Stairway2Drew's Full Review: One Nation Under a Groove [Remaster] by Funkadelic
Though, by and large, Funkadelic's musical contributions were often trivialized in the shadow of bigger, more popular sister Parliament, the funk-rock mob's cultural impact should not be unduly cast off. The band was, after all, one of the first to perfect the merger of groove and grit, spearheading the 'black-rock' movement and tempering their wild, blistering funk with a consciousness and empathy not often associated with booty-groovin'. Truth is, Funkadelic shouldn't be observed so much as Parliament's inferior little sister as Parliament on an especially thoughtful day.
That said, the music of Funkadelic--- and the music found on arguably their most lauded LP, One Nation Under a Groove--- is NOT somber or depressing. On the contrary; Funkadelic aspires to move minds and butt-cheeks alike, and, let's face it, George Clinton's P-Funk squad could move a booty like no other. One Nation Under a Groove does, yes, aspire to a certain social change, but does so with such fun--- and musically deft--- groove that it doesn't seem heavy-handed; rather, it promotes peace and love by invoking in through music. The title track itself is a call to arms of sorts: "one nation under a groove, gettin' down just for the funk of it." It calls everyone--- black, honky, and everyone in-between--- to lay down your arms, man, and just getcha friggin' GROOVE ON. Arrangement-wise, it angles its way through several subtle shifts, but never strays from its central music theme (a recurring mode of operation for the P-Funk crew, but a heavily reliable formula.) Its theme, message, and spirit, are echoed elsewhere on One Nation Under a Groove--- notably on lengthy workouts like "Groovalliegance" and "Cholly (Funk Gettin' Ready To Roll)"--- and it's all well and good, but this album's title track is one of funk's quintessential anthems, and seven-plus minutes of pure, unbridled energy. Exhilaratin', man.
"Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!" typifies Funkadelic's mission statement--- though it's mainly groovetastic, listen for the brilliant hard-rock inflections--- although the ludicrous slow jam "Promentalsh!tbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doodoo Chasers)" incorporates more fuzzed, bristly guitar squeals, possibly positioning it as this album's finest melding of funk and rock. It's also notable for railing against conformity and societal brainwash while utilizing dozens of dookie jokes, if you're into that sort of thing.
The CD reissues the LP with a three-song EP tacked to the end of it; this EP includes funk-rock jamout "Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!)", a wholly unnecessary rehash of "Promentalsh!tbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad" (entitled "P.E. Squad (Doodoo Chasers)" and featuring a shortened version of the instrumental track), and a live performance of incendiary instrumental "Maggot Brain," which is nice to have around.
Not only was Funkadelic's call to galvanize the masses, eliminate prejudices, and make 'em all a nation of glorious dancing machines noble, they delivered their message in such a groovy, thick-bottomed, rockin'-out, intensely forceful manner that their message never seemed overbearing; they never seemed like goofy funk hippies, just like incredibly cool groovesters that wanna see all their brothers and sisters getting a long. Maybe one day we'll truly be One Nation Under a Groove--- until then, I say, "now's the chance to dance my way out of my constrictions." It can be yours, too.
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This review was 538 words long. Lean. And mizzean. All the details for this write-off are found, conveniently, here. Try it if you want to be rich and popular!
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