, for example (like the smirking, wispy vocals of his alter-ego, Casper). But what really stands out is the musicianship (the album is produced by George Clinton and features many outstanding musicians from the P-funk crew), which blazes on jams such as "Stretchin` Out (In a Rubber Band)" and "Psychoticbumpschool." No funk fan should be without this five-star classic. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

GEORGE CLINTON/PFUNK-LIVE AT MONTR $13.46 There ain’t no party like a P-Funk party, and George Clinton and his tribe of crazed funkateers show why in this concert video, recorded during a marathon performance at the 2004 Montreux Jazz Festival. George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic: Live at Montreux, 2004 features the funk pioneer and a king-size band playing such hits as Flashlight, Atomic Dog, Not Just Knee Deep, Maggot Brain, Bop Gun, Undisco Kid, Up for the Down Stroke, and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide career-spanning selection of songs that includes Bop Gun, Flashlight, Up for the Downstroke, and, of course, Atomic Dog.

Eddie Hazel (Funk) – Games, Dames & Guitar Thang $12.98 The legendary, troubled Parliament/Funkadelic guitarist Eddie Hazel made only a few albums with George Clinton`s collective, which makes this solo set all the more precious. Hazel is joined by the P-Funk rhythm section as well as the singers of the Brides of Funkenstein on a mostly instrumental collection that contains some incendiary soloing, notably on covers of the Mamas & The Papas` "California Dreaming" and the Beatles` "I Want You (She`s So Heavy)." Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Candy Dulfer – Upcoming Release [4/2009] * $15.69 Is Candy Dulfer a jazz saxophonist with a feel for funk or a funk player with a jazz side to her musical personality? On FUNKED UP, she leans toward the latter. While there is some smooth melodious jazz here, most of this set is geared to paying tribute to old-school funk–Parliament, Funkadelic, James Brown, and the earliest efforts by Kool & the Gang and Rick James. There`s some rapping along with overtones of reggae rhymes and Latin rhythms, but for the most part FUNKED lives up to its title, with Dulfer`s heated sax shining throughout. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Big Fish Audio Funk Quartet $79.96 In the 1970s, funk was the soundtrack to the African-American experience. From the jazz-inflected funk of Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith, to the pop of Stevie Wonder, and the abstract freakouts of Eddie Harris and the iconic cartoon funk of Parliament/Funkadelic, this was the thread that held everything together. It was the death of bebop and the seeds of disco and hip hop. It challenged rock as king of the heap, and ultimately got a nation to shake its booty.Producer Rich Mendelson has distilled funk down to its essence: guitar, bass, drums and piano. With Funk Quartet you can create entire funk-inflected tracks with the material’s many variations, or just use individual loops to add that little head-noddin’ extra. But however you use it, throw your chair out of the studio…Funk Quartet will keep you on your feet!

Rock House Funk & Hip-Hop Drums with Jerome Brailey of Parliament $17.99 Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 for his work with Parliament Funkadelic, Jerome Brailey is a true drumming legend. In the Funk & Hip Hop Drums instructional program, Brailey teaches drummers his best-kept secrets.Learn how to play funk grooves with staccato and legato feels. Learn how to play hip-hop using straighter figures and the side stick. Learn New Orleans, second line-influenced funk, and more. Jerome’s drum tutorials reveal his famous “ghost stroke” technique and teaches you syncopated bass drum patterns, linear grooves, how to isolate the high hat, use dropouts to create space, and use various textures. Each drum groove is broken down and built back up so you can clearly see how they are constructed.

Hal Leonard AND PARTY EVERY DAY – THE INSIDE STORY OF CASABLANCA RECORDS $22.49 Casablanca was not a product of the 1970s, it was the 1970s. And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records gives you a behind-the-scenes story that follows Casablanca Records from the perspective of an eyewitness to the excess and insanity.From 1974 to 1980, the landscape of American culture was a banquet of hedonism and self-indulgence, and no person or company in that era was more emblematic of the times than Casablanca Records and its magnetic founder, Neil Bogart. From his daring first signing of KISS, through the discovery and superstardom of Donna Summer, the Village People, and funk master George Clinton and his circus of freaks (Parliament Funkadelic), to the descent into the manic world of disco, And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records book charts Neil Bogart’s meteoric success and eventual collapse under the weight of uncontrolled ego and hype. It’s a compelling tale of ambition, greed, excess, and some of the era’s biggest musical acts.

Funk $13.3 Rickey Vincent`s examination of funk, its origins, influences, and most celebrated practitioners, explores the nature of this musical hybrid of R&B, jazz, the blues, and rock & roll in chapters that include a brief history of the Black Panther party, a study of James Brown, and an examination of George Clinton`s influential Parliament-Funkadelic musical conglomerate. Vincent`s wide-ranging exploration covers the music`s shifting parameters since its advent in the 1960s, its relationship to the growing black political consciousness of that and succeeding decades, and its inevitable absorption into the musical mainstream through commercialization. Exactly what funk is turns out to be almost indefinable–as much a feeling as a musical genre, you know it when you encounter it.

And Party Every Day (Hardcover) $16.33 Now it can be told! The true, behind-the-scenes story of Casablanca Records, from an eyewitness to the excess and insanity. Casablanca was not a product of the 1970s, it was the 1970s.From 1974 to 1980, the landscape of American culture was a banquet of hedonism and self-indulgence, and no person or company in that era was more emblematic of the times than Casablanca Records and its magnetic founder, Neil Bogart. From his daring first signing of KISS, through the discovery and superstardom of Donna Summer, the Village People, and funk master George Clinton and his circus of freaks, Parliament Funkadelic, to the descent into the manic world of disco, this book charts Bogart`s meteoric success and eventual collapse under the weight of uncontrolled ego and hype. It is a compelling tale of ambition, greed, excess, and some of the era`s biggest music acts.

Rick James – The Definitive Collection * $10.61 Personnel: Rick James ; Roxanne Shant¿, Teena Marie, Smokey Robinson.Arranger: Reggie Andrews.Containing cuts like his love song to marijuana, "Mary Jane," his song of praise to underage girls, "17," and his signature, sexy "Super Freak," this anthology of Rick James`s classic 1970s and `80s tracks is an irresistible mix of classic R&B, disco, and the kind of funk that Prince was later to make his own. Taking his Parliament/Funkadelic influence all the way to the bank, James`s "Cold Blooded" and "Love Gun" broke new ground in sensual dance music; also included here are "Ebony Eyes," his sophisticated-sounding collaboration with Smokey Robinson, and "Standing on the Top," recorded with the Temptations. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Funkadelic – Let`s Take It To The Stage $16.82 Funkadelic: Gary Shider (vocals, guitar); Bernie Worrell (vocals, keyboards); William "Bootsy" Collins, Cordell Mosson (vocals, bass); Calvin Simon (vocals, congas); George Clinton, Fuzzy Haskins, Grady Thomas (vocals); Michael Hampton, Eddie Hazel (guitar); Bill Nelson (bass); Tiki Fulwood (percussion); Ron Bykowski.Additional personnel includes: Paul Warren, Reggie McBride, Frosty, Mello Garcia, Honeys, Denise Hurd, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper, Telma Hopkins, Joyce Vincent.Recorded at Hollywood Studios, Hollywood, California & United Sound, Detroit, Michigan.Despite it`s misleading title, Funkadelic`s LET`S TAKE IT TO THE STAGE is not a live album. This 1975 studio release is what many Funkadelic aficionados consider the band`s last true rock-funk album, before Clinton and Co. concentrated entirely on more dance-based and radio-friendly material. It is also the first Parliament-Funkadelic release to prominently feature the talents of the groups` recently acquired bassist, the outrageous Bootsy Collins, whom many regard as the very embodiment of funk. LET`S TAKE IT TO THE STAGE also finds Parliament-Funkadelic on the verge of shedding its long-lived cult status and finally reaching wide spread commercial success.The title track, in which shots are taken at other popular `70s funk figures (such as Sly and even the Godfather of Soul, James Brown), gloriously displays the band`s sense of humor. So do the sexually suggestive "No Head No Backstage Pass" and the album`s party-anthem highlight, "Get Off Your Ass And Jam." Other top funk workouts include "Stuffs & Things," "Better By The Pound," "Good To Your Earhole," the more serene "Be My Beach," and the album-closing, largely instrumental "Atmosphere." LET`S TAKE IT TO THE STAGE continues Funkadelic`s winning `70s streak. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Parliament – P-Funk Earth Tour $13.84 Parliament: Garry Shider, Glen Goins (vocals, guitar); George Clinton, Calvin Simon, Fuzzy Haskins, Raymond Davis, Grady Thomas, Debbie Wright, Jeanette Washington (vocals); Michael Hampton, Eddie Hazel (guitar); Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Rick Gardner, Richard Griffith (horns); Bernie Worrell (keyboards, synthesizers); Cordell Mosson, William "Bootsy" Collins (bass); Jerome Brailey (drums, percussion); Lynn Mabry, Dawn Silva, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper (background vocals).Recorded live at the Los Angeles Forum, Los Angeles, California on January 21, 1977.Although studio manipulation was a huge part of George Clinton`s Parliament and Funkadelic records of the `70s–think of the vocodered voices and tape tricks all over albums like MOTOR-BOOTY AFFAIR and ONE NATION UNDER A GROOVE–funk is by nature a live music. 1977`s P-FUNK EARTH TOUR, then, is an essential document of Clinton`s tribes at the height of their collective power, stripping down and reworking their sleek and powerful grooves into entirely new shapes. With a set list that comes primarily from 1975`s MOTHERSHIP CONNECTION and the follow-up CLONES OF DOCTOR FUNKENSTEIN, and a lineup drawn from both Parliament and Funkadelic–both psychedelic soul guitarist Eddie Hazel and Fred Wesley`s gutbucket Horny Horns are on hand–Clinton and company simply burn throughout. From the loose, wobbly jazz of the opening "P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)" through to a blinding fusion of the apocalyptic "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk)" and the crowd-participation "Get Off Your Ass and Jam," this is absolutely as good as funk gets. This CD version omits one of the two studio tracks, "Fantasy Is Reality," which can be found on the compilation TEAR THE ROOF OFF. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

George Clinton (Funk) – Greatest Hits [Capitol] $8.85 Includes liner notes by Tom Vickers.Digitally remastered by Evren Goknar.George Clinton`s solo output of the 1980s and 1990s wasn`t as consistent as his work with Parliament/Funkadelic in the 1970s — nonetheless, the P-Funk innovator has had his share of inspired moments as a solo artist, and some of his best solo recordings are united on this collection. Released in 2000, Greatest Hits spans 1976-1986 and draws on such solo albums as Computer Games, You Shouldn`t-Nuf Bit Fish, Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends, and R&B Skeletons in the Closet. The oldest recording is the bonus track, a live Parliament/Funkadelic medley of "Let`s Take It to the Stage" and "Do That Stuff" from a 1976 Houston show; most of the selections, however, come from Clinton`s Capitol solo albums of 1982-1986. Not surprisingly, the CD opens with "Atomic Dog," Clinton`s best-known and most essential solo hit. And The Right Stuff`s other choices are also wise ones, including "Do Fries Go With That Shake?," "Cool Joe," "Loopzilla," "Hey Good Lookin`," and the quirky rap item "Nubian Nut." Greatest Hits isn`t the last word on George Clinton`s solo career, but if you need a concise introduction to the funkmeister`s Capitol efforts of the 1980s, it`s the logical place to go. ~ Alex Henderson Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! $7.98 Bootsy Collins’ debut solo album, Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band, was an extremely tough act to follow, but thankfully, there are no signs of a sophomore slump (either creatively or commercially) on his second album, Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! Most P-funk addicts consider this 1977 LP essential listening, and it isn’t hard to see why they feel that way. Everything on the album is excellent; that is true of up-tempo smokers like “The Pinocchio Theory” and the title song as well as slow, moody, eerie offerings such as “What’s a Telephone Bill?” and “Munchies for Your Love.” The lyrics are consistently humorous and clever, the grooves are consistently infectious. You can think of Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! as a meeting of the funk minds — Collins produced this record with his mentor, George Clinton, who co-wrote all of the material. So Clinton has a lot of input and gives Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! the distinctive P-funk sound that Parliament/Funkadelic was known for. But at the same time, he encourages Collins’ originality — Bootsy’s Rubber Band sounds like a Parliament/Funkadelic spin-off (which is exactly what it was), but not a Parliament/Funkadelic clone. Without question, Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! is essential listening for lovers of hard 1970s funk. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music GuidePerformers: The Brecker Brothers – Horn; Rick Gardner – Horn, Trumpet; Richard “Kush” Griffith – Horn; Maceo Parker – Horn, Saxophone; Fred Wesley – Horn, Trombone; Jerome Brailey – Drums; Randy Brecker – Saxophone; Casper – Bass, Drums, Guitar, Space Bass; Bootsy Collins – Bass, Drums, Guitar, Space Bass, Vocals; Phelps “Catfish” Collins – Bass, Guitar; Gary “Mudbone” Cooper – Drums, Vocals;

Les Claypool – The Big Eyeball in the Sky CD $14.99 Les Claypool, along with Buckethead on guitar, Brain on drums, and original Parliament/Funkadelic member Bernie Worrell on keyboards, released their debut album ‘The Big Eyeball In The Sky’ September 21st on Prawn Song Records. Claypool characterizes the band as “a traveling, oversized sock-puppet show spawned by the characters of a Tobe Hooper film and scored by Danny Elfman on bad acid.” The 11 songs were written and recorded last year by the four band members and feature a unique collaborative sound. Check samples of the songs on the new site here: http://c2b3.com/ Les: “The chemistry between this particular ensemble has been extremely inspirational and working with Bernie Worrell has been a constant source of amazement. He is without a doubt one of the true musical geniuses of our time.” “The majority of the lyrics on this record were written at the onset of the Iraq confrontation” explains Claypool, “so it was very difficult not to be influenced by the frustration and confusion that was felt by myself and the people around me – though somewhat dark, I tried to cloak my angst, conveying thoughts through the eyes of colorful and satirical characters.” This CD’s package reaches new levels of superiority, with an embossed silver foil cover image!

Apple $12.71 Unleashed just as the disco phenomenon had peaked and was slipping out of public favor, this one-of-a-kind pop musical is set in 1994, when a Mephistophelean entrepreneur named Mr. Boogalow (Vladek Sheybal) controls the international recording industry through the Worldvision Song Contest. Boogalow’s wildly theatrical protégés, a decedent dance-pop group called Bim, seem a sure bet to walk off with the grand prize and worldwide fame, but at the last minute Alphie (George Gilmour) and Bibi (Catherine Mary Stewart), a folk duo from Canada, nearly steal their thunder with their song Love, the Universal Melody. While Boogalow rigs a victory for Bim, he sees moneymaking potential in Alphie and Bibi and offers to sign them to a contract. Alphie, suspicious of Boogalow, declines, but Bibi leaps at the chance, and is soon remodeled into a stylish pop star while heart-broken Alphie throws in his lot with a gang of hippies living in the park. Bibi comes to regard fame and wealth as hollow and empty, but discovers walking away from Boogalow is easier said than done. Featuring an inarguably remarkable finale, The Apple was shot primarily in Germany, despite being set in the United States; while George Clinton is credited with writing lyrics for several of the original tunes, be advised it’s not the same George Clinton who led Parliament and Funkadelic in the 1970s and ’80s. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Alfred Drum Tips Part II – Double Bass Drumming/Funky Drummers DVD $29.95 This DVD focuses on 2 different styles of drumming, comparing and contrasting the secrets of great musicians. Double Bass Drumming features in-depth practical information from several experienced professionals who offer their tips on developing your double bass techniques. This section features Terry Bozzio, Simon Phillips, Rod Morgenstein, and Joe Franco as they come together to discuss their tips on exercises, beats, fills, and soloing ideas. This section is great for exposing beginner to the world of double bass drumming as well as a refresher to help sharpen the skills of experienced players. Funky Drummers follows 4 of the most influential drummers through 3 decades of funk drumming. This stylistic journey begins with the soul-jazz influenced funk of the early ’70s with Mike Clark and bassist Paul Jackson (of Herbie Hancock’s band). The program then focuses on the legendary Oakland strokes of David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), continues on into the heavy pocket of Dennis Chambers (Parliament/Funkadelic), and evolves into the ’90s funk-rock hybrid of the Red Hot Chili Peppers with Chad Smith and bassist Flea. Each drummer discusses their own personal style while demonstrating some of the most modern and influential grooves in the world.

Alfred The Total Funk Drummer by Pete Sweeney Book/CD $17.99 The Total Funk Drummer is a unique and exciting journey through the diverse world of funk drumming. You’ll start with basic instruction on keeping time, and end up playing highly syncopated beats and fills using advanced techniques like linear drumming. The drum lessons cover many of the styles that make funk drumming so challenging, yet incredibly rewarding to master, and is meant for all players—from beginners to advanced drummers. You’ll learn what distinguishes one funk style from the next and how to drum for New Orleans funk, R&B, soul to ’70s funk, modern alternative funk, drum ‘n’ bass, and hip-hop. You’ll also learn drum beats in the styles of famous funk artists like The Meters, Herbie Hancock, James Brown, The Funk Brothers, Booker T. & the MG’s, Tower of Power, Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more. The instructional CD features a full band demonstrating the examples in the book.

Cameo – The Definitive Collection [Remaster] * $13.98 Cameo: Charlie Singleton (vocals, various instruments); Nathan Leftenant (vocals, trumpet); Larry Blackmon (vocals, bass guitar, drums, percussion); Tomi Jenkins (vocals).Though it took a while for Cameo to break in the U.S. (they`d had two hit U.K. singles before their first American hit, "Word Up"), their sound was to become synonymous with 1980s R&B. This collection of hits and album tracks collects `80s dance classics like "Single Life" and "She`s Strange," all featuring the group`s sonic signature of Larry Blackmon`s idiosyncratic vocals, synthetic drums, and a popping bass line. The influence of Parliament/Funkadelic is obvious in cuts like "Rigor Mortis" and "Talkin` Out the Side of Your Neck," while "Candy" and "Back & Forth" are the kind of sunny pop/R&B that was unfortunately all but extinct by the `90s. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

The Total Funk Drummer (PACKAGE) $15.43 The Total Funk Drummer is a unique and exciting journey through the diverse world of funk drumming. You`ll start with basic lessons on keeping time, and end up playing highly syncopated beats and fills using advanced techniques like linear drumming. This book features many of the styles that make funk drumming so challenging, yet rewarding, and is meant for all players¿?from beginners to advanced drummers. Learn everything from New Orleans funk, R&B, and soul to `70s funk, modern alternative funk, drum `n` bass, and hip-hop. You`ll also learn drum beats in the styles of famous funk artists like The Meters, Herbie Hancock, James Brown, The Funk Brothers, Booker T. & the MG`s, Tower of Power, Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more. The CD features a full band demonstrating the examples in the book. This is the only book you`ll need to become a great funk drummer.

Betty Davis – They Say I`m Different $13.98 Funky soul singer Betty Davis`s provocative debut album features 8 sexually-charged songs, including "He Was A Big Freak" and "They Say I`m Different."The remarkable cover photo presents 1970s funk singer Betty Davis as a sort of Glamazon huntress, complete with stacked heels and a majestic afro. The contents of Davis` second album, originally released in 1974, are every bit as provocative: THEY SAY I`M DIFFERENT is the libidinous Davis`s most sexually charged album by some distance, with songs like "He Was A Big Freak" and "Don`t Call Her No Tramp" detailing sexual fetishes and prostitution in plain-spoken detail. The bottom-heavy synthesizer and clavinet-based arrangements and production sound quite similar to what George Clinton was doing with Parliament and Funkadelic during this period. The 2007 reissue on Light In The Attic Records adds four alternate versions. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Funkadelic – U.S. Music With Funkadelic $19.79 This long-lost Funkadelic gem was recorded and mixed in 1972, but never released. By the early `70s, George Clinton and company were suffering from problems with personnel and labels, yet continued recording as a side-project called U.S. (standing for United Soul). The group included key members of Funkadelic, including Clinton and Bernie Worrell, and featured newly recruited singer, songwriter, and guitarist Gary Shider (who later became a permanent member of Parliament-Funkadelic).The album departs from the dark, psychedelic meanderings of the band`s first three albums and moves in a more song-oriented direction with an emphasis on rock guitar and grooves. Shider, in particular, shines on "Baby, I Owe You Something Good" and "Broken Heart," but the whole set serves to remind that Funkadelic were among the best (if underrated) bands of the era. The 2009 release of U.S. MUSIC gives funkateers everywhere cause to rejoice. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Too Short – Gettin` It (Album Number Ten) [PA] $8.99 Description:"It`s been a long time since I first got down, but I still keep makin` these funky sounds." That about sums up Too Short`s tenth (and final?) effort, a typically easy-to-listen-to, funky, smooth-grooved release. East Oakland`s Too Short is still exploring the themes he`s always been drawn to: the struggle to "make it" in a tough world ("Survivin` the Game"); money and its attractions as well as its evils ("Gettin` It"); and, of course, sexual attraction ("I`ve Been Watching You").The artist also known as "Short Dog" is joined by some major talent here, including Parliament-Funkadelic and Erick Sermon. The trademark easygoing, unruffled style is still there, and the raps are, as always, straight-up and real. Fans of this tenacious rapper won`t be disappointed, but be warned: The disc opens with the claim that this will be "the last album." Stay tuned. Track Listing: DISC 1 Gettin` It Survivin` the Game That`s Why Bad Ways F**k My Car Take My B**ch Buy You Some Pimp Me Baby D Nasty Rhymes Never Talk Down I Must Confess So Watcha Sayin` I've Been Watching You

Drum Tips Part II – Double Bass Drumming/Funky Drummers (DVD) $26.72 The DRUM TIPS series brings together several of the world s greatest drummers, each providing his own drumming insights, techniques, and philosophies to a power-packed program. This DVD focuses on two different styles of drumming, allowing you to compare and contrast the secrets of each of these great musicians. DOUBLE BASS DRUMMING features in-depth practical information from several experienced professionals who offer their tips on developing your double bass drumming techniques. This section features Terry Bozzio, Simon Phillips, Rod Morgenstein, and Joe Franco as they come together to discuss their tips on exercises, beats, fills, and soloing ideas. This section is great for exposing the ultimate beginner to the world of double bass drumming as well as a refresher to help sharpen the skills of those experienced players. FUNKY DRUMMERS follows four of the most influential drummers through three decades of funk drumming. This stylistic journey begins with the soul-jazz influenced funk of the early 70s with Mike Clark and bassist Paul Jackson (Herbie Hancock). The program then focuses on the legendary Oakland strokes of David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), continues on into the heavy pocket of Dennis Chambers (Parliament Funkadelic), and evolves into the 90`s funk-rock hybrid of the Red Hot Chili Peppers with Chad Smith and bassist Flea. Each drummer discusses their own personal style while demonstrating some of the most modern and influential grooves in the world.

Quality (Explicit Version) $10.99 Quality is about me growing as a man and as an artist and continuing what I’ve been known to always do, which is place quality over quantity, Kweli explains. I will never do a record without some sense of responsibility. Even if you don’t agree with what I have to say, even if I’m speaking something that’s not relevant to your life, you’ll still be able to appreciate it. Musically, Kweli enlisted many of today’s leading hip-hop producers to lay Quality’s sonic foundation, including Ayatollah, Dave West, Megahertz, Kanye West, Jay Dee, DJ Quik, the Soulquarians, Da’ Houd and DJ Scratch. Kweli also collaborated with a host of notable guest stars, including his Rawkus label mates Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and newly-signed hip-hop-soul singer Novel, along with Common, Black Thought, Res and Bilal, whose mighty voice enhances the album’s first single, Waitin’ For The DJ, an upbeat dance groove that recalls Parliament-Funkadelic.

The Total Funk Drummer $12.43 The Total Funk Drummer is a unique and exciting journey through the diverse world of funk drumming. You”ll start with basic lessons on keeping time, and end up playing highly syncopated beats and fills using advanced techniques like linear drumming. This book features many of the styles that make funk drumming so challenging, yet rewarding, and is meant for all players?from beginners to advanced drummers. Learn everything from New Orleans funk, R&B, and soul to ”70s funk, modern alternative funk, drum ”n” bass, and hip-hop. You”ll also learn drum beats in the styles of famous funk artists like The Meters, Herbie Hancock, James Brown, The Funk Brothers, Booker T. & the MG”s, Tower of Power, Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more. The CD features a full band demonstrating the examples in the book. This is the only book you”ll need to become a great funk drummer.

Apple, The $13.46 Unleashed just as the disco phenomenon had peaked and was slipping out of public favor, this one-of-a-kind pop musical is set in 1994, when a Mephistophelean entrepreneur named Mr. Boogalow (Vladek Sheybal) controls the international recording industry through the Worldvision Song Contest. Boogalow’s wildly theatrical protégà s, a decedent dance-pop group called Bim, seem a sure bet to walk off with the grand prize and worldwide fame, but at the last minute Alphie (George Gilmour) and Bibi (Catherine Mary Stewart), a folk duo from Canada, nearly steal their thunder with their song Love, the Universal Melody. While Boogalow rigs a victory for Bim, he sees moneymaking potential in Alphie and Bibi and offers to sign them to a contract. Alphie, suspicious of Boogalow, declines, but Bibi leaps at the chance, and is soon remodeled into a stylish pop star while heart-broken Alphie throws in his lot with a gang of hippies living in the park. Bibi comes to regard fame and wealth as hollow and empty, but discovers walking away from Boogalow is easier said than done. Featuring an inarguably remarkable finale, The Apple was shot primarily in Germany, despite being set in the United States; while George Clinton is credited with writing lyrics for several of the original tunes, be advised it’s not the same George Clinton who led Parliament and Funkadelic in the 1970s and ’80s. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cloverfield $15.16 Director Matt Reeves (THE PALLBEARER) and producer J. J. Abrams (LOST, ALIAS) turn a mysterious monster loose in Manhattan in the disaster flick CLOVERFIELD. The movie begins at a party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who has accepted a promotion that will send him to Japan. Hud (T. J. Miller) is entrusted with the responsibility of videotaping the party–and as the trouble grows, he holds on to the camera, recording everything that happens. In fact, the entire movie is seen through the lens of his camera, reminiscent of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. As terrified people in a post-9/11 New York City take to the streets, Rob decides to head uptown to try to save Beth (Odette Yustman), the woman he loves, though he’s afraid to tell her so. Rob is joined by his brother Jason (Mike Vogel), Jason’s girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas), Lily’s friend Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), and Hud, who has a thing for Marlena. Rob is determined not to give up, even after almost being crushed by the Statue of Liberty’s head and as the military shows up to force evacuation of the city. Reeves and first-time screenwriter Drew Goddard, who previously has written television episodes of such series as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL, ALIAS, and LOST, focus in on the central aspect of the story: people trying to survive the monster attack. Very little else is explained, since the story is told completely through the video camera. And there is no additional score to heighten the drama; the only music is that which is picked up by Hud and the camera’s microphone, including snippets of songs by Kings of Leon, Parliament Funkadelic, Of Montreal, and others. The anticipation of CLOVERFIELD’s release was enhanced by a viral marketing campaign that included Web sites built around the main characters and even the fictional drink Slusho. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Cloverfield [Spanish Version] $15.16 Director Matt Reeves (THE PALLBEARER) and producer J. J. Abrams (LOST, ALIAS) turn a mysterious monster loose in Manhattan in the disaster flick CLOVERFIELD. The movie begins at a party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who has accepted a promotion that will send him to Japan. Hud (T. J. Miller) is entrusted with the responsibility of videotaping the party–and as the trouble grows, he holds on to the camera, recording everything that happens. In fact, the entire movie is seen through the lens of his camera, reminiscent of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. As terrified people in a post-9/11 New York City take to the streets, Rob decides to head uptown to try to save Beth (Odette Yustman), the woman he loves, though he’s afraid to tell her so. Rob is joined by his brother Jason (Mike Vogel), Jason’s girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas), Lily’s friend Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), and Hud, who has a thing for Marlena. Rob is determined not to give up, even after almost being crushed by the Statue of Liberty’s head and as the military shows up to force evacuation of the city. Reeves and first-time screenwriter Drew Goddard, who previously has written television episodes of such series as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL, ALIAS, and LOST, focus in on the central aspect of the story: people trying to survive the monster attack. Very little else is explained, since the story is told completely through the video camera. And there is no additional score to heighten the drama; the only music is that which is picked up by Hud and the camera’s microphone, including snippets of songs by Kings of Leon, Parliament Funkadelic, Of Montreal, and others. The anticipation of CLOVERFIELD’s release was enhanced by a viral marketing campaign that included Web sites built around the main characters and even the fictional drink Slusho. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Cloverfield [Halloween 3D Lenticular Packaging] $12.88 Director Matt Reeves (THE PALLBEARER) and producer J. J. Abrams (LOST, ALIAS) turn a mysterious monster loose in Manhattan in the disaster flick CLOVERFIELD. The movie begins at a party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who has accepted a promotion that will send him to Japan. Hud (T. J. Miller) is entrusted with the responsibility of videotaping the party–and as the trouble grows, he holds on to the camera, recording everything that happens. In fact, the entire movie is seen through the lens of his camera, reminiscent of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. As terrified people in a post-9/11 New York City take to the streets, Rob decides to head uptown to try to save Beth (Odette Yustman), the woman he loves, though he’s afraid to tell her so. Rob is joined by his brother Jason (Mike Vogel), Jason’s girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas), Lily’s friend Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), and Hud, who has a thing for Marlena. Rob is determined not to give up, even after almost being crushed by the Statue of Liberty’s head and as the military shows up to force evacuation of the city. Reeves and first-time screenwriter Drew Goddard, who previously has written television episodes of such series as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL, ALIAS, and LOST, focus in on the central aspect of the story: people trying to survive the monster attack. Very little else is explained, since the story is told completely through the video camera. And there is no additional score to heighten the drama; the only music is that which is picked up by Hud and the camera’s microphone, including snippets of songs by Kings of Leon, Parliament Funkadelic, Of Montreal, and others. The anticipation of CLOVERFIELD’s release was enhanced by a viral marketing campaign that included Web sites built around the main characters and even the fictional drink Slusho. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Cloverfield [Blu-ray] $22.76 Director Matt Reeves (THE PALLBEARER) and producer J. J. Abrams (LOST, ALIAS) turn a mysterious monster loose in Manhattan in the disaster flick CLOVERFIELD. The movie begins at a party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who has accepted a promotion that will send him to Japan. Hud (T. J. Miller) is entrusted with the responsibility of videotaping the party–and as the trouble grows, he holds on to the camera, recording everything that happens. In fact, the entire movie is seen through the lens of his camera, reminiscent of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. As terrified people in a post-9/11 New York City take to the streets, Rob decides to head uptown to try to save Beth (Odette Yustman), the woman he loves, though he’s afraid to tell her so. Rob is joined by his brother Jason (Mike Vogel), Jason’s girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas), Lily’s friend Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), and Hud, who has a thing for Marlena. Rob is determined not to give up, even after almost being crushed by the Statue of Liberty’s head and as the military shows up to force evacuation of the city. Reeves and first-time screenwriter Drew Goddard, who previously has written television episodes of such series as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL, ALIAS, and LOST, focus in on the central aspect of the story: people trying to survive the monster attack. Very little else is explained, since the story is told completely through the video camera. And there is no additional score to heighten the drama; the only music is that which is picked up by Hud and the camera’s microphone, including snippets of songs by Kings of Leon, Parliament Funkadelic, Of Montreal, and others. The anticipation of CLOVERFIELD’s release was enhanced by a viral marketing campaign that included Web sites built around the main characters and even the fictional drink Slusho. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Still Stuck in Your Throat [Japan Bonus CD] $40.99 Although Fishbone has not troubled the charts in over a decade, the Los Angeles-based ska/punk band never broke up or stopped touring; on the contrary. With only singer/saxophonist Angelo Moore and bassist John Norwood Fisher remaining from the original lineup, the group has passed the 20-year mark as a performing unit, which is long enough for it to have become established in the ’80s nostalgia circuit. Not surprisingly, its last two albums have been live collections, Live at the Temple Bar and More (2002) and Live in Amsterdam (2005). The guest-star-filled The Psychotic Friends Nuttwerx (2000) was the band’s last studio album until Still Stuck in Your Throat, the title of which is both a play on Fishbone’s name and a reminder that the group hasn’t ever gone away. Like many bands making a new album after many years, especially those that have undergone extensive personnel changes, the group seems to have been concerned with delivering tracks that sound like classic Fishbone. Those frantic ska rhythms and that belligerent punk attitude are therefore in place, along with Fishbone’s characteristic quirkiness in titles like “Jack Ass Brigade,” “Let Dem Ho’s Fight,” and the slightly dated “Party with Saddam.” Moore, Fisher, and co. also evoke such funk predecessors as Parliament-Funkadelic, notably in the lengthy “We Just Lose Our Minds.” But if Still Stuck in Your Throat sounds convincingly like a Fishbone record, that’s not to say it sounds like a great one. David Kahne, who produced some of their great albums, returns to mix this one, but he would have been more useful in his old job, helping to sort out arrangements and performances that sometimes become raucous to the point of near-chaos. It isn’t until the end with their cover of Sublime’s “Date Rape” (repeated from the tribute album Look at All the Love We Found) that the current members of Fishbone actually sound like they’re enjoying themselves on an album they probably would prefer not to call a comeback attempt. [The 2007 Japanese edition came packaged with an additional CD of bonus material.] ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi

Boston T Party $21.98 In the ’80s, there appeared to be an onslaught of fusion releases that managed to incorporate elements of funk into the mix, while also favoring an incredibly clean production. Although the style appeared to go largely out of vogue in the ’90s, several veteran players continued to stick to their guns, including drummer extraordinaire Dennis Chambers. Chambers has been releasing solo albums since the late ’90s, yet he’s probably best known as a hired gun, having played alongside several renowned artists of the rock world — Santana, Steely Dan, and Parliament-Funkadelic — as well as guitarist John Scofield. In 2006, Chambers united with three other musicians equally skilled on their respective instruments — bassist Jeff Berlin, guitarist Dave “Fuze” Fiuczynski, and keyboardist T. Lavitz — and issued the ten-track jamfest Boston T Party. If you’re a fan of expertly played modern-day fusion jams, Boston T Party should certainly be your cup of tea, as evidenced by such tracks as “D’funk’d” and “Around About Way.” But if it’s tight song structures you’re after, Boston T Party is the complete opposite. ~ Greg Prato, RoviPerformers: David Fiuczynski – Fretless Bass, Frets; Jeff Berlin – Bass; Dennis Chambers – Drums; T Lavitz – Keyboards

The Down and Dirty $9.98 When Ben Sidran formed a partnership with Liquid 8 Records in the 2000s and helped launch Nardis Music, those who were knowledgeable of his history had a good idea what to expect from the new label. Although essentially a jazz vocalist, Sidran is far from a jazz snob; he’s interested in both jazz and R&B, and Nardis Music was bound to reflect that. The label is named after a Miles Davis standard from the ’50s, which is appropriate because the late trumpeter shared Sidran’s enthusiasm for soul and funk — Davis wasn’t a jazz purist or a bop snob and had no use for those who were. Released on Nardis Music in January 2004, this compilation underscores Sidran’s interest in jazz as well as soul and funk. Former James Brown drummer Clyde Stubblefield’s funky “The Original” was recorded especially for Nardis, but many of the selections were previously released on Sidran’s Go Jazz label — and whether a particular recording was actually made for Go Jazz or Nardis Music, there’s no doubt that The Down and Dirty is Sidran’s baby. Parts of this CD are relevant to jazz, including two Sidran performances (“Like a Boat on the Water” and “I’m Not Talking”) and Gegé Telesforo’s version of Clark Terry’s “Mumbles.” But Joy and the Boy’s remake of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” isn’t jazz or even soul-jazz — it’s straight-up soul, pure and simple. This release isn’t recommended to jazz snobs but rather listeners who hold jazz and R&B in equally high regard — the sort of listeners who would have no problem listening to Lee Morgan or Jimmy Heath one minute and Parliament/Funkadelic the next. And those who fit that description will find The Down and Dirty to be a generally decent, if slightly uneven, reflection of Sidran’s tastes. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Father Divine $12.98 Mike Ladd’s mellow approach to hip-hop isn’t so much a weakness as it is knowing what makes a good old-school groove and sticking to it. “Apt. C2″ is a somewhat ambient, airy track featuring a nice bassline that isn’t quite trip-hop but nears that territory. “Awful Raw” features harder, rapid-fire rhymes that are accented perfectly by a thick backbeat that is catchy and ominous at the same time. However, “Crooner Island” is an acquired taste of hip-hop with spacy synthesizers and keyboards veering in and out. The arrangement, which has a hint of Middle Eastern flavor to it, might be better suited for someone like Sean Paul. Ladd, with some assistance from Gymkhana and drummer Damali Young, isn’t into hardcore or gangster rap. Instead, as is the case with “Barney’s Girl,” he seems to have more in common with Parliament-Funkadelic than 50 Cent or the Game. The album’s hidden track, “Baptism by Radio,” is a bouncy rap with subtle keyboards and synthesizers. Fans of Snoop Dogg or K-Os would enjoy the radio-friendly pop of “Ike Turner Dub” with what sounds like steel drums used deep in the mix. The sleeper pick might be the heady and loose psychedelic-meets-dub instrumental “Little Red.” After fading out, the song returns with vengeance. It morphs into a wall of sound prior to changing into a slick retro-electro romp in the vein of “Axl F.” Another experiment gone right is “Murder Girl,” although is a bit brief. Overall Ladd has made a divine album indeed. ~ Jason MacNeil, All Music GuidePerformers: Jaleel Bunton – Guitar; Vijay Iyer – Keyboards, Piano; Raz Mesinai – Percussion

Zapp $5.99 Released in 1980 just as George Clinton’s P-funk empire had reached the brink of its existence, Bootsy protégé Roger Troutman proved himself a worthy successor with Zapp’s self-titled debut album and its subsequent two follow-ups. In actuality, Zapp originally was a branch of the Parliament/Funkadelic collective, as group leader Roger Troutman was originally signed to Clinton’s short-lived CBS subsidiary, Uncle Jam Records. After Troutman completed the album with CBS’ money, Clinton’s help, and Bootsy’s production, Warner Bros. stepped in, offered Roger a considerable sum of money, and slyly bought the album — leaving a distressed Clinton with no Zapp album for his shaky boutique label. Propelled by the dancefloor smash “More Bounce to the Ounce,” the album quickly became a considerable hit. It was here that Troutman first defined the vocoder-laden funk aesthetic that would become his trademark for the remainder of his career. In addition to the near ten-minute “More Bounce,” the album also featured “Be Alright,” another epic jam that slowed down the funk to a smoked-out, almost ballad-like tempo (both songs would later fuel numerous early-’90s West Coast rap hits via sampling). Of the remaining four songs, “Funky Bounce” and “Brand New Player” also stand as perennial standouts, further affirming Troutman’s dense funk aesthetic. Later Zapp albums would have their moments, but this debut is absolutely solid from beginning to end, in addition to being the foundation from which Troutman would base all later work, and with “More Bounce to the Ounce” and “Be Alright,” it houses two of the best moments in ’80s funk. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide

Gang Rags $13.98 Being on the Psychopathic Records roster means Blaze Ya Dead Homie has a built-in loyal audience, but his slow release schedule of one album per every three years shows admirable restraint. Even if the horrorcore rapper sounds like a lazy version of Psychopathic stalwarts the Insane Clown Posse, the entertaining Gang Rags suggests the snail’s pace is actually about quality control and no parent-alienating, depravity-filled album shall be unleashed before its time. It might also be related to Psychopathic’s in-house producer Mike E. Clark’s availability, which would be a wise move judging from the killer set of tracks he’s crafted here. It’s a great mix as Blaze’s gruff delivery bounces off thumping basslines and speaker-ripping electro throughout the album, and when Parliament/Funkadelic-styled choruses figure into some of the tracks it’s a welcome influence from the rapper and producer’s hometown of Detroit. Sick humor laughs come from the oddball interludes and Blaze’s porn store punch lines like the supreme “Work it like a Shake Weight” from “Damn Bitch.” Loyal Psychopathic fans only need to peek at the guest list — featuring ICP, the Kottonmouth Kings, and the legendary Dayton Family — for their green light, but the skeptical should check the uproarious “Swine Flu” or the Alice Cooper meets Cypress Hill-sounding “3 Evil Wizards” for some prime cheap thrills. The true perv should jump right to the end of the album as “Tokyo Spa” visits one of Michigan’s most infamous “health spas” and gives a blow-by-blow description including driving directions, door fee, and suggested tipping rates. People who should avoid the album include the easily offended, cops, and the Tokyo Spa’s Mama-San. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi

The Revival $9.98 One of the more distinctive R&B groups of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Tony! Toni! Toné! managed to appeal to urban contemporary audiences while expressing a love of 1970s soul and funk. As high-tech as things get on its sophomore effort, The Revival, the Oakland trio never fails to sound organic and soulful. Funk smokers like “The Blues,” “Oakland Stroke,” “Let’s Have a Good Time,” and “Feels Good” (a major hit) may use technology extensively, but the soulsters always sound like they’re in control of the technology (as opposed to it controlling them). Drawing on influences ranging from Digital Underground to Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament/Funkadelic, and Prince, Tony! clearly like their funk down and dirty. And yet, the group sounds equally inspired on such laid-back and mellow slow jams as “I Care” and the hit “It Never Rains in Southern California.” Many of the urban contemporary releases of 1990 were gutless and homogenized, but The Revival is an album that had artistic integrity as well as commercial appeal. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music GuidePerformers: Keith Crouch – Synthesizer Bass; L.A. Jae – Turntables; Erich Baker – Guitar (Rhythm); Vanessa Williams – Vibraphone, Vocals; Tony! Toni! Toné! – Vocals

Hip Hop Essentials, Vol. 3 $13.98 With four nods on this third volume, the West Coast factors into Tommy Boy’s Hip Hop Essentials series more than ever, indicating the shifting balance of power between the coasts that started in the late ’80s. While a number of sources have made the rise of the West Coast synonymous with gangsta rap and nothing else, Tommy Boy helps remind those who forgot that there was also the Digital Underground (the lighthearted side of Parliament/Funkadelic in modernized hip-hop fatigues) and Tone-Loc (whose instant mainstream success uprooted him from his coastal affiliation). A somewhat sly move is the presence of both A Tribe Called Quest’s “Bonita Applebum” (“I’d like to kiss you where some brothas won’t”) and AMG’s “Bitch Betta Have My Money” (“Open up ya coach bag, bitch, so I can get laid”), two tracks with wildly divergent views of women. There’s a healthy mix of hallmarks (Big Daddy Kane’s “Ain’t No Half Steppin’”) and unexpected selections (at least six tracks are more representative of EPMD than “Gold Digger”). Again, the selective expletive censoring is baffling: “f*ck,” “sh*t,” “ass,” and the “n”-word are removed (most of the time), while anything that could potentially offend gays and women stays. Another potential gripe for listeners is that Eric B. & Rakim’s “Microphone Fiend” comes in its extended remix form with an entirely different beat (albeit a perfectly effective one), though it is not indicated in the track list. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi

Hit Me, Fred $13.48 With Hit Me, Fred, the sensational sideman Fred Wesley Jr. moves front and center to tell his life story. A legendary funk, soul, and jazz musician, Wesley is best known for his work in the late sixties and early seventies with James Brown and as the leader of Brown’s band, Fred Wesley and the JB’s. Having been the band’s music director, arranger, trombone player, and frequent composer, Wesley is one of the original architects of funk.“[Fred Wesley is] one of the most influential instrumentalist/composer/arrangers in the annals of R&B, soul-jazz, and hip-hop. . . [and] one of the most sampled musicians in the world today.”—Timothy White, Billboard“This book is straight up! Fred Wesley, he’ll tell you like it is, even if your feelings get hurt, but coming from Fred, for some reason it makes you wanna do better. The book is the bomb!!! Stories are stories but this is real life. Write on, Fred.”—Bootsy Collins“[W]hen James [Brown] and George [Clinton] are long gone, the music they brought to life between 1967 and 1977 will still be tearing the roof off the sucker—and Fred Wesley was an indispensable part of that revolution.”—Dan Warburton, Signal to Noise“[A] remarkable autobiography. . . . This candid and hilarious account of working alongside James Brown, Parliament/Funkadelic, and on his own, should solidify [Wesley’s] reputation as much as the music he created.”—Aaron Cohen, Down Beat“As passionately crafted as one of [Wesley’s] solos, Hit Me, Fred becomes a shout-out to all sidemen who play their hearts out—just outside the spotlight. As a musician, Wesley could always capture the feverish moment. Now, as a storyteller, he has revealed yet another way to take us higher.”—Renee Graham, Boston Globe

Funkadelic – Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On $13.28 Personnel: Calvin Simon (vocals, tenor, congas); Garry Shider (vocals, guitar); Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins (vocals); Ron Byowski, Ron Bykowski (guitar); Leon Patillo (piano); Gary Bronson (drums); Tyrone Lampkin (percussion).Liner Note Author: Dean Rudland.Recording information: Crystal Sound, Los Angeles, CA; Hollywood Sound, Hollywood, CA; Manta Eastern Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; United Sound, Detroit, MI.Funkadelic`s 1974 release STANDING ON THE VERGE OF GETTING IT ON proved to be a continuation of the more consolidated direction laid down on its predecessor, COSMIC SLOP. But STANDING is the better and stronger album, and easily Funkadelic`s most consistent work since the classic MAGGOT BRAIN. Even though the band`s members were, at the time, doing double duty in the more commercially oriented Parliament, Funkadelic maintained its complete allegiance here to wildly experimental, rock-influenced music.The album begins with a lighthearted poem read by two band members, their voices sped up to sound like The Chipmunks. This leads directly into the vicious funk-rock of "Red Hot Mama" and the absolutely raging rocker, "Alice In My Fantasies." The mood calms down briefly for the soulful "I`ll Stay" and the playful pop of "Sexy Ways." There are jazzy moments ("Jimmy`s Got A Little Bit Of Bitch In Him"), and meditative instrumentals ("Good Thoughts, Bad Thoughts"), but the topper is the title track, a manically exuberant jam that still ranks among P-funk`s greatest moments. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Heatwave – Central Heating $6.92 If you could use only one adjective to describe Heatwave`s sound, it would be "smooth." The band`s romantic ballads and slow jams were the epitome of smooth, and that adjective also describes many of their up-tempo funk grooves. This isn`t to say that Heatwave`s funk lacked grit — it had plenty of grit, but even so, it was an undeniably smoother style of funk than Parliament/Funkadelic, James Brown, Tower of Power, Rick James, or the Bar-Kays. In fact, when Kool & the Gang switched to a smoother, sleeker approach in 1979 and hired J.T. Taylor as its new lead vocalist, Heatwave was a big influence. The Kool & the Gang that emerged on 1979`s Ladies` Night is certainly a lot more Heatwave-like than the gutbucket, down-and-dirty Kool & the Gang of "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging." And it isn`t hard to hear the parallels between Taylor and Heatwave`s Johnnie Wilder. It`s safe to assume that when Kool & the Gang was reinventing itself, its members had Too Hot to Handle and Central Heating in their collections. With this excellent sophomore effort, Heatwave lived up to the promise it showed on Too Hot to Handle. The invigorating funk smash "The Groove Line" became a disco-era anthem, and the album`s other big hit, "Mind Blowing Decisions," is a quiet-storm classic. From up-tempo funk grooves like "Party Poops" and "Put the Word Out" to the romantic Northern soul of "Happiness Togetherness" and "Leaving for a Dream," Central Heating is among Heatwave`s strongest releases. ~ Alex Henderson Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Eddie Hazel (Funk) – Jams From The Heart $11.98 Eddie Hazel rose to fame in the early `70s as part of George Clinton`s Parliament/Funkadelic troupe. An extremely talented and underappreciated guitarist/songwriter, Hazel had no problem nailing down Hendrix-like guitar freakouts ("Maggot Brain") or nasty, straight-up funk ("Loose Booty," "Red Hot Mama"). Although drug abuse would hinder his talents (he went to prison in the late `70s and eventually died in 1993 because of it), Hazel still came through when inspired and focused. Although he did release one official solo album in 1977 (Games, Dames & Guitar Thangs), there wasn`t much material left behind where the listener could hear Eddie cut loose on guitar due to the Clinton-generated pressure to write a hit single. All of this is solved by the Jams From the Heart EP, which features some of Eddie`s greatest playing ever committed to tape. The tracks are from a 1975 studio session, when he was laying down demos for his upcoming solo debut. Quite simply, Eddie rips on guitar. "Smedley Smorganoff" opens up with Eddie getting the feel for the other musicians, while the near 12-minute "Lampoc Boogie" is the near-ultimate guitar showcase for Hazel (the above-mentioned "Maggot Brain" gets top honors). The gut-wrenching ballad "From the Bottom of My Heart" is another long track and is the only song on the album to contain vocals. The final selection, the short "Unkut Funk," features some great band interplay on a fat groove, which wraps up the EP nicely. A wonderful introduction for those curious about the many talents of Eddie Hazel, especially since it`s nearly 30 minutes long yet priced as a mini-album. [Note: the first pressing of Jams From the Heart didn`t contain personnel and track listings. Later pressings did.] ~ Greg Prato Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

The Chambers Brothers – The Time Has Come [Remaster] $6.92 The Chambers Brothers: Lester Chambers, Willie Chambers, Joe Chambers, George Chambers, Brian Keeney.Producer: David Rubinson.Reissue producer: Bob Irwin.Recorded between 1966 and 1967.Includes liner notes by Peter Knobler.A black four-piece vocal group with a white drummer in the `60s may not have been unique, but it was still something of a revolutionary act, and this, coupled with their smash hit "Time Has Come Today," ensures the Chambers Brothers their place in rock history. The group started out as the house band at the hip Electric Circus club in New York`s East Village. Besides their hit, THE TIME HAS COME revolves around the band`s gospel roots, which are effectively used to sweeten and develop a variety of R&B and pop material such as Bacharach and David`s "What the World Needs Now Is Love," and the gently swinging "Romeo and Juliet."Their version of Curtis Mayfield`s "People Get Ready" is perhaps the most obviously gospel-based cut here, and with hindsight it`s apparent that, rather being a new direction, the band`s trippy excursion was something of a detour. But the cowbell and guitar intro to "Time" still thrills today–check out the sly "Little Drummer Boy" quote on the extended guitar solo, too. And in the light of later developments such as Parliament/Funkadelic, the rest of the track sounds like a prophecy. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Mint Condition – Definition Of A Band $9.98 Mint Condition: Stokley Williams (vocals, various instruments); Homer O`Dell (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, programming, background vocals); Jeffrey Allen (strings, tenor saxophone, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ, keyboards, Arp synthesizer, background vocals); Keri "K.L." Lewis (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming, background vocals); Larry Wadell (piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Ricky Kinchen (acoustic bass, bass, programming, background vocals); Chris "Daddy" Dave (drums, background vocals).Additional personnel: Lil` Roger Lynch (talk box); "Big" Jim Wright (Hammond B-3 organ).Recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios, Edina, Minnesota and Tricord Studios, Edin Prairie, Minnesota.Audio Mixer: Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander .One look at Mint Condition`s list of "bands that inspired us" says all you need to know about this talented outfit: Earth Wind & Fire, Parliament-Funkadelic, Led Zeppelin…uhh, Led Zeppelin? Well, perhaps in spirit, but there`s not much evidence of Zep here. No, the orientation is funk, plain and simple: mostly slow-tempo, mostly ballads, with a few straight-up dance-floor jams thrown in. In other words, you may shake your butt, but you will shake it sloooowly. There are jazz inflections throughout, as well as some beautiful ballads (see the fine slow jam "You Don`t Have to Hurt No More").Most of all, though, these guys can flat out play–and flat out sing. The musicianship on Mint Condition`s third album is first-rate throughout, and the ambitious, multi-layered vocal arrangements are a true aural pleasure. Lead vocalist Stokley seems to have molded his style as a combination of current romantic balladeers. This is a lush record, a well-realized, well-crafted example of modern soul music (with a little metal-like heaviness thrown in for good measure). Highly recommended. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Chairmen of the Board – Bittersweet/Skin I`m In [Bonus Tracks] $17.32 Audio Mixers: Elvira Redd; Lawrence Horn; Barney Perkins.Liner Note Author: Tony Rounce.Photographers: Rick Rankin; Urve Kuusik.Arrangers: H.B. Barnum; McKinley Jackson.With solid songwriting and production from ex-Motown wunderkinds Holland-Dozier-Holland, the Chairmen of the Board hit the charts several times during the early `70s. Their two best albums, however, date from long after the hits "Give Me Just a Little More Time" and "Pay to the Piper." Bittersweet and Skin I`m In are dense, ambitious works that benefit from free-form frameworks and funky charts — from, among others, members of Parliament-Funkadelic, on Skin I`m In. Though lead vocalist General Johnson wasn`t happy with some of the arrangements, Skin I`m In is especially intriguing for fans of psychedelic soul — a four-part suite beginning with "Morning Glory" and including the Sly Stone cover "Life and Death" that ranges through distorted basslines, epic Mellotron solos, and some raging vocal work by the group itself. Sequel`s two-fer of 1972`s Bittersweet and 1974`s Skin I`m In includes all the tracks from both LPs, along with in-depth liner notes, pictures, and a full discography. Aside from the above-mentioned, highlights include "Everybody Party All Night," "Finders Keepers," the modest hit "Elmo James," and "Men Are Getting Scarce." ~ John Bush Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Blaze Ya Dead Homie – Gang Rags [6/22] $12.86 Recording information: The Funhouse Studio, MI.Photographer: Ewolf.Being on the Psychopathic Records roster means Blaze Ya Dead Homie has a built-in loyal audience, but his slow release schedule of one album per every three years shows admirable restraint. Even if the horrorcore rapper sounds like a lazy version of Psychopathic stalwarts the Insane Clown Posse, the entertaining Gang Rags suggests the snail`s pace is actually about quality control and no parent-alienating, depravity-filled album shall be unleashed before its time. It might also be related to Psychopathic`s in-house producer Mike E. Clark`s availability, which would be a wise move judging from the killer set of tracks he`s crafted here. It`s a great mix as Blaze`s gruff delivery bounces off thumping basslines and speaker-ripping electro throughout the album, and when Parliament/Funkadelic-styled choruses figure into some of the tracks it`s a welcome influence from the rapper and producer`s hometown of Detroit. Sick humor laughs come from the oddball interludes and Blaze`s porn store punch lines like the supreme "Work it like a Shake Weight" from "Damn Bitch." Loyal Psychopathic fans only need to peek at the guest list — featuring ICP, the Kottonmouth Kings, and the legendary Dayton Family — for their green light, but the skeptical should check the uproarious "Swine Flu" or the Alice Cooper meets Cypress Hill-sounding "3 Evil Wizards" for some prime cheap thrills. The true perv should jump right to the end of the album as "Tokyo Spa" visits one of Michigan`s most infamous "health spas" and gives a blow-by-blow description including driving directions, door fee, and suggested tipping rates. People who should avoid the album include the easily offended, cops, and the Tokyo Spa`s Mama-San. ~ David Jeffries Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

George Clinton (Funk) – How Late Do You Have 2 B B 4 U R Absent? [Digipak] * $19.98 George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars (Funk): Dewayne Blackbyrd McKnight, Eric McFadden, Garry Shider, George Clinton , Greg Thomas , Michael Hampton , Tracey Lewis, Kendra Foster, RonKat Spearman, Robert Johnson, Cardell Mosson, Daniel Bedrosian.Personnel: Clip Payne, Sue Dog, Kevin Shider, Louis Kabbabie, Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins, Garry Shider, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper, Robert "P-Nut" Johnson, J.T. Money, Joi Gilliam, Rob Manzoli, Jazze Pha, Pat Lewis, Prince, Sandra Feva, Sheila Brody, Tracey Lewis, Trey Lewd, Belita Woods, Raymond Davis, James "Big Jim" Wright , Kendra Foster, RonKat Spearman, Calvin Simon (vocals).Audio Mixer: Larry Ferguson .Funk mastermind and ringleader of the Parliament-Funkadelic empire, George Clinton returned in 2005 to drop a double album that features the P-Funk All Stars (which includes long-time Funk Mob members like lead guitarist extraordinaire Michael Hampton and Clinton`s diaper-clad sidekick Gary Shider). While this epic, sprawling collection of head-nodding jams and soulful R&B melodies could use some focus, the presence of guest stars (Prince`s appearance on "Paradigm" makes it one of the set`s highlights) and the surplus of fierce, cosmic grooves on which Clinton built his empire can still make listeners wiggle all over with joy. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Cameo – The Best Of Cameo $11.56 Cameo: Larry Blackmon (vocals, bass, drums, percussion); Tomi Jenkins (vocals); Nathan Leftenant (background vocals, trumpet).Additional personnel: Wayne Cooper, Stephen Moore, Kurt Jeter (vocals); Anthony Lockett, Charlie Singleton (guitar, vocals); Eric Durham (guitar); Arnett Leftenant (tenor saxophone, background vocals); Jeryl Bright (trombone, background vocals); Thomas "T.C." Campbell (piano, Fender Rhodes, Moog & Prophet synthesizers); Gregory Johnson (Fender Rhodes, Moog synthesizer, background vocals); Aaron Mills (bass, background vocals); Gary Dow, William Revis (bass).Includes liner notes by Richard Torres.Cameo were, in their earliest days, heavily influenced by the mighty P-Funk empire, but unlike George Clinton, Larry Blackmon`s sharp ear for a pop hook overruled his fondness for extended, open-ended funk jams. In other words, Cameo were a singles band, something that could never be said of Parliament or Funkadelic. All of the group`s best singles are collected on 1993`s THE BEST OF CAMEO, from crossover smashes like the immortal "Word Up!" (always and forever the group`s best four minutes), "Candy," and "She`s Strange" (here in the seven-minute 12" version with a hip-hop breakdown excised from the hit) to earlier, horn-driven R&B hits like "Rigor Mortis." The focus on singles does mean that the group`s facility for soulful Quiet Storm ballads is downplayed, but overall, THE BEST OF CAMEO is a solidly listenable introduction to this often-underrated band. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Johnnie Taylor – Rated X-Traordinaire: The Best of Johnnie Taylor $6.92 Personnel includes: Johnnie Taylor (vocals, guitar); Bernie Worrell,Rudy Robinson (arranger); Jay Graydon, Leroy Hadley, Willie Hampton (guitar); The Detroit Fisher Theatre Strings (strings); Fred Wesley And The Horny Horns (horns); Bobbie Barber, Barry Beckett, Reginald Burke (keyboards); William "Bootsy" Collins, Michael Henderson, Bob Ray (bass); Bobby Hall, Johnny Soul,Lee Nathan Marcus (drums, percussion); Diane Davis, Donna Davis (background vocals).Producers include: Don Davis, Wade Marcus, Johnnie Taylor, Jack Avery, Sr.,Brad Shapiro.Compilation producer: Leo Sacks.Engineers include: Christopher Banninger, Pete Bishop, Don Davis.Includes liner notes by Kalamu Ya Salaam.All tracks have been digitally remastered.This is part of Legacy`s "Rhythm And Soul" series.The 16-track Rated X-Traordinaire sets out to rescue the reputation of the Johnnie Taylor of 1976-1980, the period that began with his biggest smash, "Disco Lady," but that found him, so the conventional wisdom goes, a Southern soul man set adrift on the disco wave. Annotator Kalamu Ya Salaam argues that "Disco Lady" is not a disco song, and backs this up by noting that the track actually was played by members of Parliament-Funkadelic. True enough, though that only applies to Taylor`s debut Columbia album, Eargasm. Elsewhere, Taylor did drift, from Muscle Shoals tracks that updated his Stax Memphis sound to tracks that sounded like Marvin Gaye. The early years, 1976 and 1977, were more accomplished than the later ones, and that`s where compilation producer Leo Sacks focuses, with 12 of the 16 tracks coming from then. In so doing, he ignores R&B chart singles like "Keep on Dancing" and "Ever Ready," but he satisfies the "best-of" title. ~ William Ruhlmann Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Maceo Parker – Roots & Grooves * $18.49 Recorded Live During The European Tour, Februrary & March 2007.Personnel: Maceo Parker (vocals, alto saxophone); Koji Paul Shigihara (guitar); Heiner Wiberny, Karolina Strassmayer (alto saxophone); Olivier Peters (tenor saxophone, EWI); Paul Heller (tenor saxophone); Marcus Barthelt (baritone saxophone); Rob Bruynen, John Marshall , Klaus Osterloh, Andy Haderer, Wim Both (trumpet); Bernt Laukamp, Ludwig Nuss, Dave Horler (trombone); Mattis Cederberg (bass trombone); Frank Chastenier (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, Hammond b-3 organ); John Goldsby (acoustic bass); Rodney Curtis (electric bass, bass guitar); Hans Dekker, Dennis Chambers (drums); Michael Abene.A lynchpin in the evolution of funk, saxophonist Maceo Parker has played with James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Prince, just to name a few. ROOTS & GROOVES (2008) finds the legendary instrumentalist still laying down incendiary chops and giving as good as ever.On the first disc of this two-disc set Parker joins the WDR Big Band to rip through a repertoire of Ray Charles material. "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "Hit the Road Jack," and "What`d I Say" are given plenty of brass and bite. The second disc is a heavy dose of straight up funk that has Parker joined by P-funk alums Dennis Chambers (drums) and Rodney "Skeet" Curtis (bass). The band lays it down on cuts like "Off the Hook" and an extended jam on James Brown`s classic "Pass the Peas." Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Dennis Chambers/Jeff Berlin/David Fiuczynski/T Lavitz – Boston T Party $16.32 Personnel: Dennis Chambers (drums); T Lavitz (keyboards); David Fiuczynski (fretless bass).Audio Mixers: Glenn A. Tabor III; T Lavitz; Wade Starnes.Recording information: Media Central Studios, Brandon, FL (09/2005); Wellspring Studios, Acton, MA (09/2005).Editor: Wade Starnes.Photographer: T Lavitz.In the `80s, there appeared to be an onslaught of fusion releases that managed to incorporate elements of funk into the mix, while also favoring an incredibly clean production. Although the style appeared to go largely out of vogue in the `90s, several veteran players continued to stick to their guns, including drummer extraordinaire Dennis Chambers. Chambers has been releasing solo albums since the late `90s, yet he`s probably best known as a hired gun, having played alongside several renowned artists of the rock world — Santana, Steely Dan, and Parliament-Funkadelic — as well as guitarist John Scofield. In 2006, Chambers united with three other musicians equally skilled on their respective instruments — bassist Jeff Berlin, guitarist Dave "Fuze" Fiuczynski, and keyboardist T. Lavitz — and issued the ten-track jamfest Boston T Party. If you`re a fan of expertly played modern-day fusion jams, Boston T Party should certainly be your cup of tea, as evidenced by such tracks as "D`funk`d" and "Around About Way." But if it`s tight song structures you`re after, Boston T Party is the complete opposite. ~ Greg Prato Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

---