The album kicks off with the monster rock/funk track "Comin' Round the Mountain," which was written by George Clinton and guitar wizard Eddie Hazel (under his commonly used pseudonym Grace Cook). Hazel delivers a scorching solo near the end of the track, and legendary drummer Buddy Miles holds the groove down with some killer beats. "Comin' Round The Mountain" was the perfect track to set off Hardcore Jollies proper.
Next track up is "Smokey." Penned by Clinton and Garry Shider, "Smokey" is flat-out brilliant. The track is difficult to categorize. I would describe it as extraterrestrial gospel/funk. Glenn Goins's incredible, gospel-drenched vocals will send shivers down your spine. Bernie Worrell's sludgy synth bass creeps beneath the groove like bubbling swamp ooze, and Shider and Goins trade some nasty rhythm guitar licks. The spooky background harmonies are provided by P-Funk vocalists Mudbone, Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, Garry Shider, Grady Thomas and Ray "Stingray" Davis. "Smokey" is one of those tracks that just floors you upon first listen and addicts you immediately.
"If You Got Funk, You Got Style" has kind of a Parliament-like flow going on. It's not surprising that the song was written by Clinton, Worrell and Bootsy, the writing team behind some of Parliament's biggest hits. However, the track sounds a bit more freaky than most Parliament cuts. The song delivers a truckload of funk. Clinton brings his signature freaky-pimp ghoul singing voice, which fits quite nicely on this track. And Ray Davis's bass vocals add some extra flavor to the song. The "go ahead" chant is an irresistible hook, and Bootsy lays down some mean space bass.
The title track "Hardcore Jollies" is a blistering rock/soul workout that showcases Michael Hampton's considerable chops as a guitar slinger. Here, Hampton shows why he became the lead guitarist for P-Funk following Hazel's exit from the band.
"Soul Mate" is a freaky kind of love song with Clinton handling the lead vocals. Not one of my favorite Funkadelic songs, but it's a solid ballad.
A live version of the band's 1973 classic "Cosmic Slop" features some more great axe work from Hampton as well as some tasty licks from Shider and Goins. Recorded live in Hangar E at Stewart Airfield in Newburgh, New York during rehearsals for the P-Funk Earth Tour, this version is a bit faster than the original but still maintains its power to move the listener.
"You Scared The Lovin' Outta Me" is a great ballad that contains another fantastic vocal performance from Goins. And Mudbone provides some cool background vocals. Another underrated gem.
The album ends with "Adolescent Funk." The song has a real chill, laid-back vibe. There are no lyrics, just some scattered background vocals. Worrell shines on this track, displaying his prodigious keyboard skills. It's a nice mellow way to close out the album.
Another great thing about this album is Pedro Bell's amazing cover art. It's one of Bell's best works and my favorite Funkadelic album cover. So there's a lot to love about Hardcore Jollies.
Full Hardcore Jollies album
1 comment:
Comin' Round The Mountain to me is Eddie Hazel at his best. I was 13 years old when I purchase this LP and at the Earth Tour when the band played Funkadelic first then Parliament hit the stage after Funkadelic jammed. Clinton had the baddest guitar players in 1976. Eddie Hazel solo on this track blow our minds. My best Funkadelic LP. All the original members on this LP. Clinton at his best.
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