The all-star extravaganza that George Clinton has been wanting to record for years is here! These P-Funk style versions of George s favorite classic love sexy R&B tracks from over the years as well as the dynamic originals make George Clinton And His Gangsters Of Love the ultimate Clinton musical experience. Guest artists include Santana, Sly Stone, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, El DeBarge, The RZA, Kim Burrell, Shavo from System of A Down and more!
Personnel: George Clinton (vocals); Kim Manning, El DeBarge, John Frusciante, Kim Burrell, Ronald Spearman, Sly Stone, Belita Woods, Paul Hill, Kendra Foster (vocals); P-Nut Johnson, Darryl Scott, The Philly ...Fillies, Eban Kelly, Janice McClain, Chiquita Green (background vocals); Ricardo Rouse, BJ, Mark Bass, David Spradley, Foley, Larry Fratangelo, The Wizard, Bobby Eli, Chris "Big Dog" Davis.
Reviewed For TheFunkStore.com..By
Compiled For TheFunkStore.com..By:Tylard Tatt II
GEORGE CLINTON
GEORGE CLINTON
AND HIS GANGSTERS OF LOVE
TCC/TFS Release Date:9/16/2008
LABEL:Shanachie
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN : USA
ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE:N/A
DISC : 1
CONDITION:NEW
STOCK STATUS:*INSTOCK*
USUALLY SHIPS IN 24/48Hrs
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“Once I saw Frankie Lymon that was it”. So speaks P-Funk master George Clinton about his initial inspiration to sing a simple song way back in the mid-1950’s. He formed the original do-wopping Parliaments and hit the street corner with stoned soul harmonies that have long since become legendary pre-funk staples. Song’s like “Poor Willie”, “Party Boys” and a handful of others including The Parliaments “Heart Trouble” made it obvious this was the music he loved and longed for.
Much of which influenced and shaped later vocal arrangements that would show up on albums by Parlet, The Brides, Funkadelic and a plethora of various bands he produced in his 50 + years of music-making. So it really comes as no surprise to me the elder statesman of freaky funk would return to his roots sooner or later on this spell-binding Gangsters of Love project.
Long before the jive-talkin’ street rappin’ alter egos of Star Child, Sir Nose and Dr. Funkenstein acid fried our maggot-brained consciousness in the 70’s , George Clinton was a creative hairstylist and talented singer with an incredibly smooth falsetto. What is surprising here is just how crisp and well-seasoned that voice has remained as he enters his 67th year on the planet, sure its raspy as hell but has aged like a fine wine. I am convinced The Dr. is a sensitive man with multiple personality disorder that he uses to his advantage.
Tracks like Johnny Ace’s “Pledging My Love”, Shep & The Heartbreak’s “A Thousand Miles Away” and the aforementioned “Heart Trouble” (the vocal backbone of Funkadelic’s later “You Can’t Miss What You Can’t Measure”)find him cooing and crooning and nibbling on his sweetheart’s earlobe. RHCP’s Flea & John Frusciante spice up Louis Jordan’s “Let the Good Times Roll”. Many of the arrangements will have you digging the crates for the originals to see just how creative and genius some of these re-workings are.
Even though the record is chock full of guest spots it’s clear this is one of George Clinton’s finest hours as he sounds invigorated, inspired and is having a ball in the studio. All of the backing vocals are smooth and creamy. Belita Woods turns in an outstanding performance on cuts like Cliff Richard’s “It’s All In The Game”, a truly soul-soothing track that soars into the clouds & the latin-drenched version of Dean Martin’s “Sway”.
Curtis Mayfield may be George’s all time favorite lyricist and he pays homage well on the bouncy “Gypsy Woman”. Carlos Santana adds his hot sauce. P-Funk alumni like percussionist Larry Fratangelo and keyboard wiz David Spradley join current vocalist Kendra Foster for The Romantic’s “Our Day Will Come”. Foster also shines on the bonus “Stillness In Motion” featuring Shavo Odajian and current P-Funk keyboardist/visionary Danny Bedrosian plus the legendary Garry “Diaperman” Shider.
The careers of El Debarge and Sly Stone are revived to revitalizing effect on cut’s like Marvin’s “Ain’t That Peculiar”, the Maestro Barry White’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” and the bonus “Fever” originally laid down by Little Willie John. The truly incredible Jessica Cleaves chimes in on a tempestuous horn-laden, string-fested remake of Bootsy’s “As In (I Love You)”. One of the LPs true centerpieces is the magnificent jazz ballad “Mathematics Of Love”, a delectable musical showcase featuring Gospel great Kim Burrell.
I am delighted to have this in my collection and very well pleased GC decided this was a record he needed to make. Another shade in one of the many personalities of Uncle Jam.
Noted Cincinnati-OH Funk Journalist~"Bustin'"Bob Mitchell
TRACK LISTING
1.Ain't That Peculiar 4:35~Listen
2.Never Gonna Give You Up 4:33~Listen
3.Mathematics of Love 7:06~Listen
4.Let The Good Times Roll 2:33~Listen
5.Pledging My Love 3:27~Listen
6.Gypsy Woman 5:43~Listen
7.It's All In The Game 3:26~Listen
8.Heart Trouble 3:26~Listen
9.Our Day Will Come 3:12~Listen
10.Sway 4:53~Listen
11.A Thousand Miles Away 4:09~Listen
12.Heaven 5:18 [Bonus Track]~Listen
13.As In 6:22 [Bonus Track]~Listen
14.Stillness In Motion 4:35 [Bonus Track]~Listen
15.Fever 4:35 [Bonus Track]~Listen
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