Uncle Jam Wants You
Encyclopedia
Uncle Jam Wants You is the eleventh studio album by American funk band Funkadelic
. It was originally released by Warner Bros. Records
on September 21, 1979, and was later reissued on CD by Charly Groove Records and Priority Records
. It was produced by George Clinton
under the alias Dr. Funkenstein
. It is the first Funkadelic album since America Eats Its Young
in 1972 not to sport a cover illustrated by Funkadelic artist Pedro Bell
, though Bell did contribute some interior artwork.
wants you!" US Army recruitment posters) is a more militant sequel to the group's previous album, One Nation Under a Groove
. Whereas that album described an ideal country ruled by Funk, "Uncle Jam" actually attempts to provoke the conversion into Funkadelia. Its purpose is also (as the cover claims) to "rescue dance music
from the blahs."
The cover art depicts George Clinton
in a Huey Newton-Black Panthers pose, reflecting the more martial lyrical themes of the album. The album features the band's last big hit single "(Not Just) Knee Deep
", an edited version of which went to number one on the Billboard Black singles charts. This album had a very profound influence on the West Coast hip hop scene especially the legendary DJ organization known as Uncle Jamm's Army
.
Additional Musicians:
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
. It was originally released by Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
on September 21, 1979, and was later reissued on CD by Charly Groove Records and Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
. It was produced by George Clinton
George Clinton (funk musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
under the alias Dr. Funkenstein
Dr. Funkenstein
"Dr. Funkenstein" is a song by the funk band Parliament. It was the second single released from their 1976 album, The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein, and reached number 46 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. It features newcomer Renny Jones on bass, who also played on two other songs on the album...
. It is the first Funkadelic album since America Eats Its Young
America Eats Its Young
America Eats Its Young is the fourth album by Funkadelic, released in 1972. This was the first album to include the whole of the House Guests, including Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins, Chicken Gunnels, Rob McCollough and Kash Waddy...
in 1972 not to sport a cover illustrated by Funkadelic artist Pedro Bell
Pedro Bell
Pedro Bell is an American artist and illustrator. He is best known for his elaborate cover designs and other artwork for numerous Funkadelic and George Clinton solo albums....
, though Bell did contribute some interior artwork.
Significance
In some ways, Uncle Jam Wants You (a reference to the "Uncle SamUncle Sam
Uncle Sam is a common national personification of the American government originally used during the War of 1812. He is depicted as a stern elderly man with white hair and a goatee beard...
wants you!" US Army recruitment posters) is a more militant sequel to the group's previous album, One Nation Under a Groove
One Nation Under a Groove
In Europe, the Bonus-EP was replaced by a bonus 12" 45rpm mini-album containing the 3 EP tracks on one side and an extended version of "One Nation Under a Groove" on the other.-Personnel:Funkadelic Main Invasion Force :...
. Whereas that album described an ideal country ruled by Funk, "Uncle Jam" actually attempts to provoke the conversion into Funkadelia. Its purpose is also (as the cover claims) to "rescue dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
from the blahs."
The cover art depicts George Clinton
George Clinton (funk musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
in a Huey Newton-Black Panthers pose, reflecting the more martial lyrical themes of the album. The album features the band's last big hit single "(Not Just) Knee Deep
(Not Just) Knee Deep
" Knee Deep" is a funk song running 15 minutes, 21 seconds on side 1 of Funkadelic's 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You.-Song information:...
", an edited version of which went to number one on the Billboard Black singles charts. This album had a very profound influence on the West Coast hip hop scene especially the legendary DJ organization known as Uncle Jamm's Army
Uncle Jamm's Army
Uncle Jamm's Army is a former American hip hop crew based in Los Angeles, California in the 1980s. Their singles "What's Your Sign", "Dial-a-Freak", and "Yes, Yes, Yes" were influential to the electro, old school hip hop, and early-West Coast hip hop genres....
.
Reception
- Allmusic.com "Uncle Jam Wants You takes not merely a more daring musical approach but a more forthright political stance".
- Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
(10/3/02, p. 106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "The home of 'Freak Of The Week' (which launched a thousand g-funk songs)."
Track listing
- "Freak of the Week" (G. ClintonGeorge Clinton (funk musician)George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
, P. Bishop, D. McKnight) - "(Not Just) Knee Deep(Not Just) Knee Deep" Knee Deep" is a funk song running 15 minutes, 21 seconds on side 1 of Funkadelic's 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You.-Song information:...
" (G. Clinton, Jr.) - "Uncle Jam" (G. Clinton, G. ShiderGarry ShiderGarry Marshall Shider was an American musician and guitarist. He was musical director of the P-Funk All-Stars for much of their history. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.-Early life:Shider was born in Plainfield, New...
, B. WorrellBernie WorrellGeorge Bernard "Bernie" Worrell, Jr. is an American keyboardist and composer best known as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic and for his work with Talking Heads. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic...
, W. CollinsBootsy CollinsWilliam Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
) - "Field Maneuvers" (D. Clinton, D. Clinton)
- "Holly Wants to Go to California" (G. Clinton, B. Worrell)
- "Foot Soldiers (Star Spangled Funky)" (G. Clinton., J. Vitti)
Personnel
Funkadelic Rescue Dance Band (as given in the liner notes):- Axe Force:
- Fret Commanders Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" HamptonMichael HamptonMichael Hampton is a funk/rock guitarist. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic....
, Gary "DooWop" ShiderGarry ShiderGarry Marshall Shider was an American musician and guitarist. He was musical director of the P-Funk All-Stars for much of their history. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.-Early life:Shider was born in Plainfield, New...
, Eddie "Maggot Brain" HazelEddie HazelEdward Earl "Eddie" Hazel was a guitarist in early funk music in the United States who played lead guitar with Parliament-Funkadelic...
- Fret Commanders Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton
- Keyboard Battlecruisers:
- Bernie (U.S.S. Woo!) WorrellBernie WorrellGeorge Bernard "Bernie" Worrell, Jr. is an American keyboardist and composer best known as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic and for his work with Talking Heads. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic...
, J.S. Theracon
- Bernie (U.S.S. Woo!) Worrell
- Uncle Jam's Drum and Wiggle Corps:
- Tyrone "Speedfeet" Lampkin, Larry Fratangelo
- Bass Anti-Flam Units:
- Rodney "Skeet" Curtis, Cordell "Boogie" MossonBoogie MossonCordell "Boogie" Mosson was born October 16, 1952. A good friend of Garry Shider, the two left Plainfield, New Jersey in their teens to go to Canada. They joined a band called United Soul, which came to the attention of George Clinton, who had known Shider as a youth in Plainfield...
- Rodney "Skeet" Curtis, Cordell "Boogie" Mosson
- Vocal Assault & Funkatition Team:
- Uncle Jam ClintonGeorge Clinton (funk musician)George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
, Gary "DooWop" Shider, Larry "Sir Nose" Heckstall, Sheila Horn, Ron "Prophet" Ford, Jeanette McGruderJeanette McGruderJeanette McGruder, born , is a singer.As a child, McGruder discovered a natural ability to sing. Taught by her stepmother, she joined a female trio called "New Dawn" which would perform at nightclubs, and one black panther rally. During her schooling, McGruder played violin with Earl Klugh in a...
, Dawn SilvaDawn SilvaDawn Silva is an American funk vocalist.Silva was born in Sacramento, California. She started her career as a background vocalist for Sly and The Family Stone. She joined P-Funk in 1977. She was the only original Brides of Funkenstein member to continue through Brides' career. In 1978, with Lynn...
, Michael "Clip" PayneMichael "Clip" PayneMichael "Clip" Payne is an American musician. He has been a member of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective since 1977. First credited on Parliament's 1979 release "Gloryhallastoopid" with "Choir Chours", he has appeared on over 20 Parliament-Funkadelic collective recordings primarily as a vocalist...
, Greg Thomas, Ray "Stingray" Davis
- Uncle Jam Clinton
Additional Musicians:
- Guitars:
- William CollinsBootsy CollinsWilliam Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
, Dewayne McKnight, Glen GoinsGlen GoinsGlen Lamont Goins was a singer and guitarist for Parliament Funkadelic in the mid-1970s. Goins is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic. His first recordings were as part of the group "The Bags"...
- William Collins
- Bass:
- Billy Bass NelsonBilly Bass NelsonWilliam "Billy Bass" Nelson is a U.S. musician, who was the original bassist for Funkadelic. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic....
, William Collins, Jeff Bunn
- Billy Bass Nelson
- Keyboards:
- Junie Morrison, Gary Hudgins, Gerome Rogers
- Drums:
- Tiki FulwoodTiki FulwoodRamon "Tiki" Fulwood was a drummer for the funk bands Parliament and Funkadelic...
, William Collins, Dennis ChambersDennis ChambersDennis Chambers is an American drummer who has recorded and performed with John Scofield, George Duke, Brecker Brothers, Santana, Parliament/Funkadelic, John McLaughlin, Niacin, Mike Stern, Greg Howe, and many others. Despite a lack of formal training, Chambers has become well known among...
- Tiki Fulwood
- Background Vocals:
- Linda Brown, Jessica CleavesJessica CleavesJessica Cleaves was lead singer for Friends of Distinction in the 1960s. Founded by Harry Elston and Floyd Butler, the Friends of Distinction also comprised Barbara Jean Love .Cleaves also performed and recorded with Earth, Wind & Fire, and for a brief time performed with...
, Mallia FranklinMallia FranklinMallia Franklin was a vocalist with P-Funk and was also known as the Queen of Funk. She introduced friends George Clinton and Bootsy Collins in 1971...
, Philippe WynnePhilippe WynnePhilippé Wynne , born Phillip Walker, was an American R&B singer. Best known for his role as the lead singer of The Spinners , Wynne scored notable hits such as "How Could I Let You Get Away", "The Rubberband Man",and "One of a Kind ",...
, Lige Curry, James Wesley, Greg BoyerGreg BoyerGreg Boyer is an American trombonist known for performing with many successful R&B and funk bands.Born in Washington, DC, Boyer grew up in Bryans Road, Maryland. An avid music lover at an early age, his first steps into the world of playing music were on alto saxophone at the age of 10...
, Gerome Rogers
- Linda Brown, Jessica Cleaves
External links
- Uncle Jam Wants You at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
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