One Nation Under a Groove [Red & Green Vinyl LP/12"]

by Funkadelic

Overview

One Nation Under a Groove was not only Funkadelic's greatest moment, it was their most popular album, bringing them an unprecedented commercial breakthrough by going platinum and spawning a number one R&B smash in the title track. It was a landmark LP for the so-called "black rock" movement, best-typified in the statement of purpose "Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!"; more than that, though, the whole album is full of fuzzed-out, Hendrix-style guitar licks, even when the music is clearly meant for the dancefloor. This may not have been a new concept for Funkadelic, but it's executed here with the greatest clarity and accessibility in their catalog. Furthermore, out of George Clinton's many conceptual albums (serious and otherwise), One Nation Under a Groove is the pinnacle of his political consciousness. It's unified by a refusal to acknowledge boundaries -- social, sexual, or musical -- and, by extension, the uptight society that created them. The tone is positive, not militant -- this funk is about community, freedom, and independence, and you can hear it in every cut (even the bizarre, outrageously scatological "P.E. Squad"). The title cut is one of funk's greatest anthems, and "Groovallegiance" and the terrific "Cholly" both dovetail nicely with its concerns. The aforementioned "Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!" is a seamless hybrid that perfectly encapsulates the band's musical agenda, while "Into You" is one of their few truly successful slow numbers. The original LP included a three-song bonus EP featuring the heavy riff rock of "Lunchmeataphobia," an unnecessary instrumental version of "P.E. Squad," and a live "Maggot Brain"; these tracks were appended to the CD reissue. In any form, One Nation Under a Groove is the best realization of Funkadelic's ambitions, and one of the best funk albums ever released. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	02/17/2023
Label:	Charly Records
UPC:	5060767444054
Rank:	55598

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Funkadelic   Primary Artist
Ron Ford   Vocals (Background),Vocals
Junie Morrison   Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
George Clinton   Vocals,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
David Denny   Staging
Calvin Simon   Vocals,Percussion
Garry Shider   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Grady Thomas   Vocals
Rodney Curtis   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Jerome Brailey   Drums,Percussion
Michael Hampton   Guitar
Greg Thomas   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Charles Bishop   Staging
Bobby Lewis   Banjo
Mullin Franklin   Vocals
Bob Bishop   Staging
Jeanette "Baby" Washington   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Patrice Gramenz O'Neil   Staging
Mallia Franklin   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Lawrence Fratangelo   Drums,Percussion
Debbie Wright   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Bobby Lavis   Guitar
Joe Miller   Staging
Larry Fratangelo   Drums
Bernie Worrell   Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Raymond Davis   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Bootsy Collins   Bass,Drums,Percussion,Guitar (Bass)
Cordell "Boogie" Mosson   Bass,Vocals,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Tyrone Lampkin   Drums,Percussion
Lynn Mabry   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Mark Holmes   Staging
Dawn Silva   Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Junie Morrison   Composer
Jim Vitti   Engineer
Michael Iacopelli   Engineer
George Clinton   Concept,Composer,Producer,Liner Notes,Art Direction
David Denny   Lighting
Garry Shider   Composer
Pete Bishop   Engineer
Michael Hampton   Composer
Sir Lleb of Funkadelia   Concept,Liner Notes
Pedro Bell   Graphic Design,Camera Operator
Linda Brown   Composer
Charles Bishop   Lighting
Bob Bishop   Lighting
Patrice Gramenz O'Neil   Lighting
L. Brown   Composer
Ed Thrasher   Artwork,Direction,Art Direction
Arpil Wildflower   Graphic Design
Holy Terra   Coordination
Joe Miller   Lighting
Bernie Worrell   Composer
Bob Krasnow   Administration
Bootsy Collins   Composer
Eddie Hazel   Composer
Mark Holmes   Lighting