blaksoulfire said:

I've listened to this for a month now -- IMHO hands down best release of the year.

I don't find it unfocused.

I am not annoyed by the rapping.

I love the new editions to the p-funk family.

I love how George has orchestrated this masterpiece.

I love Sly's contribution throughout -- and am so happy that he's been salvaged.

I just love this through and through!

I love it too. Recently listened on high-end headphones and it was SWEET. It has SO much to offer and stands apart so widely from anything else out there. P-Funk was always ahead of the game and on its own island, but now that distance may be bigger than it has ever been. What other 70+ year old has ever been associated with anything remotely this ambitious and leading edge? Let's see Prince top it when he gets that old.

As a former music journalist I actually had the pleasure to host George at my home in 1989 (I picked him up at his hotel and drove him to my house, and the first thing he did was sit down and start rolling a joint on my living room table) and at that time I told him I would love to be able to write his story. He said he was not close to doing that yet because so much more was left. I never imagined how 25 years later he would not only still be alive, but also coherent and producing something as epic as Shake the Gate. Too bad I did not get to work with him the book though!

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

HardcoreJollies said:

I love it too. Recently listened on high-end headphones and it was SWEET. It has SO much to offer and stands apart so widely from anything else out there. P-Funk was always ahead of the game and on its own island, but now that distance may be bigger than it has ever been. What other 70+ year old has ever been associated with anything remotely this ambitious and leading edge? Let's see Prince top it when he gets that old.

As a former music journalist I actually had the pleasure to host George at my home in 1989 (I picked him up at his hotel and drove him to my house, and the first thing he did was sit down and start rolling a joint on my living room table) and at that time I told him I would love to be able to write his story. He said he was not close to doing that yet because so much more was left. I never imagined how 25 years later he would not only still be alive, but also coherent and producing something as epic as Shake the Gate. Too bad I did not get to work with him the book though!

The record needs more press. It seemed to come out to little fanfare. I'm convinced there are a couple more singles here that could light up the radio in this day and age.

No doubt, where the hell is Rolling Stone on this one? Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's first release in 33 years and not even a review? How about a feature article too? Downside of not being part of a major label. It's up to the underground, colleges, independents and true funkateers to get it over. The Kanye's, Ice Cube's, Dr. Dre's, Snoop's and Jay Z's of the world should help push it through their many media outlets.

As much as I like the project, have to say the title track has got to be a candidate for the weakest title tune in Parliament-Funkadelic history. It is not one of my favorites on this set. It harkens back to some of the chaotic Westbound Funkadelic cuts but I generally like those better and they were usually not title songs.

I also wish there was an active P-Funk forum somewhere but I am not aware of any. This seems to be it!

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

mrwiggles said:

HardcoreJollies said:

As much as I like the project, have to say the title track has got to be a candidate for the weakest title tune in Parliament-Funkadelic history. It is not one of my favorites on this set. It harkens back to some of the chaotic Westbound Funkadelic cuts but I generally like those better and they were usually not title songs.

I also wish there was an active P-Funk forum somewhere but I am not aware of any. This seems to be it!

Were you hip to the old One Nation P-Funk Board Room? That was the spot for damn near 20 years. Ironically, they pulled the plug on it just before the new funk broke. Members of the band regularly checked in over there during its glory days.

as i was a member

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

HardcoreJollies said: The record needs more press. It seemed to come out to little fanfare. I'm convinced there are a couple more singles here that could light up the radio in this day and age.

No doubt, where the hell is Rolling Stone on this one? Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's first release in 33 years and not even a review? How about a feature article too? Downside of not being part of a major label. It's up to the underground, colleges, independents and true funkateers to get it over. The Kanye's, Ice Cube's, Dr. Dre's, Snoop's and Jay Z's of the world should help push it through their many media outlets.

There were only two copies of the CD set at my local record store...and I bought one. Plenty of Prince's recent releases, however...

Wish there was a source for all the lyrics. How come George does not post them on his site? What a great opportunity to just put up more information that does not cost him a dime.

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

HardcoreJollies said:

Wish there was a source for all the lyrics. How come George does not post them on his site? What a great opportunity to just put up more information that does not cost him a dime.

Haven't heard anything quite like Trey Lewd's twisted stuff. When you sit down and decipher what this brother is talking about he's just brilliant. So many tracks down thru the years including this LP that's just plain warped, and I mean that in a good way.

Agreed. I wonder how many folks really LISTEN 2 the words?................

Well, let me put it this way, I've listened to Parliament-Funkadelic for over 20 years now and have never cared if I sing along to the songs with the wrong words. Or even completely made up words.

Just got a notice P-Funk is coming to my area (Charlotte) in June. Of course, I have seen them dozens of times through the years but the shows have been samey for a long time now and so I am not too motivated. I feel like they are more for those looking to hear the big hits or have more recently discovered them than for the diehard, longtime funkateers who would like to see entire albums performed or a show of all obsure jams, etc.

With that said, wouldn't it be great if they did some shows focusing mostly on all the Shake the Gate material with some seldom-performed classics mixed in? I would be first in line for that ticket.

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

HardcoreJollies said:

Just got a notice P-Funk is coming to my area (Charlotte) in June. Of course, I have seen them dozens of times through the years but the shows have been samey for a long time now and so I am not too motivated. I feel like they are more for those looking to hear the big hits or have more recently discovered them than for the diehard, longtime funkateers who would like to see entire albums performed or a show of all obsure jams, etc.

With that said, wouldn't it be great if they did some shows focusing mostly on all the Shake the Gate material with some seldom-performed classics mixed in? I would be first in line for that ticket.

I dunno the times I've seen them in Charlotte down thru the years have been some of the more dynamic performances. I think they try to show out in GC's home state. I've seen P-Funk live well over a hundred times but what stands out in my mind are a few gigs, all in NC. They destroyed The Neighborhood Theater in May 2007 and again in Feb of 2008. Show was pounding so hard pieces of the roof were falling outta there. Later that spring I saw them light up the Orange Peel at Asheville. I've got a 3 cd set of a gig at Chapel Hill from 2004 that just cooks. I would definitely get there if I was still living down south. Should be interesting what they pull off of the new set. Have you seen G since he put down the pipe? If not, please go.

Hmm, maybe I will reconsider. I have not seen GC since he put down the pipe and also never here in NC as I moved here in 2006. I have continued to see videos and hear audios of shows since then. There are few tracks I never get tired of hearing live like Cosmic Slop or Red Hot Mamma but I feel no need to hear ones like Flashlight, Tear the Roof Off and Atomic Dog (especially without Bernie) again. Especially when they have such an amazing and expansive catalog to pull from. I am also tired of the medleys, I want the full cuts. I want to hear shit like Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock, Rumpofsteelskin, Ride On, Undisco Kidd, Funk Gets Stronger, Let's Play House, Quickie, Cool Joe, etc. plus some of the new shit. I have seen Bootsy in NC (Neighborhood Theater) though and that was pretty great.

The festival gig I saw this summer was far heavier on their rock side than the typical "P-Funk All Stars" shows from the last 20-30 years. Maybe they knew people in Northern Europe are mostly into rock and went with that, but it was really good regardless.

I've commented on this before, but the P-Funk All Stars were turning into a fairly harmless party band. They had become almost like a Parliament / Funkadelic cover band. I might have been just really into the gig I saw last summer as I was having so much fun in general, but I thought the approach was once again grittier, more menacing, more seventies than what I had even dared to expect. I really did feel that I was seeing Funkadelic - the band starting the set with "Standing On The Verge", the band members moving around more and all that.

I know that GC's voice isn't in that great shape anymore, but I wouldn't say it mattered so much as they were playing so loud. Besides I think it has actually improved over the last few years. I think he's gotten more determined to give good performances again.

novabrkr said:

The festival gig I saw this summer was far heavier on their rock side than the typical "P-Funk All Stars" shows from the last 20-30 years. Maybe they knew people in Northern Europe are mostly into rock and went with that, but it was really good regardless.

I've commented on this before, but the P-Funk All Stars were turning into a fairly harmless party band. ... I think he's gotten more determined to give good performances again.

They got really bad - not funky bad, but just plain lousy - after 2000; automatic pilot, tired and unfocused. GC himself was clearly in a bad state. Then Garry Shider and Belita Woods passed away, leaving a huge hole in the band. GC also lost a son earlier in 2010.

In 2011 he cleaned up and has been working on a comeback ever since. Ricky Rouse was brought in to fill some of the hole in the guitar dept. They started playing more old Funkadelic songs and Up For The Downstroke etc., keeping it straight, back to basics.

More recently Garrett Shider is taking a bigger role. Sure, he is not as good a singer as his dad, yet, but he is working incredibly hard at it. Watch this recent performance:

https://www.youtube.com/w...ohKCOZEfB8

And they are now doing a medley with stuff from Shake The Gate, with Treylewd on stage - and who is that second singer next to Steve Boyd? Paul Hill? And the ridiculously hot Kendra Foster...

https://www.youtube.com/w...6aYhtPvmzo

I hope they will bring more of the current Tallahassee crew into the live band, like drummer Nestor-Mumm Altuve, Michael B. Patterson, Bouvier Richardson, etc. along with a few veterans, even like Andre Foxxe, Amp Fiddler, Greg Boyer, etc.

[Edited 1/8/15 14:59pm]

modified said:

novabrkr said:

The festival gig I saw this summer was far heavier on their rock side than the typical "P-Funk All Stars" shows from the last 20-30 years. Maybe they knew people in Northern Europe are mostly into rock and went with that, but it was really good regardless.

I've commented on this before, but the P-Funk All Stars were turning into a fairly harmless party band. ... I think he's gotten more determined to give good performances again.

They got really bad - not funky bad, but just plain lousy - after 2000; automatic pilot, tired and unfocused. GC himself was clearly in a bad state. Then Garry Shider and Belita Woods passed away, leaving a huge hole in the band. GC also lost a son earlier in 2010.

In 2011 he cleaned up and has been working on a comeback ever since. Ricky Rouse was brought in to fill some of the hole in the guitar dept. They started playing more old Funkadelic songs and Up For The Downstroke etc., keeping it straight, back to basics.

More recently Garrett Shider is taking a bigger role. Sure, he is not as good a singer as his dad, yet, but he is working incredibly hard at it. Watch this recent performance:

https://www.youtube.com/w...ohKCOZEfB8

And they are now doing a medley with stuff from Shake The Gate, with Treylewd on stage - and who is that second singer next to Steve Boyd? Paul Hill? And the ridiculously hot Kendra Foster...

https://www.youtube.com/w...6aYhtPvmzo

I hope they will bring more of the current Tallahassee crew into the live band, like drummer Nestor-Mumm Altuve, Michael B. Patterson, Bouvier Richardson, etc. along with a few veterans, even like Andre Foxxe, Amp Fiddler, Greg Boyer, etc.

[Edited 1/8/15 14:59pm]

Thanks for the links. On the side of the page I saw this link https://www.youtube.com/w...OvM9LWRmOA, which I have seen but it has been a while. Damn, how tight and awesome were they then during their peak? Lawd have mercy. I think that was part of the Anti-Tour during which I caught they with the Brides at the Starwood in Hollywood, CA, and it was a couple hundred people standing room only being bombarded with the gospel funk for 3 hours. Unreal.

I also found this more recent linked show, and I think it is an improvement over what had turned into a bit of a parody as others here have mentioned concerning their live act. I like how they throw in some cuts like Cholly, Vanish in Our Sleep, Cookie Jar and that bass solo that leads into Cholly is sick. https://www.youtube.com/w...6aYhtPvmzo

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

HardcoreJollies said:

... at the peak in the 70s or the next peak around 95-96 ...

What about the Dennis Chambers-Rodney Skeet 1983-1985 period?

https://www.youtube.com/w...DMKkLyHbSc

https://www.youtube.com/w...1jCefuIIEw

https://www.youtube.com/w...nh6K9yowrc

The best I have seen them was around 1990, the last shows with Eddie Hazel - not sure if he is in this video... - Greg Boyer (!), David Spradley, Amp Fiddler, etc., long 'rhythm and rhyme' jams, ...

https://www.youtube.com/w...i8siB3XMo0

modified said:

mrwiggles said:

modified said:

What about the Dennis Chambers-Rodney Skeet 1983-1985 period?

https://www.youtube.com/w...DMKkLyHbSc

https://www.youtube.com/w...1jCefuIIEw

https://www.youtube.com/w...nh6K9yowrc

The best I have seen them was around 1990, the last shows with Eddie Hazel - not sure if he is in this video... - Greg Boyer (!), David Spradley, Amp Fiddler, etc., long 'rhythm and rhyme' jams, ...

https://www.youtube.com/w...i8siB3XMo0

The Dennis Chambers years in the mid 80's wasn't no joke. That's the crew that sent Prince to the studio for Erotic City after that Beverly Theatre gig at L.A. in '83. I call them fusion funk. That band was playing so fast George sez they (Dennis & Skeets) were trying to run Blackbyrd off the stage. That 89-90 Cinderella Theory crew was essentially that same core line up minus Dennis but with Tony Thomas on the kit, a cat Dennis brought to them. Noisy, chanky band that put an elastic taffy like stretch on the grooves. But there is something about that late 78-early 79 crew with Lampkin at the helm that grooves my ass off. I'm starting to vere way off topic here. [Edited 1/9/15 13:19pm]

I was at that Beverly Theater show. Very cool show and what I consider the beginnings of the P-Funk All-Stars concept. However, not as in the pocket and tight as the late 1970s band, imo. However, when Bootsy came out unexpectedly to tear through Body Slam at the Beverly show it was big-time electric. He killed it and then left the stage. After that for a time Bootsy became even more reclusive. Sure glad he did not go the way of Sly Stone.

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

modified said:

What about the Dennis Chambers-Rodney Skeet 1983-1985 period?

https://www.youtube.com/w...DMKkLyHbSc

https://www.youtube.com/w...1jCefuIIEw

https://www.youtube.com/w...nh6K9yowrc

The best I have seen them was around 1990, the last shows with Eddie Hazel - not sure if he is in this video... - Greg Boyer (!), David Spradley, Amp Fiddler, etc., long 'rhythm and rhyme' jams, ...

https://www.youtube.com/w...i8siB3XMo0

The Dennis Chambers years in the mid 80's wasn't no joke. That's the crew that sent Prince to the studio for Erotic City after that Beverly Theatre gig at L.A. in '83. I call them fusion funk. That band was playing so fast George sez they (Dennis & Skeets) were trying to run Blackbyrd off the stage. That 89-90 Cinderella Theory crew was essentially that same core line up minus Dennis but with Tony Thomas on the kit, a cat Dennis brought to them. Noisy, chanky band that put an elastic taffy like stretch on the grooves. But there is something about that late 78-early 79 crew with Lampkin at the helm that grooves my ass off. I'm starting to vere way off topic here. [Edited 1/9/15 13:19pm]

Vere......my dear. (Bootsy)

mrwiggles said:

HardcoreJollies said:

I was at that Beverly Theater show. Very cool show and what I consider the beginnings of the P-Funk All-Stars concept. However, not as in the pocket and tight as the late 1970s band, imo. However, when Bootsy came out unexpectedly to tear through Body Slam at the Beverly show it was big-time electric. He killed it and then left the stage. After that for a time Bootsy became even more reclusive. Sure glad he did not go the way of Sly Stone.

Now this is the kind of stuff that is priceless to hear about. Dayum you witnessed a historical moment in funk. What I would have given to seen that gig. Casper says that tour showed him he still had the goods, but the business end had the same old shenanigans and it turned him off. For what it's worth I still say the tightest heaviest unit they had is the original Mothership crew from 76-77 with Boogie Mosson on bass and Bigfoot Brailey on the kit. They got more improvisational after that, which isn't necessarily a bad thing either. [Edited 1/9/15 18:22pm]

Actually they are coming to Winston-Salem Feb. 12, about an hour away from me. I feel like George did so much press for his book but nothing specifically for the album. He now needs to pump it up with dedicated appearances and interviews, etc. Plus, isn't anyone working in any PR capacity for him or the label?

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

HardcoreJollies said:

... isn't anyone working in any PR capacity for him or the label?

It seems the record is just out there with no push whatsoever ...

The album is self-released; The C Kunspyruhzy is GC's own label. It looks like they were counting on the book promotion to lauch the album, but the public/media doesn't seem to make the connection. They see GC/p-funk as a 1970s nostalgia act and either don't understand there is a new album or don't take it seriously.

GC has worked on a multi-level strategy. Soul Clap released a non-album track from their sessions with GC that has more views on youtube than anything from the album. Soul Clap should do some dance floor remixes of album tracks like Pole Power, Meow Meow, Yellow Light.

GC also recorded tracks with Kendrick Lamar and in Britain with Boy George and Rudimental - he said in an interview he felt he hit the jackpot with that last one. These collaborations are supposedly more musically substantial than the guest appearances he did in his crack days. Hopefully those tracks will reintroduce p-funk to new audiences.

And then there is a Parliament album supposed to come out soon after this one, along with releases by other The C Kunspyruhzy acts. But I think they underestimated how hard it would be to break through that retro act perception.

[Edited 1/17/15 13:01pm]

modified said:

mrwiggles said:

modified said:

The album is self-released; The C Kunspyruhzy is GC's own label. It looks like they were counting on the book promotion to lauch the album, but the public/media doesn't seem to make the connection. They see GC/p-funk as a 1970s nostalgia act and either don't understand there is a new album or don't take it seriously.

GC has worked on a multi-level strategy. Soul Clap released a non-album track from their sessions with GC that has more views on youtube than anything from the album. Soul Clap should do some dance floor remixes of album tracks like Pole Power, Meow Meow, Yellow Light.

GC also recorded tracks with Kendrick Lamar and in Britain with Boy George and Rudimental - he said in an interview he felt he hit the jackpot with that last one. These collaborations are supposedly more musically substantial than the guest appearances he did in his crack days. Hopefully those tracks will reintroduce p-funk to new audiences.

And then there is a Parliament album supposed to come out soon after this one, along with releases by other The C Kunspyruhzy acts. But I think they underestimated how hard it would be to break through that retro act perception.

[Edited 1/17/15 13:01pm]

To me, your insight is quite spot on. I also feel from a critical stand point a lot of press folks basically wrote The Dr off after How Late and simply don't want to be bothered with the new record. Not unlike the proverbial boy who cried wolf. He finally put out the real deal and now no one is listening.

Hate to say it but I believe once again there is the racial factor again. Name a white act with the kind of stature of Funkadelic/GC that has sold out stadiums, millions of records, critical acclaim, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, musicians' musicians, puts out a monumental album as their first release in 33 years(!), even 10 if you go back to How Late is impressive, and gets almost no attention?! They should be on equal footing as a band like Led Zeppelin and check how much ongoing attention they get if Jimmy Page so much as passes gas. Don't get me wrong, I love Zep too, but c'mon. Massive injustice happening here.

HardcoreJollies said:

mrwiggles said:

modified said: To me, your insight is quite spot on. I also feel from a critical stand point a lot of press folks basically wrote The Dr off after How Late and simply don't want to be bothered with the new record. Not unlike the proverbial boy who cried wolf. He finally put out the real deal and now no one is listening.

Hate to say it but I believe once again there is the racial factor again. Name a white act with the kind of stature of Funkadelic/GC that has sold out stadiums, millions of records, critical acclaim, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, musicians' musicians, puts out a monumental album as their first release in 33 years(!), even 10 if you go back to How Late is impressive, and gets almost no attention?! They should be on equal footing as a band like Led Zeppelin and check how much ongoing attention they get if Jimmy Page so much as passes gas. Don't get me wrong, I love Zep too, but c'mon. Massive injustice happening here.

I see where you're coming from, but, regardless of its quality, this new 'Funkadelic' album is, to the outside world, viewed as more of a P-Funk All-Stars album, just now George has finally regained the rights to use the Funkadelic name.

If it had Bootsy, Bernie, Bigfoot Brailey, Horney Horns etc all heavily featured, then critics etc would be more likely to say it deserved to be called 'Funkadelic'.

Having said that, personally, I disregard all the other band names GC and co. have used down the years, be it Parliament, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Brides of Funkenstein, P-Funk All-Stars etc.

For me, if it's a mainly funk/ funk-rock based record that's led by George, Bootsy, Bernie, Fuzzy Haskins, Bigfoot Brailey (ie Mutiny), Billy Bass Nelson, Tawl Ross or Eddie Hazel (when he was around), either all together, or just one of them, eg. any Bootsy or Mutiny album, then to my mind it's a part of the Funkadelic discography. Funkadelic is one of the great band names of all time and it pretty much always suits the contents of the records these guys have made, either together or apart. I see the band as more of a loose collective with revolving leadership, though mainly led by GC.

So it's ALL Funkadelic to me .

[Edited 1/18/15 12:34pm]