Cosmic Slop [Import]

Funkadelic: Gary Shider, Ron Bykowski (guitar); Bernie Worrell (melodica, keyboards); Boogie Mosson (bass); Tyrone Lampkin (percussion). Additional personnel: Tiki Fulwood (drums). Recorded at Manta Dound, Toronto, Canada and United Sound, Detroit, Michigan. Includes liner notes by Sir Lieb. With each successive release, Funkadelic was streamlining its sound, a process culminating in such early '70s classics as COSMIC SLOP. The group's acid rock-heavy early work had metamorphosed into straight-up, party hearty funk, with lyrics that alternate between the serious (the title track) and the humorous ("No Compute"). It may not be as awe-inspiring as their masterpiece, MAGGOT BRAIN, but, more than any other Funkadelic album, COSMIC SLOP stresses the importance of the almighty groove. The album opens with one of Funkadelic's funkiest tracks ever, the largely instrumental "Nappy Dugout." It's clear from the start that Funkadelic, despite a revolving cast of characters, is one of the tightest bands around. The aforementioned title track is perhaps the group's best known number. It tells the downhearted tale of a young single mother who has to turn to the shadier side of the streets to support her family, but the music has obvious pop leanings. Other highlights include the vicious Led Zeppelin-esque rocker "Trash A-Go-Go," the album-closing soul ballad "Can't Stand the Strain," and the brokenhearted "You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure."