45's of the Week: George Clinton Productions, Part Two

 

This week's entry picks up more or less where I left off last week, though I'm not *exactly* in chronological order as I present these; merely arranged in a way that I feels tells the story of thse amazing records that in effect, show the birth of the P-Funk empire!

While J.J Barnes 1968 version of "Our Love (Is In The Pocket)" is the more revered version, the original take (1966) by Darrell Barnes is practically just as good! This is the b-side of Banks' debut single, and the song was co-written and co-produced by George Clinton.

Our Love Is In The Pocket

Pat Lewis' second solo release was written and produced exclusively by Clinton, and Pat's vocals reach a new level of sultry and sexiness on this recording. This track was also recorded by The Parliaments in 1968, and while it's a cool version, it does not COME CLOSE to Pat Lewis' magical performance of the song.

Look At What I Almost Missed

 

High-school girl group The Debonaires knocked their 1967 recording of "Headache In My heart" into another galaxy! This moody, stomping track is one of Clinton's finest, and the influence of psychedelia is certainly seeping into the potion by the time of this recording. The track was later re-worked by Funkadelic s "Some More" on their 1970 LP "Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow". My UK copy shown here was issued a few years later when the demand for obscure American soul records was starting to become massive and fanatical. Too bad they couldn't be bothered to find out who wrote the track! Headache In My Heart  

Clinton used the expressiveness in Pat Lewis' voice to great effect; not only could Pat completely OWN an uptempo number, but she on "I'll Wait" (the b-side of "Warning", a classic with no Clinton involvement) she shows off her abilities with a moody, almost bluesy number.

I'll Wait                                                                                There is some debate over this record by the all-white Detroit soul/ funk band The Flaming Ember; it has been reported that this two-sider marks the first appearance of (then teenaged) Eddie Hazel on lead guitar, and to my ears it *is* him. Eddie is one of the unsung geniuses of electric guitar, and the way the guitar playing is phrased so soulfully here, I firmly believe that Eddie is playing on the tracks, which truly sound like a dry run for Funkadelic!

There's more great sides coming next week!

Hey Mama (What You Got Good For Daddy)

 

Let's Have A Love-In (Cause everybody Needs Love)

Comments

[Dwight]

Wow, thanks! I love this series on George Clinton and look forward to more.