Track Listing: CD1: P. Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up) 2:20 Introduction of Band/ Do That Stuff 10:52 Cosmic Slop 10:13 Medley: Let's Take It To The Stage/ Mothership Connection/ I Call My Baby Pussycat 8:38 Give Up the Funk 12:47 (not just} Knee Deep 13:00 CD2: Maggot Brain 16:47 One Nation Under A Groove 9:06 Atomic Dog 9:58 Flash Light 4:58 Personnel: Keyboards: Bernie Worrell, Jerome Rogers Horns: Greg Boyer, Bernie Cowan, Greg Thomas (The P. Funk Horns, aka Baltimore Connection) Guitar: Michael Hampton, Eddie Hazel, DeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight, Cordell "Boogie" Mosson, Garry Shider Bass: Rodney "Skeet" Curtis Drums: Dennis Chambers Vocals: George Clinton, Lige Curry, Ron Ford, Robert Johnson, Michael "Clip" Payne MC and Flute: Maceo Parker Review: GZ: ? RC: **** MM: ****Comments:
RC: Until the 4-CD Greatest Hits Live set came out, this was the best released live album from the Funk Mob. A classic lineup and all the greatest hits are here. Note that the cassette version does not include "One Nation". Writing credits for these songs are noted in their studio release. The album was originally recorded in 1983.
The album takes a little while to get going. It wastes a bit of time on the intros while the riffs for "Chocolate City" and "Do That Stuff" play. One of the hottest "Cosmic Slop" versions on record follows, but things slow down again with the "Let's Take It To The Stage" medley. But things pick up again with "Give Up The Funk", an excellent version that incorporates horn arrangements from Bootsy's "Psychoticbumpschool" and "Bootzilla". The second disc is packed with frantic versions of "Knee Deep", "Flash Light" and "Atomic Dog", which was their big hit at the time. A mellow version of "One Nation" also works well. The version of "Maggot Brain" here is very unusual; there's a long flute intro from Maceo Parker. It incorporates three guitarists, with Blackbyrd getting into the act.
The other problem with the album is that there aren't enough obscure numbers or new songs played; a psychotic version of "Loopzilla" had been planned for the album, but then was dropped. But overall, this is the most coherent live release from P.Funk, and the presence of superdrummer Dennis Chambers keeps it funky.
MM: I like the version of "Cosmic Slop" here. Of course, any version of "Cosmic Slop" is great.