Track Listing:
Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy {G Clinton, Ron Dunbar} 15:15
I'm Holding You Responsible {G Clinton, Eddie Hazel} 5:30
Smoke Signals {W Collins, G Clinton} 6:40
Mother May I? {G Shider, Tracey Lewis, Jim Vitti} 5:35
Party Up In Here {G Clinton, Rodney Curtis} 5:33
Didn't Mean To Fall In Love {R Dunbar, Pete Bishop} 4:00
Personnel:
Producer: George Clinton
Producer on "Smoke Signals": Bootsy Collins, George Clinton
Producer on "Didn't Mean To Fall In Love": Ron Dunbar
Vocals: The Brides of Funkenstein (Dawn Silva, Sheila Horn, Jeanette McGruder)
Keyboards: Gary Hudgins, Bernie Worrell, Ernestro Wilson, Jerome Rogers,
Rudy Robinson
Bass: Jeff Bunn, Bootsy Collins, Rodney Curtis, Donnie Sterling,
Bruce Nazarian
Guitar: DeWayne McKnight, Garry Shider, Michael Hampton, Eddie Hazel,
Rodney Crutcher, Bruce Nazarian, Bootsy Collins
Drums: Dennis Chambers, Bootsy Collins, Kenny Colton, Jerry Jones
Percussion: Larry Fratangelo, Carl "Butch" Small
Additional Vocals: Jessica Cleaves, Ray Davis, Mallia Franklin, Dr Funk,
Tracey Lewis
Rating: RC: ***1/2
Comment: RC: The second Brides album sees Lynn Mabry departing, and the addition of Sheila Horn and Jeanette McGruder as new co-lead singers. This time, there were more tracks recorded especially for them, featuring four of their touring band's members: bass player Jeff Bunn, guitarist DeWayne McKnight, keyboardist Gary Hudgins and drummer Dennis Chambers. All of these men would end up staying with the P.Funk Mob for years to come, in all of its various incarnations. Other assorted session men and P.Funkers popped up as well. New P.Funk member Ron Dunbar worked extensively with the three Brides, writing and producing many of the songs. The result is another extremely solid album, with a number of dance tracks, funky numbers and ballads, balanced well.
The opener is the epic dance track "Never Buy Texas...", a remarkable song which was undoubtedly inspired by "Knee Deep". It features an incredibly funky keyboard line and clever lyrics, with numerous solos throughout. It's a bit repititious at times, as most long dance tracks are, but rarely loses focus. "I'm Holding You..." is a decent string and horn dominated number that is most notable for great singing. "Smoke Signals" is a good tune that sounds Rubber Band-ish, with a solid Bootsy rhythm and backup vocals from Clinton. It's a dance tune that spotlights the vocalists, and stays in a basic groove musically. Chuck Brown's "Bustin' Loose" is heard as a brief snippet. "Mother May I" starts off with a fine guitar solo and interesting percussion that spices up the standard harmonies of the singers. Its tempo sounds almost upbeat, but the vocals are more suited to a ballad. Strings help layer the standard rhythm and the excellent guitar solo that comes later in the song. "Party Up In Here" is one of the funkiest numbers on the record, with a doubled up guitar/bass riff that also matches up with the horn riff, and excellent singing that gets down and dirty while also producing some beautiful harmonies. "Didn't Mean To Fall In Love" is the only pure love ballad on the album, and the singing carries it. The string and rhythm arrangements are both standard.
This album is out of print, not appearing on CD either, but is definitely a necessity for any serious P.Funk fan. It can be found for anywhere between $10 and $30, with its availability being generally OK. The cover features a drawing of the Brides' legs under a giant cowboy hat.
MT: In addition to Blackbyrd and Cherokee - Dennis Chambers also got his start in P-Funk as a member of the Brides touring band (and was featured on this album too).