U.S. Music with Funkadelic

by U.S. (United Soul)

Overview

U.S. (United Soul) was Gary Shider's band and a part of George Clinton's Parliafunkadelicment thang before he joined the P-Funk crew full-time (that's Shider in the diaper, if you didn't know). They issued a single billed as "U.S. Music with Funkadelic" (previously released on the Music for my Mother comp) but this album sat on the shelf until 2009. U.S. was a self-contained band, but their studio material also featured various members of Funkadelic. Let's be clear: this is a full, finished album, not simply a roundup of unfinished/unused tracks. And it's a good one too! Aside from the final track, it's not nearly as hard as Funkadelic and there's lots of prominent piano. Gary Shider sings his ass off throughout as well as contributing some hot guitar playing. "This Broken Heart" is a big production ballad with strings and piano, similar in feel to the single "I Miss My Baby." "Baby I Owe You Something Good" was a solid single, but the stand-out tracks have to be "Be What You Is" and "Rat Kiss the Cat on the Navel." "Be What You Is" is a Clinton tune that sounds something like a cross between Funkadelic's "You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks" and "Friday Night August 14." The fact that this track may be a bit derivative doesn't mean it's not great, though, with weird reverby production and some great guitar. As mentioned, "Rat Kiss the Cat on the Navel" is the most "Funkadelic" track, with its slightly ominous tone, relentless driving beat, and nasty fuzz guitar soloing. Producer Fuzzy Haskins certainly took more than a few production cues from George but shows on this tune he could get just as loopy lyrically as well. The album is a bit on the short side, but it's quality stuff. U.S. Music with Funkadelic is a solid album and an interesting missing link that's sure to please Funkadelic fans. ~ Sean Westergaard

Product Details

Release Date:	03/30/2009
Label:	Ace / Westbound
UPC:	0029667714914
Rank:	51483

Tracks

1. Broken Heart
2. Baby I Owe You Something Good
3. Be What You Is
4. I Miss My Baby
5. Rat Kiss The Cat On The Naval

Album Credits

Performance Credits

U.S. (United Soul)   Primary Artist
U.S. Music with Funkadelic   Primary Artist
Funkadelic   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Bernie Worrell   Arranger,Producer
Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins   Composer
Dean Rudland   Liner Notes,Coordination
Nick Robbins   Mastering
George Clinton   Composer
William Nelson   Composer
R. Davis   Producer
William Franklin   Composer