P-Funk Discography Review Part 11: 1988-89

Bootsy Collins - “What’s Bootsy Doing?” (1988)
Bootsy’s comeback album after laying low, playing on other group’s records, is both exciting and disappointing. Bootsy’s playing, songwriting, and singing are top notch. Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell as most of this is buried in the production with drum machines and synth cranked way up. Some of the Rubber Band and Godmoma play on here and help fill up the sound a little. “Party On Plastic” is the highlight and has a cool music video. The rest is hit or miss but overall a fun, yet flawed album.
3.5/5

INCorporated Thang Band - “Lifestyles of the Roach & Famous” (1988)
A side project for P-Funk bassist/vocalist, Lige Curry and guitarist/vocalist, Andre Foxxe. Most of the songs are written by Clinton and various members of P-Funk. Lige is a great bass player with a good voice. This is similar to other P-Funk recordings of the time with overuse of keyboards and drum machines. The highlight being “Jack of All Trades” which features some great horns. “Body Jackin” is another good song mostly because of Lige’s bass playing. Mostly decent funk except for the atrocious pop-new wave song “I’ll Do Anything For You”. Besides that song, a fun record but far from classic.
3/5

George Clinton - “Cinderella Theory” (1989)
This is by far Clinton’s worst record but it has its moments. The over use of drum machines and synth is rampant here. Amp Fiddler and David Spradley are great keyboardists, no doubt. However, the songs sound thin and tiny without the full band and there is a lack of good songs to begin with. “Tweaking” is the best song with a decent groove and political lyrics. It also features raps from Chuck D & Flava Flav of Public Enemy and Clinton’s son, Trey Lewd. “Why Should I Dog U Out” is a decent pop song. “Serious Slammin” sounds like an ok attempt at trying sound like Prince (this was the first of three Clinton records on Prince’s Paisley Park label). The rest is kind of boring. There is a cover of Harry Belafaunte’s “Banana Boat Song” a year after it became popular again from the movie, Beetlejuice but it feels awkward and out of place. Overall, not a good album outside of 2 or 3 songs.
2/5

Various Artists- “George Clinton Presents... Our Gang Funky” (1989)
Compilation of a handful of acts Clinton was working on in the 80’s but never put out. Mostly substandard synth heavy pop-funk. There is even a pop-rock new Wave song called “I Want Your Car”. The stand out is a Gary Shider song with Clinton and Prince singing on the chorus. The rest are throw away pop tunes.
1.5/5

Next up is 1990 to 1992

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