Open-mindedness, unity, the breaking-down of boundaries. These are the conceptual themes that run throughout this 1978 release. Along with 1971's Maggot-Brain, One Nation Under a Groove is the pinnacle of Funkadelic records and justifiably regarded as one of the all-time greatest funk albums. Everybody with even a mild interest in funk, whether they be a fully-pledged 'Funkateer' or casual-listner should own a copy of this album. A lot of credit should go to new recruit Walther "Junie" Morrison (formerly of the Ohio Players) who co-wrote most of the songs. George Clinton, leader of the P-Funk movement, once described him as "The most phenomenal musician on the planet". In addition to composing he also contributed keyboards, vocals, arrangements and production to the album and helped make it Funkadelic's most consistent release ever.
The album begins with a bang. The title track is one mother of a dance tune. Hand-clapping, layered guitars and synths subtely playing underneath the wonderful singing make this a joyous tribute to unity through music. One of the more commercial-sounding songs and Funkadelic's most successful single, this track claimed top spot in the singles chart and was a club favourite. It also helps to promote George Clinton's agenda. One Nation Under a Groove. Everybody together, unified, wanting to "dance our way out of our constrictions."
The call for unity continues with Groovallegience;
"Pledge groovallegience to the Funk, the united Funk of Funkadelica".
A slower track, based mainly around bass and drums with some seemingly reggae-influenced vocal-harmonies, particularly during the verses, it adds some nice psychadelic guitar-fills in the second-half and fine bass-playing. More importantly though it also furthers George Clinton's visions of unity;
"Please come on, come all to the funk. Let your feelings grow as one.
Join this nation, you will see. That we can make you free"
This slower track then leads to the fantastic and more upbeat 'Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock Music?!' Once again the title shows Clinton's desire to break-down barriers and claim his freedom to do what he wants. A pounding bassline drives this one relentlessly on and Funkgeetarists Gary Shider and Mike 'Kidd Funkadelic' Hampton contribute some superb guitar licks (you can learn a lot about rock 6-stringing from these guys). Meanwhile the vocalists sing the chorus over and again, moving the groove ever forwards.
George Clinton had a passion for making up big words and 'Promental***backwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers)' is no exception. A slow 10-minute groover, again with some tasty guitar playing in the background. Meanwhile, the lyrics focus on the sort of toliet activity that even men prefer to do indoors.
"The world is a toll-free toilet. Our mouths neurological assholes.
And psychologically speaking. We're in a state of mental diarrhea"
It does make points about the way people live their lives and offers The Funk again as an alternative, describing themselves as;
"A musical bowel movement. Designed to rid you of moral diarrhea
Social bull***, Crazy do-loops, Mental poots"
Into You is probably Funkadelic's best-ever slow song. The excellent bass singer Ray Davis unusually sings lead, with a variety of other vocalists getting a chance to shine. Once again, the lyrics discuss the problems with society;
"I can't get into the neutron bomb
I can't get into something that will do me some harm
I can't get into a drug addict principle
I can't get into something that would close the door"
Cholly is a lovely little ode to funk (oh yeah did I forget to mention that P-Funk bands liked to sing about funk... A lot!)
"Funk gettin' ready to go, Funk gettin' ready to roll
Funk gettin' ready to go, Funk gettin' ready to roll"
A funky, stuttering, jumping bassline courtesy of Bootsy Collins grooves up the tune while Funkgeetarist Gary Shider takes lead vocals. Great song with some nice chorus vocals.
Lunchmeataphobia is a heavier, more guitar-based rocker with some distorted power-chords playing over a few distant-sounding vocals. Top guitar-work in the last minute leading to the outro.
P.E. Squad/Doo Doo Chasers is a shorter, instrumental version of Prome..yah dee dah..psychosis. It's a nice tune, although not really necessary. It did however come as part of an EP with the original album and the CD reissue has put in with the main tracks, so it is excusable.
Finally, Maggott Brain, also from the original EP. A Live version of the Eddie Hazel classic, played by Mike Hampton. (Eddie Hazel had succumbed to drug problems and his role in the P-Funk movement was greatly diminished). This track seriously kicks ass! More upbeat than the original (where George Clinton told Hazel to "play as if your momma had just died"), the quicker tempo and live setting give this a really firey edge. Whilst the original seemed melancholy and reflective, this version seems passionate and angry. Fantastic playing throughout, an absolutely killer piece to finish an album. Like the original, it's perfect for some late-night, hypnotic listening.
One Nation Under a Groove is essential listening throughout. A wide range of funk is expertly handled by a group of talented musicians, vocalists and songwriters. There is no let-up in quality and you really feel that living under the flag of The Funk would change this world for the better, especially if they were to get the guys who drew the ONUAG CD cover to design it. A must-have!
