Day 0666 - World Clique

Dee-Lite "World Clique" (1990) - got it

More than just "Groove is in the Heart".  This is an album that features guest spots from such luminaries as Bootsy Collins, Herbie Hancock and Maceo Parker.  But it is more than those guest spots too.  This is an album that grooves from start to finish.  Some of the big rollicking beats and jagged piano date the music slightly, but aside from that, it's a great mix of techno, funk and pop.

Different styles and sounds are on display, mixing live instruments and samples.  Lady Miss Kier's voice provides enough variety that I didn't grow weary of hearing the same singer throughout.

Day 0410 - One Nation Under a Groove

Funkadelic "One Nation Under a Groove" (1978)

 
I love George Clinton's funk bands (Funkadelic, Parliament, Brides of Funkenstein etc.) and I definitely dig the guitar-heavy, tight funk sound being rocked here by Funkadelic in one of their most popular (though I don't actually own... yet) and commercially successful albums. 

The first couple of tracks are tight, yet smooth grooves.  There are a couple of distorted guitar-backed funk-rock tracks, and amongst all of this there is still the space for looser extended jams like "PE Squad/Doo doo chasers".

Interesting fact that I did not know: Funkadelic bassist and solo artist in his own right, Bootsy Collins was originally a member of James Brown's backing band, the JBs. Not such a crazy idea I guess, Hendrix used to be in the backing band for the Isley Bros before he did his own thing.

Day 0361 - Mothership Connection

Parliament "Mothership Connection" (got it) - 1971

Starts off with some nice roomy, minimalist funk, with the instruments creating tons of space that George Clinton drawls over... kind of reminiscent of Clinton's other band at the time Funkadelic. From there the album launches into a cathartic explosion of horns, bubbly bass lines and vocal ensembles.

Despite its political name, the songs seem keeps away from the socially conscious lyrics of some funk bands (and some of Parliament's own other albums), opting instead for a heady mix of sex, fun, and weird.

The sheer amount of talent Clinton had assembled in the band is made apparent by the fact that half of the members eventually left and started their own bands/solo projects.