One Nation Under a Groove
| One Nation Under a Groove | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Funkadelic | ||||
| Released | September 4, 1978 | |||
| Recorded |
1977-1978 United Sound (Detroit, Michigan) Monroe Civic Center (Monroe, Louisiana) | |||
| Genre | Funk, soul, rock | |||
| Length |
41:40 (original album) 16:58 (bonus EP) 58:38 (total) | |||
| Label |
Warner Bros. WB 56-539 | |||
| Producer | George Clinton | |||
| Funkadelic chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Original LP inner sleeve | ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [1] |
| Billboard | (favorable)[2] |
| Blender | [3] |
| Robert Christgau | (A)[4] |
| Entertainment Weekly | (A)[5] |
| Tower.com | [6] |
| Rolling Stone |  [7] |
| Sputnikmusic | [8] |
| Vibe | (favorable)[9] |
One Nation Under a Groove is the tenth studio album by American funk and rock band Funkadelic, released in September 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.[6] 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, and one of its most critically lauded. It is also regarded by many as the greatest funk album of all time and ranks at or near the top of many "best album" lists in disparate genres.[10] The album was later featured on Vibe magazine's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century list. In 2003, the album is ranked number 177 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[11] The album is listed as one of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[12]
Songs and music
One Nation Under a Groove is a very loose concept album (as are most of Funkadelic's works), essentially declaring the power of Funk (see P Funk mythology) to do two interconnected things: become an open-minded, happy, and goal-oriented person, and dance well. This is the power of Funk stated in less clear terms on previous albums (Free Your Mind... And Your Ass Will Follow).
"One Nation Under a Groove"
This song became Funkadelic's biggest hit and the group's only million selling single, and is today regarded as one of their signature songs, being a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll and Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". It was also a top 40 hit. The song refers to dancing as a path to freedom: the "dancing" can be seen as metaphoric, though.
"Groovallegiance"
A song with a slow funky beat, Groovallegiance continues the album's loose concept about forming "One Nation Under a Groove". It references the "United Funk of Funkadelica", supposedly the one nation referred to in the title and presents the taking of an oath pledging groovallegiance to the funk. Groovallegiance is an excellent example of the vocal finesse of the group and also features a rare bass solo.
"Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!"
In keeping the album's theme of breaking political, social, and musical barriers, this song is a cross between funk and rock, mixing a funky bassline with heavy, more rock oriented guitar and drums. The lyrics are simple, referring to why a funk band can, contrary to popular belief, play rock: regardless, it is one of their most popular songs.
"P.E. Squad (The Doo-Doo Chasers)"
"Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo-Doo Chasers)" is a long, scatological song with references to the world being, among other things, a toll-free toilet.
"Into You"
A Funk ballad that features bass singer Ray Davis as the primary lead vocalist, a rarity among Funkadelic songs.
"Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!)"
This song deals with a man once interested in classical music who is introduced to funk and phone cords by some friends of his: at first, he is doubtful of it, but he eventually grows to love it.
Original LP track listing
In the US, the original album came with a bonus 7" EP.[13] In Europe, the Bonus-EP was replaced by a bonus 12" 45rpm mini-album containing the 3 EP tracks on one side and an extended version of "One Nation Under a Groove" on the other.
| Side One | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "One Nation Under a Groove" | George Clinton, Walter Morrison, Garry Shider | 7:29 |
| 2. | "Groovallegiance" | Clinton, Morrison, Bernard Worrell | 7:00 |
| 3. | "Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!" | Clinton, Morrison, Michael Hampton | 6:18 |
| Side Two | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers)" | Clinton, Shider, Linda Brown | 10:45 |
| 2. | "Into You" | Clinton, Morrison, William Collins | 5:41 |
| 3. | "Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!)" | Clinton, Morrison, Collins | 4:27 |
| Total length: | 41:40 | ||
| Bonus EP side one (listed as side three on the cover, side four on the label) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Maggot Brain/Chant (Think It Ain't Illegal Yet!)" (Live at Monroe Civic Center, Monroe, Louisiana 15-4-78) | Clinton, Edward Hazel | 8:28 |
| Bonus EP side two (listed as side four on the cover, side three on the label) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!)" | Clinton, Worrell | 4:12 |
| 2. | "P.E. Squad/Doo Doo Chasers" | Clinton, Shider, Brown | 4:18 |
| Total length: | 16:58 | ||
US Priority CD track listing
(note that the UK Charly Groove presents side one of the EP (Lunchmeat/PE) as tracks 7 & 8 and side two (Maggot Brain) as track 9.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "One Nation Under a Groove" | George Clinton, Walter Morrison, Garry Shider | 7:29 |
| 2. | "Groovallegiance" | Clinton, Morrison, Bernard Worrell | 7:00 |
| 3. | "Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!" | Clinton, Morrison, Michael Hampton | 6:18 |
| 4. | "Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers)" | Clinton, Shider, Linda Brown | 10:45 |
| 5. | "Into You" | Clinton, Morrison, William Collins | 5:41 |
| 6. | "Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!)" | Clinton, Morrison, Collins | 4:27 |
| 7. | "Maggot Brain/Chant (Think It Ain't Illegal Yet!)" (Live) | Clinton, Edward Hazel | 8:28 |
| 8. | "Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!)" | Clinton, Worrell | 4:12 |
| 9. | "P.E. Squad/Doo Doo Chasers" | Clinton, Shider, Brown | 4:18 |
| Total length: | 58.38 | ||
Personnel
Funkadelic Main Invasion Force (as given in the liner notes):
- Throbbasonic Funkgeetarists:
- Banjo'd Muthaplucker:
- Avatarian
- Mike Hampton
- Keybo' Dans & Synthezoidees:
- Rotofunkie Drum & Percussionatin' Thumpdans:
- Jerome Brailey, W. Bootsy Collins, Larry Fratangelo, Tyrone Lampkin
- Bass Thumpasaurians:
- William 'Bootsy' Collins, Rodney "Skeet" Curtis, Cordell 'Boogie' Mosson
- Funkadelic Blamgusta Vocaloids (Voices For Da Nation!):
- George Clinton, Raymond (Stingray) Davis, Ron Ford, Mallia Franklin, Lynn Mabry, W. 'Junie' Morrison, Cordell Mosson, Dawn Silva, Gary "Dowop" Shider, Greg Thomas, Jeanette Washington, Debbie Wright
See also
References
- ↑ Allmusic review
- ↑ Billboard review
- ↑ Blender review
- ↑ Robert Christgau review
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly review
- 1 2 Tower.com: One Nation Under a Groove. Tower.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-11.
- ↑ Rolling Stone Album Guide
- ↑ Sputnikmusic review
- ↑ Vibe review
- ↑ Acclaimed Music - One Nation Under a Groove (rankings, ratings, etc.). Acclaimed Music. Retrieved on 2008-08-11.
- ↑ 177) One Nation Under a Groove : Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2008-08-11.
- ↑ Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (23 March 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2.
- ↑ "Funkadelic – One Nation Under A Groove". discogs.com. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
External links
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| Studio albums |
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| Live albums | |
| Compilation albums | |
| Singles | |
| Related | |
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