Live, 1976-1993 - Parliament

This mammoth British anthology of live P-Funk contains virtually every notable track released by George Clinton and his Parliament/Funkadelic crew. There is some overlap with the earlier Greatest Hits 1972-1993 anthology (as well as a rare Japanese set) but the set contains many new tracks. Of most interest to fans will be a set of tracks recorded in 1972, with the original line-up of Funkadelic. The sound quality, as can be expected, varies from the murky 1972 tracks to the most recent 1993 tracks, which sound as clean and precise as modern technology allows. While the song selection may seem strange (especially the inclusion of tracks by obscure Clinton associates Belita Woods and Louie Kabbabie). It's also true that the newer tracks, despite their higher fidelity, aren't quite as groundbreaking and energetic as the older, rarer recordings. Still, the set as a whole is impressive, mixing well-known classics with obscure but key album tracks, and containing no truly subpar performances. It's probably too much for newcomers to attempt at one sitting (and the original P-Funk albums are far better for introductions) but longtime fans will find much of value here. ~ Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide