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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

One Nation Under A Groove

Funkadelic

1978

Buy At Rough Trade
One Nation Under A Groove
Album Summary

One Nation Under a Groove is the tenth studio album by American funk rock band Funkadelic, released on September 22, 1978 on Warner Bros. Records. Recording sessions took place at United Sound Studio in Detroit, Michigan, with one song recorded live on April 15, 1978 at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana. The album was the first album to include keyboardist and frequent songwriter Walter "Junie" Morrison. One Nation Under a Groove was Funkadelic's most commercially successful album, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Magazine Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, number 16 on the Billboard 200, and being certified platinum in the US. It reached number 58 in Canada. It was one of the band's most critically lauded albums, and ranks at or near the top of many "best album" lists in disparate genres. The album was later featured on Vibe magazine's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century list. The album is ranked number 177 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in both 2003 and 2012 editions, before moving to number 360 in the 2020 edition. The album is listed as one of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.41

Votes

14487

Genres

  • Funk
  • Rock
  • Psychedelic Rock
  • Soul

Reviews

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Jun 04 2021
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5

The absolute pinnacle of funk, with a healthy blend of rock and psychedelia. I would give my left leg to be invited to a 1970's George Clinton party, and I don't even like parties.

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Apr 16 2021
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5

Another one that is so insanely elevated above the general pack. Not enough great music is also genuinely funny.

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Feb 08 2022
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5

Who says a jazz band can't play dance music? Who says a rock band can't play funk? Who says a funk band can't play rock? Real simple, real groovy, real funky. Fantastic Funkadelic music from front to back.

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Feb 09 2022
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2

Just another funk album, with all the songs going on way too long. Some parts sound nice, but it's hardly an experience.

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Feb 17 2024
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5

I must admit before pledging my allegiance to the funk I was suffering from moral and mental diarrhea. Under the groove of this album I finally had the musical bowl movement I’d been waiting for. Now I no longer fear being eaten by a sandwich. Hallefunkinlujah!

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Jun 29 2021
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3

It didn't inspire me to dance in the office at 10am on a Monday morning. Top funk would have. The whole office would be up off their seats, with every demographic represented, in a rainbow-coalition of dancing.

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Feb 02 2022
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5

Such awesome sounds, one nation under a groove man. Incredible guitarmanship, rythems and bass lines make this musically tight. But it's the craziness the songs they go in place you don't expect all while a kind of dogmatic lyrics of absurdness play out. You cannot underestimate one bands devotion to one word and one concept Funk and this is it.

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Jul 14 2021
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5

Wonderful and fun, with such interesting layers and texture. No surprise to learn how influential this group and its related group, Parliament, are in the world of funk music and music generally. All the musicians are incredible, and I always gravitate guitar because that's the instrument I play, and wow, Mike Hampton and Gary Shider are superb.

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Oct 24 2021
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4

Ce mélange de funk et de rock m'a parfaitement diverti à un moment où je faisais la vaisselle.

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Apr 10 2021
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2

I really wanted to like this one but it just kept on going. Nothing really noteworthy here.

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Feb 25 2022
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2

Totally influential and you can hear so many later artists inspiration in here but for me personally it gets too long, both per song and the total length. Maybe I have a short attention span but the extended jammy-ness doesn't do anything for me

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Sep 30 2021
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2

Lacking enough cohesiveness to work as a full LP, reads more as a scattered collection of (sometimes catchy) B-sides Aside: This is my ~180th album and the first not available on Spotify

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Apr 10 2021
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2

I find this underwhelming. There's a lot going on but for me, it just doesn't click. The wacky song titles made them seem like a novelty band.

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Mar 11 2021
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5

Excellent album, plein de sonorités classiques et originales, paroles amusantes et réfléchies.

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Nov 20 2024
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5

A hill I will die on: Funkadelic is one of the greatest American *rock* bands. Easily in the top 5, if not top 3.

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Apr 29 2024
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4

Funkadelic's album "One Nation Under a Groove" is a joyful celebration of funk in its purest form. From start to finish, the album exudes a free and loose tone that invites listeners to let go and groove along. What sets this album apart is its unapologetic embrace of fun, exemplified by tracks like the hilariously titled "Doo Doo Chasers." I now have the fear of being eaten by a sandwich. Musically, Funkadelic showcases their mastery of the funk genre, effortlessly blending infectious grooves, soulful melodies, and electrifying instrumentation. Lyrically, the band's messages of unity, liberation, and the power of music to uplift resonate deeply, creating an immersive experience for the listener. But perhaps what truly stands out about "One Nation Under a Groove" is its sonorous richness. Each track is a sonic journey, filled with layers of funky basslines, psychedelic guitar riffs, and dynamic vocal harmonies that transport listeners to a world of pure funk bliss. This album is a must-listen for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the irresistible groove of funk.

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Apr 20 2024
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4

“Which one’s George Clinton??” Not quite as good as the other Funkadelic album I had earlier on. But still quite good. The concepts behind the songs are at the very least interesting and creative. I appreciate that they don’t just write songs about partying or being in love or whatever. The songs are about enemas or taking a dump or whatever the hell some of them were about. It makes it interesting and keeps you on your toes. And besides, who can deny the grooves, man? 4 stars. For some reason this wasn’t on either major music streaming service so I found it on YouTube. Weird. Standout tracks: One Nation Under a Groove, Who Says a Funk Band Can’t Play Rock?, Cholly

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Jun 04 2021
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5

Best funk album is a deserved title. Would be a 4.5 just because I couldn't listen on spotify, and availability should matter.

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Feb 27 2024
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5

Wow. Albums like this are why I started this project. Easiest 5/5 I've given so far

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May 06 2024
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5

A very good friend of mine had me download this album for him a while back. Had a listen and it took me by storm. Instantly became a fan. Mixed this in with my steel pulse and third world playlist, it's like my own personal spliff love it.

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Oct 26 2024
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4

George Clinton, the mastermind behind both Parliament and Funkadelic, the man who pushed Funk Rock into a new sound and additionally created P-Funk with both of these bands. And after having multiple albums out with this new sound including the legendary "Mothership Connection" with Parliament, he returned to the greatness that Funkadelic had in its earlier years of 70's and made this album which in eyes of many stands at the top of the Funkadelic discog with the rest saying it's Maggot Brain... With other words: this is a Funk record of high caliber even if you don't enjoy it as much as others. I personally think that a good portion of these tracks here are a bit "too much" with many ideas thrown into one tracks without really having a bigger structure to it which ultimately means that there are many moments that lack scaffholding. Still, it is a fun album with also many interesting and great moments. The Disco-Funk title track 'One Nation Under a Groove' with a... well, groovy track that gets things started immediately by having both the vocals enter right at the start and not waiting long before going into the incredibly catchy chorus which is played with a bit before returning to the verse. Throughout this first half, the song establishes some "hook words" that later make up a bigger hook, nearly a new chorus in on itself. The instrumental parts also have really great deliveries with the bass as well as the synths and the guitar. All together is just exactly what you'd think people were listening to in 70's Disco bars. I do think that some parts do need a bit too long to fully establish themselves and create a tension that isn't needed or a good kind of tension. It's still incredible but I wouldn't dare to call it perfect, because it just isn't. On 'Groovallegiance' they add more P-Funk as well as some Jazz while still being very catchy. The chorus and some of the vocal deliveries sound very inspired by music outside of the US although I can't really pin it down to a certain region. But it still is a very interesting style which doesn't mean that it works all the time. Sure, some moments are really groovy and funky with some great instrumentation but I just think that some parts are a bit too much in terms of throwing stuff into one pot. Some parts are great, including the "doo-doo doo-doo ahh" parts in the middle but a lot more are on the verge of annoying. It's a decent song nontheless but with a bit more focus, this could've been so much stronger. The Funk Rock on tracks like 'Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!' is something that sets Funkadelic a bit apart from Parliament because they did much more Rock especially in their early years. They did Funk & Rock and Parliament did Funk & Soul. This difference between them seems to have a certain weight in either band which is the reason that there have been multiple tracks that mention the fact that Funkadelic do "Rock". It's pretty funny to look at. The song itself is, who would've guessed, Funk Rock with some added Soul vocals here and there but most of the time, the catchy guitar riff has more to offer than the vocals. To be totally honest, if they decided to only have vocals on the chorus and make the rest purely instrumental, it would've been better as I think that multiple times, the vocals distract from what should've actually taken main stage presence, the guitar. But apart from these few verses, it is a really catchy and interesting song with a blend of ideas that sometimes work together perfectly and other times not as much. Overall, I think this is a pretty good song that's just a tad bit too long. The 11 minute Psychedelic Funk Rock epic 'Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers)' comes along next with one of the craziest titles I have ever read. It starts off with a mix of stinging guitar and relaxed rhythm sections that have some Spoken Word passages added on top as well as some Soul vocals underneath that. This start is absolutely everywhere. There is so much happening and put on top of each other that you can't really get too deep into it without being turned away from it because it is so totally incomprehensible. It does settle a bit after some time but it goes back into this "everything at once" mentality every half minute or so and after some time you just don't want to hear deeper again because all you find is more stuff that doesn't fit with what there was before. This is most noticeable around 4:30 where there are some beautiful vocals that could've made this so incredibly beautiful but then they add more Spoken Word stuff that lets the vocals drown out. The instrumental: perfect, the vocals: perfect, the songwriting: perfect but these weird choices of adding talking just destroys all of it and leaves behind a genuinely bad song. If they all had just shut up, this could've been the best song on the album which makes it even more tragic that it ended this way. 'Into You' goes more into R&B, Soul and of course Funk and finally has intelligible parts that do have a really nice groove to it. The chorus is really great, the vocals are nice and although the structure can be a bit weak and the mixing plays around a bit too much with and makes it sound like the loudness lever was used by a toddler, it still is a nice song. It's fun to listen to, not too much, not too boring. It's good and catchy but not too crazy or out there. The albums first half, the first LP, ends with 'Cholly (Funk Getting Ready to Roll!)' which returns to the more Disco sounding P-Funk approach that results in a catchy and groovy track that seems to flow from one hook to the next without stopping the Funk to lead the way through the track. I do think that with the amount of ideas that were put in here, they do come of a bit too "low-key" and not as strong as they could've been but it's nontheless a good song. Their originally 1971 released song 'Maggot Brain' is put here in the form of a live recording that was done earlier that same year. There's nothing Funk about this, it's just a Psychedelic Rock song of (og: 10 min) 7 minutes that is based around a repeating theme on which solos are added with minimal vocals. It's a really spacey and hypnotic track that is so different, yet the same at it's core to what previous tracks did that it baffles me how this song seems to fit with the Funk without being Funk. This live recording is absolutely amazing, perfect even. Just a wonderful and enticing listen from the first second to the last and I'm going to be honest... I might prefer it over the original studio recording but I haven't heard that one in a while so maybe their equal... Still, perfect! The second part of that recording is made up of a short Spoken Word section titled 'Chant (Think It Ain't Illegal Yet!)' which is less than a minute long. It doesn't do much at all. I guess it was supposed to hype up the show but on an album? I mean this closed Side C... What does it hype up? The flip of the vinyl? Useless but not bad. The Funk Rock returns in a very heavy way on 'Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!)' which is heavy enough to be considered Funk Metal by many. In that way, this might've been one of the first songs to ever blend Metal and Funk and to be honest, I am there for it. It sounds amazing and both aspects are brought up enough to feel both catchy, loud and just crazy. I really, really like it and I think it's a great song. The album closes with 'P.E. Squad / Doo Doo Chasers' and finally, this is what the first 'Doo Doo Chasers' tried to be but failed. If this had the added singing, oh boy! This is (just) an shortend instrumental version so it does feel like it lacks something but it's still a really, really good song and easily one of the sonically best worked out tracks on the album. favourites: Maggot Brain, One Nation Under a Groove, Lunchmeataphobia least favourites: Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers), Chant Rating: light to decent 7 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

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May 20 2024
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4

Fried ice cream IS a reality! I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected, it's just so fun!

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May 06 2024
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4

[Strangely not available on Spotify despite other Funkadelics being there. Managed to hunt out most individual tracks there through search.] Not my favourite album of theirs: 1971's Maggot Brain holds that title. This album feels a little less... fresh? raw? Still, it has some solid grooves & some great synchro guitar/bass on 'Cholly'. I also very much enjoyed the taunting string bends on the opening bars of "Who Says A Funk Band Can't Play Rock?"

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May 01 2024
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4

This is a fun one, a Funkadelic album I’m less familiar with. Definitely not as good as Maggot Brain or Free Your Mind, but a fun way to start the day.

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May 01 2024
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4

Delightful. Dense, complex, balanced, beautiful. A shame this album seems hard to find.

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Jun 24 2024
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3

Fried ice cream is a reality! Fried ice cream is a reality! Fried ice cream is a reality! AHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOO

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Nov 11 2023
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3

Nr. 33/1001 One Nation Under A Groove 4/5 Grooveallegiance 3/5 Who Says A Funk Band Can't Play Rock 3/5 Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis 2/5 Into You 3/5 Cholly 3/5 Average: 3,0 Couldn't really get into this. Felt like a lot of these songs could have been great, but weren't completed

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Aug 16 2024
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2

I feel like everyone knows about Funkadelic but only a rare handful of audiophiles have listened to their entire catalog. I learned today that they made 15 albums across 14 years; I imagine that is as dense as one can get in terms of making music. I've always carried an affinity for jazz but for some reason whenever the genre leans into funk I find myself liking the music less. I don't like the quick "pokes" of every instrument and while the music as a whole doesn't have that problem, it feels like every individual part of the song is waiting to start. I also really don't like the way most funk singers choose to sing; the squeakiness loses its piercing affect quickly and just sounds annoying. As expected, my favorite parts of the album are the walking basslines and jazzy guitar licks. I will also say that I am honestly surprised at the drums never really leaving the basic rhythm of each song. extremely boring and disappointing.

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Nov 22 2022
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2

I don't know -- I guess I just don't "get" funk music. This was totally fine but nothing that grabbed me.

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Aug 13 2024
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2

Not being on spotify might have effected the ratings some having to listen to YouTube commercials in between each track... But I also wasn't really getting that into the groove with each track. Maybe it was the mixing, but just wasn't really digging it.

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Aug 12 2024
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2

# 295 : Funky. Better then their other piece I've listened to. This was ok, but nothing that grabbed me. The title track was good, but the rest was unlistenable, and way too long, that they had to split it over two CD's!

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Aug 05 2024
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2

I remember somewhat enjoying some Funkadelic cuts in the past, but their music never really touched me. This album doesn't do much for me either. It doesn't help, that I find a lot of funk music to be pretentious. I just feel like often times weird sounds and instruments are used just to be different, not because they sound cool.

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May 24 2022
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2

I don’t think I’m into funk enough to enjoy this

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Apr 27 2021
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5

Wooooow. I wish this one was on Spotify. Never listened to these before but absolutely crushing it

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Feb 17 2023
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5

One, two, three, four, five People think cause we are here Our jazz ran out the ships won't steer No more. We picked up on the rhythm here If you just take a toot and have a beer We're gonna make it clear Yes, and when the morning gets here Jazz and soul Great funk album. This was a weird time in America's history, and this album does give you some insight into how some people were dealing with it. 5/5

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Feb 15 2023
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5

So I'm quite familiar with Funkadelic/Parliament; however, I had never sat down and listened to this album in full. This is some real foundational rock meets funk meets R&B just meets out there kind of stuff. Not having this on streaming sucks as I had to listen to it on youtube. There's real genius hear and I'd love to hear this not on a shitty youtube feed. But even then its genius shines through.

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Jan 31 2023
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5

Awesome will listen to more Funkadelica. The guitar work is stellar.

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Feb 15 2023
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5

Fuzzy, psychedelic, funk rock. Pretty damn perfect.

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May 13 2021
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5

no había escuchado este disco, me doy asco. perdón. maravilla.

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Jan 25 2023
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5

Man, this was a true eye opener. Loved it on even first ever listen. Going to hit the 5 stars

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Dec 13 2022
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5

Groovallegiance has the funkiest bass..... then along comes that lead break! The funk band CAN play rock. That is the most driving bit of rock I've heard in ages. Doo Doo chasers had many funny bits, but I'm hearing a falsetto backed by shredded guitar. Remember that a purple clad genius from Minnesota was recording when this came out. This album has so many layers. To think I knew nothing about GC when this came out. So many wasted years.

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Jan 28 2022
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5

A little hard to find at first but the songs were amazing.

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Oct 09 2021
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5

Practically flawless funk album. Only previously heard Maggot Brain, so this felt much more traditional. All the tracks are flawless. Didn't even notice how long they were until I needed to use the bathroom but decided not until the song was over. Rock comes in the later tracks. I was a little nervous because Eddie Hazel wasn't in this album, but no, this guitarist is insane. Works really well creating the funk rhythm. Vocals are superb. It's a whole crowd having fun, full of humor and energy. All the vocals, rhythm, and instruments work in harmony together. Everyone works together to create what I consider to be the pinnacle of funk. Gets milder in the last two tracks but still great tracks. Favorite tracks: "One Nation Under a Groove", "Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad"

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May 19 2021
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5

Man this just cooks. How dies Prince become Prince without George Clintin leading the way. Also some of the best guitar work ever committed to vinyl. This live versiom of Maggot Brain left me breathless. A 5-star album

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Oct 05 2022
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5

Couldn't find actual album but listened to some similar songs which were good

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Sep 25 2022
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5

Because this album is one of a kind, weird and eccentric like nothing you've ever heard, because it has positive energy, because there are so many talented people contributing in so many different ways, because it makes me wanna get up and dance! and because I remember it fondly from my youth, I'm gonna give it a rare 5! So fun to dance and sing along to.

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Feb 26 2021
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5

Me encanta el funky y no conocía a este grupo

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Sep 21 2022
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5

There's a track on this one called The Doo Doo Chasers so what else do you want to know

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Jan 17 2022
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5

This album is like balm for the soul. The funk rock is just what I needed on this Friday.

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Mar 25 2021
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5

I haven't listened to this before, and didn't expect to like it, but it's fantastic.

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Sep 27 2021
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5

not currently available on spotify

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Feb 02 2023
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5

This is some of the thickest, stickiest funk ever made. George, Bootsy, and the boys sure know how to get down. There're no negatives here. It's absolutely funktastic from needle drop to full stop.

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Sep 28 2021
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5

Great album. Great musicianship. Love it. Where has this been all my life?

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Mar 04 2023
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5

Sucks how the album isn't on Spotify! No skips, truly

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Jan 12 2023
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5

Absolutely brilliant - maybe falls just short of Maggot Brain, but still a very high 5! Probably my favourite band I have discovered through this project - hope to hear much more from them.

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Jun 18 2021
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5

Great album. Killer guitar solos. Shame it’s not on Spotify

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Dec 02 2022
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5

cant listen on Spotify which is really annoying because its one of my favourite albums of all time. I would sell my soul to funkadelic

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Oct 07 2022
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5

Very fun upbeat album, every artist on it does a phenomenal job

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Oct 27 2022
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5

Title track, Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!, Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers), Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!) are all standouts. Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!) grabs you from the beginning as the heavy guitar riff that opens it stands out immediately. P.E. Squad/Doo Doo Chasers is a good closer - still funky but slower in tempo allowing for a cooldown. Great album start to finish - expectedly funky, unexpectedly funny. Funkadelic was the more experimental half of the P-Funk banner, and a lot of psych-rock influences are apparent. Why isn't this on any streaming service?

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Nov 05 2022
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5

I love the spirit of Funkadelic. Some of the most unfiltered musical expression you'll ever hear.

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Sep 15 2022
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5

Un disco importantissimo, che frulla insieme funk, soul, rock e disco music. Consiglio anche Maggior Brain, sempre loro.

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Jan 03 2022
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5

Do you pled allegiance to the funk, the whole funk and nothing but the funk? Album incredibil de funky si amuzant dar si foarte simbolic

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May 13 2021
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5

No lo encontré en Spotify (?), espero que lo que escuché en yt haya sido el bueno. De cualquier forma me gustó un montón, tiene una vibra muy animada (a ratos como para estar pachecx), buen ritmo y mezclas interesantes.

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Nov 05 2022
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5

What an album, I thought it was gripping the whole time. Each of the jams is really tight despite the repetition and the adventurousness. I was charmed by "Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!" - they're saying so explicitly, we're playing dance, funk, and rock music all at the same time, what are you going to do about it?? And they're doing it so well there's no way to argue with them. A great album by a great band.

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Aug 26 2022
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5

This isn't just one of the great funk albums ever but it is also one of the greatest GUITAR albums of all time. The playing is absolutely sublime as well as tasteful. What an album. I can't understand why it is so difficult to find on streaming services. 5 stars

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Sep 08 2022
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5

Awesome groovy/funky album! Love the vibe, the sound and the lyrics. I'll remember this one for sure!

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Aug 08 2022
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5

Some of the best guitar playing I’ve ever heard. Great vocals and harmonies. Blown away by this album. So full of energy. Standouts: One Nation Under A Groove, Grooveallegiance, Who Says a Funk…, Promental…, p.e. squad, maggot brain

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Aug 09 2022
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5

So wide you can't get around it So low you can't get under it So high you can't get over it

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Mar 26 2023
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5

Finally, a 5 star album, it's been a while. Every track, 5 stars. Plus a bit of Maggot Brain as a bonus track. Spotify don't have this album in 2023 for some reason, they lose a rating star as long as this continues to be the case.

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Nov 15 2022
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5

It's rare to have a funk album that you can just put on in the background and enjoy. This was one that you could enjoy if you pay attention or if you just want something to listen to while you're doing other things.

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Aug 24 2022
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5

This is a blast. I've always favored Parliament, but Funkadelic is no slouch. It's a gem. The only flaw is that it isn't on Spotify. Good thing I happen to own it. Classic album. I don't know how anyone wouldn't like it. Seriously.

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Dec 10 2021
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5

One of my all time favorite albums...each song a banger.

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May 06 2022
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5

Really loved this album, and need to dive more into Funkadelic and their later collaborations.

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Nov 14 2021
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5

Absolutely brilliant. You can feel the influence dripping off every note in this album and it doesn't take much to trace that influence directly or indirectly to every other album by any other group since. The power of not giving a fuck what's expected.

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May 24 2022
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5

Love funkadelic. For some reason, not on amazon music

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