Cosmic Slop

Funkadelic

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 7, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1973
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Westbound Records Us
• ASIN: B000001TVJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,597 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Nappy Dugout

2. You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure

3. March to the Witch's Castle

4. Let's Make It Last

5. Cosmic Slop

6. No Compute

7. This Broken Heart

8. Trash a Go Go

9. Can't Stand the Strain

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tragedy of Funkadelic Proportions, August 22, 2002

By	Jason Robey "horakhti" (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Between 1970 and 1975 Funkadelic released seven albums on the Westbound record label. All of them are essential. The fifth album, 1973's "Cosmic Slop", is as strong, soulful and funky as any other from this seminal period.

That "Cosmic Slop" didn't end up a cosmic flop is a testament to George Clinton's unparalleled skill as a producer. In 1972, after the release of "America Eats Its Young", things were falling apart for Funkadelic. Ace lead guitarist Eddie Hazel was incarcerated for drug possession and assault, bassist Billy Nelson quit and rhythm guitarist Lucius Ross overdosed on LSD and speed, leaving him incapacitated. Funkadelic essentially lost three of its founding members right before recording for "Cosmic Slop" began.

Funkadelic, though technically a group, was essentially a George Clinton "thang." Determined to make "Cosmic Slop" Clinton reincarnated the band. Nelson and Ross, though founding members, proved dispensable. Hazel was missed (but will return on later albums.) Gary Shider, a guitar virtuoso in his own right, takes his lead, contributing incredible, soulful vocals as well. And keyboardist Bernie Worrell comes into his own. In fact, a cobbled together Funkadelic proved as solid and formidable as any previous incarnation.

"Cosmic Slop" is brimming with classic P-funk essentials. "Nappy Dugout", replete with whistles and duck calls, starts the album in typical Funkadelic style. "You Can't Miss..." sounds like a lost "Maggot Brain" single (a good thing.) "March to the Witch's Castle" is, in my opinion, the saddest, darkest, most honest song ever written about the Vietnam War. (A masterpiece maybe?) "Let's Make It Last" is transcendent and soulful. "Cosmic Slop" is a classic, 'nuff said. "No Compute" sounds like, well, country-funk. The raunchy lyrics about a one-night stand are hilarious. "This Broken Heart" is a heartfelt cover of an old doo-wop number with a hysterical interlude. "Trash A-Go-Go" is a funked-out guitar jam, possibly the funkiest moment on the album. "Can't Stand the Strain" is a joyful Motownish number... Joyful, that is, until the lyrics sink in.

Lyrically "Cosmic Slop" tends to be a sad, bluesy album. Half of the songs are traditional soul tunes about love and heartache. The others deal with war, prostitution and drugs. Even though at times the lyrics are funny, there's a tragic quality to them overall.

Musically it's a soulful, funky, yet brazenly psychedelic album. Funkadelic stands for psychedelic funk, which is what you get on "Cosmic Slop." This album has little in common with late-70s disco-influenced Parliament and Funkadelic albums, like P's "The Mothership Connection" or F's "One Nation Under a Groove." Rather, think Sly Stone and Jimi Hendrix on acid and you're close.

Hope this helped. Funk on.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An impressive, underrated masterpiece, August 24, 1999

By A Customer

This was the bridge between the early, acid-crazed version of Funkadelic and the later, more pop-friendly ("One Nation") incarnation. It may be more song-oriented than earlier albums, but it sure ain't a sellout-the shortest, hookiest songs are about a mother prostituting herself for her children (the title track) and a man pimping his girlfriend for drugs ("Trash-A-Go-Go"). And even though the sound may be cleaner and brighter, it still has plenty of bite-the guitars still snarl, the bass still thunders, the grooves are still brutal and danceable. Not as famous as their later works, but it may be their best.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CULT FAVORITE, February 24, 2000

By	Tony_Tone "Anthony Jamal Smith" (Washington, D.C., District of Columbia United States) - See all my reviews

This has to be one of the most underated Funkadelic albums never gained any real chart status when was released in '73.. but this is still one of the most interesting albums they have put out dealing with such issues drug addiction ( Trash - A- GO-GO) a brutual rock track.. the very eerie vibe of March to the Witch Castle a recount of Viet War.. to the 70's soul of You cant miss what you measure.. To the slice of life every day hustle of Comsic Slop.. this is a great album.. Have to put this on the list of their best albums.. PICK IT UP REAL FUNK FANS