"Everybody is down with some funk," says 58-year-old funk godfather George Clinton, as he puts the finishing touches on one of his two new funk-hip-hop hybrid albums that will feature Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Digital Underground and Del the Funky Homosapien. "And funk to me is anything that you do to survive. Whatever it takes to survive. That's funky."
Clinton's pitch remains pure and simple: to move the crowd. "You gotta learn to read your audience, that's what really matters. As your appreciation gets wider, you can appreciate more and more."
Illuminating the drab surroundings at Unique Studios in midtown Manhattan with his funky messianic garb, consisting of an imprinted alien t-shirt, bright white Nikes, black shorts, a red beret and his trademark multicolored headdress, Clinton slips in a tape of an unfinished track into the DAT machine. When the thumping bass and murky bounce of the cut come son, Clinton is transfixed. Then, gently tapping his foot, he turns around and beams with delight.
Listening to the accounts of Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars' latest effort is a lesson in Music 101. You'll hear the fusion of diabolical guitar distortion, over-the-top sound effects, soothing croons, danceable beats and booming bass lines. In songs like "Vibe" and "Roller Skates," Clinton dreams of a grandiose world-to-come featuring a soundtrack of nothing but funk. "No telling what they're going to do in this next millennium," he says. "If Michael Jordan flew, watch this next millennium."
From the dreamy to hilarious, "Billy Boy" is a sexually aggressive ode that gleefully rips into the recent hijinks of President Clinton, while the intense sounds of "Buggin'" (featuring Jamal formerly of Illegal) is downright bumping. Cooler than Jackie Chan and better than your mama's ribs, George Clinton is still George Clinton. Lurking out there in never-never land, daring you not to dance. "The funk gets better as it gets older," he says proudly.
— Cleon Alert