Lost In Tyme Blog

The Politicians - Psycha-Soula-Funkadelic
(The Hot Wax Sessions) 1971-1972

This rare groove quintet, were obviously influenced by the Parliament. This album was cut in 1972 in the midst of the invictus/hotwax regime. If you like raw, guitar influenced funk this is an album you can not overlook !

Tracks :
1 Psycha Soula Funkadelic 3:50
2 The World We Live In 4:23
3 Church 3:17
4 Free Your Mind 2:52
5 Everything Good Is Bad 4:17
6 Song For You 4:36
7 Speak On It 5:42
8 Funky Toes 4:06
9 Politicians Theme 3:01
10 Close Your Big Mouth 3:11
11 Love Machine_Vocal 2:52
12 Love Machine_Instrumental 2:35

Reviews
1
Incredibly messed-up funk -- a 70s instrumental classic that's delighted our ears for years! The set's got a cosmic sound that mixes together conventional guitar-based funky with some weird electronic touches at times -- going for a fuzzed-out moogy quality that really deepens the groove -- and which goes even further on those tunes that push the basslines all the way into the red! The group's headed by McKinley Jackson, and features some ex-members of Parliament -- all coming together in a full, rich sound that almost has traces of soundtrack sophistication at times -- yet which manages to come across with the burning energy of a funky 45! The album includes the classics "Funky Toes" and "Psycha-Soula-Funkadelic" -- plus the group's legendary take on "Free Your Mind", a sample classic from years back!

Great stuff if you dig a fuzzy Westbound sort of funk groove

2
Fronted by McKinley Jackson this set could easily be fit into the current blaxploitation category with its early 70's wah wah style of guitar playing so reminiscent of the soundtracks of Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield of the day. Best example check out the superb guitar playing on the track entitled 'Church'.

The Politicians were the house band for Hotwax/Invictus and their style of playing is so evident of the big hits of the label by the likes of Chairmen of the Board/Freda Payne/Honeycone/Laura Lee etc. Not an album for dancing, mind you it does include the instrumental version of 'Love Machine' which back in 1971 was my top floor filler at Manchester's Jilly's nightclub in Gore Street, where nothing could topple it from being the most requested single for almost three months. The vocal version featuring Jackson is here too.

If you prefer your music a little gentler then check out the gorgeously arranged 'A Song For You' which could match Isaac Hayes' 'Ellie's Love Theme' any day of the week. A truly amazing arrangement and must surely rank as one of the best tunes on the set.

The 'Politicians Theme' takes you on an instrumental journey again and another tune that could have been another 'Across 110th Street' for example.
Classic blaxploitation at it's best. If you want a really class album that gives the listener the best of what was on offer at the time from these now famous labels
then this is a must !

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