Funkadelic / Parliament (& related) ~ USA ~ New Jersey ~ Detroit, Michigan

Eddie Hazel - Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs (1977) + Jams From The Heart (EP) (1975 / 1994)

---Nov 2004

Eddie Hazel's sole album is absolutely essential for fans of Hendrix fueled funk. As close as we’ll ever get to knowing what it would be like if Hendrix were to go the funk route outside of classic Funkadelic of course.

The bonus tracks are from the posthumous Jams From the Heart EP recorded in 1975, and not released until 1994. The music is just as stated - long overloaded guitar jams. Good stuff, if not overly focused, more boogie oriented on the first long jam, more blues based on the other. There are two shorter pieces as well including my fave ‘Unkut Funk’.

---12/29/25

And that was my last listen long before the advent of UMR. Since that time, my interest in funk has gone considerably up. Especially from the 45 scene, where there are many more examples of psychedelic funk. 45s are a good format for the style as they usually get right to business and don't piddle around to fill the LP length. Eddie Hazel's album is like one big string of psych funk 45s. The covers are so rearranged and distorted you'll be hard pressed to name the original. That's a plus. As indicated in my original review, essential for the style. 

Though Jams from the Heart is technically an EP, it isn't much shorter than the Game LP. These recordings weren't ever meant for commercial release, so we basically get to hear Hazel jam in the studio. Sounds like a great idea to me.

Ownership: 2004 Rhino Handmade (CD). Four bonus tracks. Numbered edition (mine is #3233).

11//04 (acquired / review); 12/29/25 (update)

Standing on the Verge of Getting It On (1974)

Funkadelic's 6th album brings back Eddie Hazel on guitar after a two album break. If you didn't know any better, one could be forgiven in thinking this was a hard rock album. Or at least heavy psych in the Hendrix tradition. It's hard hitting rock that eventually does demonstrate their funk roots in the middle of the album. The final track 'Good Thoughts, Bad Thoughts' proves that Funkadelic still had reverence for the last part of their name. Considered by many to be their finest album, it certainly gives Maggot Brain a run for its money. The latter possessing stronger material but is less consistent. 

Lyrically this album is Standing on the Verge of Getting Can-Celled. In our current bizarre culture, even a clinically crazy group like Funkadelic is finding themselves under the lens. The opening silly dialogue and tracks like 'Jimmy's Got a Little Bitch In Him' are already under scrutiny by those that feel they are insensitive and do not pass their "purity test". At the current rate, this album will be banned in 10 years. No wonder everyone is running out to get their copy. America Eats Its Young indeed. Who said that anyway? Oh yea, I know.

To this day I haven't heard the two albums that precede this, something I'm sure will be rectified eventually.

Ownership: 1974 Westbound (LP). Gatefold.

3/15/05 (CD acquired); 8/25/22 (LP acquired / review)

Funkadelic (1970) 

In recent years, funk has become one of my favorite styles. So I was very much looking forward to revisiting this title in the collection. It's an interesting debut - not particularly funky at all. It does have psychedelic aspects, mostly found in the production and with Eddie Hazel's guitar. The latter is not near as focused or as intense as their 3rd album Maggot Brain. A lot of loose jamming can be heard here - many compare to Jimi Hendrix's albums from the same era, but I would suggest this is more laid back than that might imply. One of those albums I'm sure I'd appreciate more as an original LP, but those are extremely hard to find at any kind of a reasonable price. For now I can let the CD fly. 

Former ownership: 2000 Westbound (CD) 

2003 (CD acquired); 6/20/22 (review) 

Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975) 

So... what would be the opposite of Fleetwood Mac? Rhetorical question. Whatever traces of seriousness George Clinton had left for Funkadelic are now completely wiped out on the resuscitated Parliament project (once a doo-wop group going back to the 1950s called The Parliaments, when Clinton was still a young teen). This album has one purpose - to Par-Tay. It's funked up, prosifunkstication, and thumpasorus. P-Funk is its own genre for a reason. It's pure funk too, so no psychedelic guitar frenzies or progressive rock charting to get in the way of the dance floor. And a heck of a lot of fun.

Former ownership: 1976 Casablanca (LP). New label design. Acquired in 2020.

12/22/20 (review)

 

Maggot Brain (1971)

Maggot Brain is the 3rd album from Funkadelic, and is often cited as their masterpiece. No argument from me, though it is quite a departure from their ordinary sound. The title track has to be the darnedest opening to a funk rock album that has ever been. Sounding like a cosmic Krautrock piece, Eddie Hazel conjures up My Solid Ground on 'Dirty Yellow Mist' playing the music of Dom's Edge of Time. I will never tire of music such as this. Can you imagine if Eddie Hazel was the guitarist for Del Jones? Well then, there would be no point in owning any other albums.

I'm not particularly fond of the more traditional soul funk tracks here such as 'Can You Get to That' or 'Back in Our Minds'. The hard hitting psychedelic funk of 'Hit It and Quit It' and 'Super Stupid' are Funkadelic at their energetic best. And 'Wars of Armageddon' closes in great fashion with more heavy guitar and some experimental collage work. Yep, I'm standing in line for this one. 

Ownership: Westbound UK (CD). 90's pressing.

1998 (acquired); 2/7/15; 12/20/19 (review)

12/20/19 (new entry)

John Macey ~ USA ~ New Jersey

Meltdown (1984)

New Jersey based guitarist John Macey released three albums in his lifetime, with Meltdown being his second. Mostly this is a rough edged fusion album, far away from the glossy 80s. Pretty much the opposite of the ECM dominated jazz sounds of the day. He's on the same plane with Tony Noterfonzo, Robert Baglione (Continuum), Derek Newark, and others. There's also some of that Stevie Ray Vaughan Texas Blues going on as well. Perhaps you've heard of that special guest? Highlights are the smoking opener and closer.

Love the response cover to legendary fellow Jersey fusion guitarist Al Di Meola. Remember Elegant Gypsy? He's all dressed up in a 2 piece, while the beautiful flamenco dancer promises a romantic dalliance. Macey gives us the other-side-of-the-tracks point of view. Note label name as well.

Ownership: 1984 G-String (LP)

9/17/18 (acquired); 9/15/25 (review / new entry)

Gabrielle Roth and The Mirrors ~ USA ~ New Jersey

Dancing Toward the One / Sacred Rock (1982)

Dancing Toward the One is exactly the kind of tape I seek in the wilds. There was a lot of very interesting music released in the world during the 1980s that never saw a vinyl pressing, nor a CD later in the decade. Both were too expensive to produce whereas the lonely tape was much cheaper to get out to the masses.

Based on what I've read, Roth was a key mover and shaker in the health and body dance movement, something she invented to overcome a skiing accident. This kind of thinking was coming to prominence in the 80s. There are many tapes in the new age genre, the key is finding the ones that are musically interesting. It appears to me that most of Roth's output is electronic / trance dance oriented, and that started with her creating the Raven label (I'm sure Discogs has the wrong appellation for the label here). I did buy one of her other later tapes so we'll see how it compares.

In any case Dancing Toward the One / Sacred Rock represents her debut, and I would submit this is one of those "accidental" cool albums we often find here in America. Her sound hasn't been shaped yet, and there are at least 15 musicians on the album. It's more tribal than dance, and best of all for us, it can get very psychedelic! The overall sound isn't that far removed from what was happening in England during time with the UK festival psych scene. I really don't think that was her intent, and yet the end result is very satisfying, and comes from a completely different perspective.

There are only two side long tracks here and neither are named 'Dancing Toward the One' or 'Sacred Rock'. Rather side one is 'Sing the Body' described as thus by Roth: "Is the first power chant I received from the spirit..." Wellll....good. I almost put the tape back after reading that. I thought to myself "here we go...". But I also thought "it's only 69 cents..." lol. The second side longer is titled 'Can You See Me' and this has the following description: "Was created in a healing circle as a dance meditation to be done in pairs." Nothing beats a healing circle... as long as it has loud psych guitars! Honestly the trance like rhythms aren't that far removed from what Can had created only a decade earlier. And while the vocals are not near as psychotic as Damo, they aren't too bad on the whole.

The world is an interesting place. Worth grabbing this one.

Ownership: 1982 The Moving Center (MC). 

7/6/24 (review / new entry)

Omnibus ~ USA ~ New Jersey

Omnibus (1970)

---1/5/11

Omnibus were a band from New Jersey with a strong affinity for the Doors. Perhaps given the later date, Omnibus were more aggressive than Morrison and company, and the organ of choice is the Hammond (instead of a Vox Continental). Plenty of psychedelic fuzz guitar as well. Vocalist does a nice job of emulating Jim Morrison's sonorous tone. File next to the first Dragonwyck album as a good example of post-Doors heavy rock. 

---6/15/23

Yep - not much to add there. The fuzz guitar is really stinging which is probably the largest separator from the Doors. Another one of those American albums that came around in 1970, about one year too late for its audience. 

Ownership: 1970 United Artists (LP). Gatefold. Orange and red labels.

An elaborate 2xLP reissue was issued by Wah Wah some years ago which includes all sorts of bonus material. As of 3/31/25 this album still hasn't been issued on CD (legit), and it would be great if they added the Wah Wah bonus tracks. I'd most certainly splurge for that.

1/5/11 (review); 6/15/23 (update / new entry)

Victoria ~ USA ~ New Jersey

Victoria (1971)

Victoria were yet another obscure band from the US who self-released an album for potential signing, only to be completely forgotten until 20 years later. They're a large ensemble with female vocals, and occasional stinging fuzz guitar. Also some creative keyboard work. Features a 12 and a half minute track 'Village of Etaf' that most certainly predicts the oncoming progressive rock movement. Despite this, the best songs are the hard driving 'Gevaro' and the mesmerizing Group 1850 styled 'Core of the Apple', especially considering the vintage organ sounds. There's also just some OK tracks interspersed that presumably were more geared toward radio play, but haven't really aged that well.

The CD adds seven bonus tracks, mostly from their more pop focused material.

Ownership: 1998 Little Indians (CD). Red velvet cover. Seven bonus tracks. Archival photos. Acquired in 2013.

First copy: 1997 Little Indians (LP). Red velvet cover. Acquired in 1997.

1997; 10/22/13; 7/9/20 (review / new entry)

Six Feet Under - In Retrospect 1969-'70. USA-New Jersey

This archival CD from New Jersey's Six Feet Under is an extraordinary document, and captures a rare time in American rock history - that of 1970, a year I've often referred to as "lost". The music featured here is something of a prototype for another "proto" (double proto!) sound that I've focused on prior. That is to say it's a forceful heavy psychedelic, just beginning to border the progressive rock movement sweeping Europe at the time. Like 99% of the underground US bands before them during this era, Six Feet Under's dreams of grandeur were met with disappointment and off to the workforce they went. But few left so much great music on tape for posterity.

Personally I consider the "Studio Recordings" as the album proper and the other 11 tracks as bonus. Highlights include 'Freedom', 'What Would You Do?', 'Inspiration in My Head', 'Baby I Want to Love You', and 'Running Around in the Sun'. All feature the strong vocals of Nanette DeLaune, with blistering guitar from Scott Julian, and the inspiring keyboards of band leader Jerry Dobb. These are all well written tracks, and feature the kind of hooks that get notice. Certainly the Jefferson Airplane were an influence, but this is considerably heavier than that connotation may imply. I think the band Six Feet Under resemble the most is the Florida based Fantasy, a band from the same era that made the list above.

"The Home Recordings", while not up to the same standard as the studio, are still quite enjoyable. I'm not a big fan of CCR, but their rendition of 'Suzy Q' (actually a 50's hit, but CCR made it that much more famous) is excellent, with some fine fuzz guitar soloing to close it off. 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' is a straight cover (minus the excess), and is interesting but does not transcend the original. As for the "Bonus Tracks", yea they're just that. Certainly worthy of inclusion but should not detract from the overall experience.

One interesting tidbit - their original drummer (deemed "not good enough" by their original label) went on to sit behind the kit for none other than Bon Jovi. Ha - take that!

In a nutshell - a super archival release, one not to be missed for fans of heavy psychedelic and the embryonic stages of progressive rock.

Ownership: CD: 1998 Arf! Arf!. Excellent package with full liner notes from Jerry Dobb, photos, memorabilia, etc...

5/16/19 (new entry)

Innervisions ~ USA ~ New Jersey

Beginnings End (1977)

---6/22/15

Innervisions were an eight piece horn rock band from New Jersey and perhaps the most surprising aspect of this release is the recording date. This kind of record was waaaaaaaaaaaay past its shelf life in 1977. It sounds more like 1970 era Lighthouse than anything coming around this late. But it's still mixed with that wonderful and aggressive Terry Kath-like raw guitar and a few complex horn charts. The pop is really a bit too saccharine to highly recommend to progressive and underground rock fans, though it is a pleasant listen if in the right frame of mind. And honestly being the sentimentalist I tend to be, I find myself attracted to music such as this. Overall a strange anachronistic album with a very cool private looking cover.

---10/11/22

In hearing this album again last night, I enjoyed a +1 listen due to my increasing enjoyment from that particular era of sentimental pop. But I still have to shake my head on just how out of time this album really is. No one was doing music like this in 1977, especially here in the States.

Ownership: 1977 Visions Ltd. (LP). Lyric insert. Great cover as noted above. The pressing, however, is atrocious. Makes the Soviet label Melodiya seem like Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab by comparison. All copies (apparently) have dimples, and mine has the added bonus of a stress lift on the last two tracks of side 2. Would have been nice had the seller pointed that out. Its impact is no worse than the rest of the album where occasional ticks and pops are the norm. This is an album that would benefit greatly from any kind of master tape quality reissue. Also worth noting is that that the labels and the back cover are reversed. For whatever reason, Discogs insists the back cover is right. But Side 2 is Side 1 if scoring at home.

No reissues as of 3/30/25.

6/22/15 (review); 11/23/18 (new entry); 10/11/22 (update)

Regressive Aid ~ USA ~ New Jersey

Effects on Exposed People (1983)

Awhile back I wrote about a Japanese band called Nishin and their one album Dai Dai, and I have to say New Jersey's Regressive Aid reminds me quite a bit of that. The early 1980's sound is very apparent here, from the use of digital technology to the fast punkish pace of the music. There's no mistaking the Discipline era King Crimson influence, though Regressive Aid appear to have drawn the same conclusion as Fripp rather than just obsequiously following the master. By the time of the all instrumental Effects on Exposed People (like the EP before is itself a very short album clocking in just under 30 minutes), the Crimson influence is more apparent and the production values are of a higher quality. Another group that reminds me of Regressive Aid, but showed up a couple of years later, is the Virginia-based Famous Actors From Out of Town.

Ownership: 1983 Rhesus (LP). With a sales flyer and a photograph of an old typewriter with a note from the band. Odd. Acquired in 2013.

No reissues exist as of 5/4/26.

4/2/11 (review); 2/25/21 (new entry)

Fireballet - Night on Bald Mountain + Two, Too. 1975-76 USA-New Jersey

Night on Bald Mountain: Though from New Jersey, Fireballet sound like most of the progressive rock bands coming from Midwest America during the mid 70s (as I've painstakingly documented before). Yes is the major influence here, as it was for countless bands across the fruited plain. In this way, Fireballet were to the USA what Druid were to England. It's 1975, and it's time to release the followup to Relayer, because there will be one right? Right?? The long classical interpretation will of course recall ELP, another band that used to get props (though not so much in recent times). King Crimson gets plenty of cameo's as well throughout.  I'm a sucker for groups from my country going all-in progressive, even if not a single one of them ever made much headway in the Billboard charts (other than Kansas). But based on the number of copies still out there for sale in the wilds, it does appear they sold quite a many copy anyway. Maybe not one of America's best, but certainly a fine straight-down-the-middle progressive rock effort. Can't go wrong here for fans of the style. As for the bonus tracks on the Inner Knot CD, the opening one is 'Robot Salesman' from 1977, and has a fully orchestrated pop sound. Had this been their decided direction on the new album, it's highly likely not to be well received - especially now, but even back then I think. The other track is their 11+ minute live cover version (from 1974) of King Crimson's 'Pictures of a City' (pre-Night on Bald Mountain album). It's a muffled recording, so hardly essential, but a nice curio piece (perfect as a bonus track). The Arcangelo CD extra bonus track is called 'Say Anything', which I know nothing about and obviously haven't heard.

Two, Too: Perhaps predictable in retrospect, Fireballet scrubbed all the edges off their first album for an even more accessible second effort. Yet, it's really as progressive as the debut, minus the overt displays of grandeur. Tighter... more professional. As stated about Night on Bald Mountain, Fireballet have the sound of Midwest America down pat (despite their Jersey roots) - one that combines progressive rock with FM radio sensibilities. Interestingly enough, Fireballet's "commercial take on Yes" approach sounds like early Starcastle here - so once again we have parallel groups gathering similar data inputs, and spitting out a similar conclusion. For me, perhaps because I was a child within the generation, this type of music grows in stature with me as the years go by. The ridiculous original cover no doubt shaved one full star from this album for many folks right out of the gate. The band was smart enough to apply more appropriate art for the CD. Give this one a fresh pair of ears - you may be surprised. There's only one bonus track on the Inner Knot release 'In My Craft and Sullen Art / Mars' which is a (short) interpretation of the Holst classic. It's a live recording, from the same 1974 concert as the 'Pictures of a City' interpretation as found on the debut CD reissue. The Arcangelo CD adds 'Tears', a track I'm not familiar with.

Personal Collection
LP (Night on Bald Mountain): 1975 Passport

CD (Night on Bald Mountain): 2014 Inner Knot
CD (Two, Too): 2014 Inner Knot

Both albums are single covers and are common records in the US, often still found in the few used record stores that exist. With the smallest of searching you should be able to net one for under $10 - and less than $5 with a little more hustle. So one would presume LP reissues will never be needed. But on CD - now that has proven to be a challenge. Until finally this year, as announced on the CDRWL, we finally have legit CDs to buy and own, after years of watching pirate editions fly by. It's even more curious when you realize that band member Jim Cuomo is still heavily involved with the music industry. We first heard about the Japanese reissues, and while I haven't seen these, they each feature one extra bonus track not found on the US issues. The CDs are stored in a digipak, and each are adorned with embossed covers, which is a nice addition. As you can see, the second album has been redesigned (3rd scan), tastefully extracted and repurposed from the Night... cover. And who can blame them given the ridiculous original cover (second photo)? I'm sure it seemed funny at the time (to someone?), but it hasn't aged well. For purists, the Japanese CD, as is their protocol for mini-LPs, reissued the CD with the original cover. Each CD includes the lyrics and recording detail, but no history or other archival media, which is kind of a bummer. It would have been nice for them to spin their tale of woe (perhaps with some added humor) for us all. The sound is very good to my ears anyway. Good CD reissues, but perhaps they could have done a bit more. Don't want to complain though - it's way better than nothing - and certainly a step up from what you would get from Wounded Bird for example.

1992; 9/24/14 (new entry)

Phase ~ USA ~ New Jersey

Midnight Madness (1979)

Phase is smoking fusion first, instrumental progressive rock second. A great mix of instrumental dexterity, with complex compositions and ferocious playing. Return to Forever meets Kenso. Or Iceberg meets Transit Express for a more obscure reference.

So let's get Ken's (Laser's Edge) quick summary of the background first: "Phase was keyboardist's Regan Ryzuk's band and they were based out of Montville, NJ. Two years later Regan released it under the Fusion Quartet "Comprovisations" title. It's a very good album that I think will floor a lot of people and it deserves to be more widely known."

Now let's get some impressions of the music. Midwest Mike says: "Instrumental progressive jazz rock of the highest caliber. From the very start this album explodes out and doesn't leave you with much room to catch your breath! Top notch musicianship with fiery solos of bass, piano, Moog and electric guitar. Odd and complicated time meters with killer trade-offs as well as incredible unison sections. This sometimes reminds me of Iceberg, a bit of Return to Forever and the Italian band Nova (at their peak). As mesmerizing at it is amazing! I believe once this gets known it will become a future rarity. Highly recommended to jazz rock, fusion and progressive rock fans."

The AC was brought into the action as well. He picked one up immediately and had this response: "Killer album! Really complex and edgy for a private fusion LP of this sort, almost getting avant-progish at times. I think the fact that the keys player uses a regular piano rather than a Rhodes also lends to this impression. Guitar gets quite ferocious at times, too. Love the ultra-technical music geek notes on the back of the sleeve! Wonder whatever happened to these guys? They really were top-notch players."

Phase's one album pretty much escaped everyone's radar until Midwest Mike discovered it a couple of years ago. His discovery lead directly to the CD reissue, as well as our entry into the CDRWL. The 1981 second press has a different cover, band name, and title (Fusion Quartet - Comprovisations). Ken reissued the CD with the preferable original cover, in exact detail similar to how the Japanese do it. 

Ownership: 

1979 Red Mark (LP). Acquired in 2012.

2013 Modulus (CD). Papersleeve. Booklet with full liner notes, including track by track, and recording details. Acquired in 2013.

2/6/12 (review); 11/27/13 (update / new entry); 4/2/26