The Brides of Funkenstein — Funk Or Walk
The Brides of Funkenstein were a spin-off project from George Clinton’s Parliament universe. The female-fronted band dabbbled in funk, soul, and disco. They existed between 1978 and 1981- releasing two studio albums and a post-breakup live album. Funk Or Walk is the project's debut album- taking in seven shots of funking, grooving, and soulful fare, with that very distinctive Clinton flavor. Here from Ace Records is a CD reissue of the album.
The CD is presented in a slim-line jewel case- this recreates the original album's cartoon artwork of two stepping ‘n’ jiving female robots. The release comes with a glossy twelve-page booklet taking in a six-page write-up about the project by Ian Shirey. As well as a good selection of press clippings, poster art, live show pics, etc.
Funk Or Walk was first released in September of 1978 on Atlantic- with Clinton producing all but the album's first single. The line-up for this album was lead vocals- Dawn Silva & Lynn Mabry. Bootsy Collins & Rodney Curtis- bass. Phelps Collins, Michael Hampton, and Garry Shider- guitars. Frank Waddy, Bootsy Collins, Gary Cooper, Tyrone Lampkin, & Jerome Brailey- drums. Larry Fratangelo- percussion. Wayman Reed, George Minger, and Danny Turner- horns. Bernie Worrell & Joel Johnson- keyboards. Detroit Symphony- strings. So more than a few players from Parliament/ Clinton projects.
The seven tracks are fairly varied, often quirky, and largely groove bound. Things open up with the album’s first single “Disco to Go” which features a tightly spiralling grooving, swinging horn tones, strutting guitars and female vocals- which go from chanted, sassily clipped, and sing-song nursery rhyme like.
As we move through the album we go from flapper Broadway musical meets horn jaunting swing of “Nappy”. Onto the mellow slow funk/ soul swoon ‘n’ glide of “Just Like You” with its steady plodding pace, choppy synth/ string touches, soulful wailing, layered, to sensual rising female vocals. With the album finishing off with hand-clapping percussion, jiving horn work, and sassy-to-swooning groove of “Amorous”.
I was only vaguely aware of The Brides of Funkenstein project name before this reissue. And I must say Funk Or Walk is a decent/ fairly varied debut album- which will appeal to fans of Mr Clinton, or anyone who enjoys sassy/ grooving 70’s music with female vocals.