Funkadelic were a fascinating band, starting as early as 1969, producing psychedelic soul music that you could dance to. A few years down the road, they focused more on the dance floor, putting out funk jams that dug a deep groove and rivaled James Brown and any other funketeer on the scene. And they also featured hot Hendrix-inspired guitar from the inimitable Eddie Hazel and later Michael Hampton. George Clinton's hallucinogen-inspired philosophical ravings add an element of strange/crazy/hilarious moments.
In my view, their records were somewhat less than perfect (only a few came close). For someone that just wanted to know what their best work sounded like, a "best of" or "greatest hits" would be a fine service to the music-loving community.
But there were problems with that idea. From 1969-1976, Funkadelic made eight records for the small Westbound label, and then went to Warner Brothers for four more records between 1976-1981. And for the next twenty-eight years you could get compilations that featured only one of those two record labels output. They made more music for Westbound, but a few of their biggest hits, including their biggest, One Nation Under A Groove, were on Warner Brothers. So finally in 2009, this compilation included music released on both labels, and allowed you to take in the sum of their best work. This record features three tracks from the Warner Brothers years, One Nation Under A Groove, (Not Just) Knee Deep, and Comin' Round The Mountain. The material was licensed to Ace Records in the UK and released under the Westbound/Ace nameplate.
It isn't perfect, but it is closer than any other single compilation. Most of the longer tracks are included here in their shortened single edits, so some of the more extended jams are cut short, and this reduces the amount of great guitar playing on some songs. So you don't get fifteen minutes of Knee Deep or seven minutes of One Nation Under A Groove. But you do get the entire ten minute version of Maggot Brain, the admired and inspired Eddie Hazel guitar showcase. And you get early material from the first three records, and plenty more from their later Westbound releases.
What don't you get? You'll miss out on Who Says A Funk Band Can't Play Rock?! (from One Nation...) and there is nothing from The Electric Spanking Of War Babies 1981, a record that is considered by some as rivaling their best work. It seems like adding just one from that release would complete the set in a nice way. Every other record they released from 1969-1979 is represented by at least one track.
Is there anything else? Well, yes. This is the first release anywhere of their early self-released single Whatever Makes My Baby Feel Good from 1969, which was credited to Rose Williams and Funkadelic. So if you have to have it all, there's that, and it is a good song that shows off their talents early on.
Who needs this record? Well, I'm happy with it as it features some cuts from the first two records, and adds a few good ones from some of their less fulfilling outings. So for a good overview, it rocks. I already own One Nation Under A Groove 1978, Uncle Jam Wants You 1979, Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On 1974, and Maggot Brain 1971, but I didn't feel like I needed it all, and some of their other records have only a strong track or two. You might seek out one of the many Westbound compilations, and then add One Nation Under A Groove and Uncle Jam Wants You (both on Warner Brothers, and excellent).
If you don't own any Funkadelic and want to hear what the fuss is about, or you want a taste of what you don't already own, this is the best choice for a single compilation.
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