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 Tracklist :
1 One Nation Under A Groove 7:28
2 Groovallegiance 7:00
Written-By [Co-written] – B. Worrel
3 Who Says A Funk Band Can't Play Rock? 6:18
Written-By [Co-written] – M. Hampton
4 Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers) 10:45
Written-By [Co-written] – L. Brown
5 Into You 5:41
Written-By [Co-written] – W. Collins
6 Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!) 4:27
Written-By [Co-written] – W. Collins
7 Lunchmeataphobia ('Think, It Ain't Illegal Yet!) 4:12
Written-By [Co-written] – B. Worrel
8 P.E. Squad/Doo Doo Chasers ("Going All-The-Way Off" Instrumental Version) 4:18
Written-By [Co-written] – L. Brown
9 Maggot Brain 8:28
Written-By [Co-written] – E. Hazel
Credits :
Banjo – Bobby Lewis
Bass – Rodney Curtis
Bass, Drums, Percussion – Bootsy Collins
Bass, Vocals – Cordell Mosson
Drums, Percussion – Jerome Brailey, Larry Fratangelo, Tyrone Lampkin
Guitar – Michael Hampton
Guitar, Vocals – Garry Shider
Keyboards – Bernie Worrell
Keyboards, Vocals – Junie Morrison
Producer, Vocals – George Clinton
Vocals – Dawn Silva, Debbie Wright, Greg Thomas, Jeanette Washington, Lynn Mabry, Mallia Franklin, Ray Davis, Ron Ford
Written-By – G. Shider (tracks: 1, 4, 8), G. Clinton, W. Morrison (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6)
