Track Listing

1. RED HOT MAMA
2. ALICE IN MY FANTASIES
3. I’LL STAY
4. SEXY WAYS
5. STANDING ON THE VERGEOF GETTING IT ON
6. JIMMY’S GOT A LITTLE BIT OF BITCH IN HIM
7. GOOD THOUGHTS, BAD THOUGHTS
8. VITAL JUICES
9. STANDING ON THE VERGE (45 Version)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60466 in Music
• Released on: 2005-05-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

CD Description
Funkadelic's 1974 release STANDING ON THE VERGE OF GETTING IT ON proved to be a continuation of the more consolidated direction laid down on its predecessor, COSMIC SLOP. But STANDING is the better and stronger album, and easily Funkadelic's most consistent work since the classic MAGGOT BRAIN. Eventhough the band's members were, at the time, doing double duty in the more commercially oriented Parliament, Funkadelicmaintained its complete allegiance here to wildly experimental, rock-influenced music.
The album begins with a lighthearted poem read by two band members, their voices sped up to sound like The Chipmunks. This leads directly into the vicious funk-rock of "Red Hot Mama" and the absolutely raging rocker, "Alice In My Fantasies". The mood calms down brieflyfor the soulful "I'll Stay" and the playful pop of "Sexy Ways". There are jazzy moments ("Jimmy's Got A Little Bit Of Bitch In Him"), and meditative instrumentals ("Good Thoughts,Bad Thoughts"), but the topper is the title track, a manically exuberant jam that still ranks among P-funk's greatest moments.

Customer Reviews

One of the best
"Standing on the Verge of Getting it on", is a very apt title. In 1974, when this album was released, the group were trimming down their style from the earlier sprawling rock/psychedelic sound. It's no surprise that this year also saw the re-emergence of Parliament who had a much tighter sound. Ironically the album also sees the welcome return of Eddie Hazel the man who came up with Maggot Brain. The albums sound then, while funky as hell, lies somewhere between the drawn out haze of the past and the more polished future.

"Red Hot Mama" is a reworking of a Parliament number to be found on the Invictus sessions, a funky romp to kick of the album. The thing about any Funkadelic album though, is that you really have to like the whole concept. There are large parts of the album that's just spoken word, occasionally with music beneath. RH Mama has a minute and a half opening before music. Personally I love it and the whole P-Funk mythology but it doesn't appeal to everyone!
"I'll Stay" is one of the most soulful songs the band ever did, not surprising given E. Hazel's return. "Sexy Ways" is like a return to earlier albums in its opening, but is much cleaner and bares the mark of the new style. "Standing on the Verge..." is very similar in that respect - a long vocal opening, rocky but very clean and sharp, making it the best track on the album, an absolute stormer. The last 2 songs (one a snappy song, the other a drawn out vocal with guitar backing) are reminiscent of past albums too.

So, a transitional album full of funky genius but on the verge of change.

Customer review
In my opinion one of their better albums. There's a warmer, bassier groove to this one, and the whole production is really tight. It's got the same rock guitar feel throughout as their earlier albums, but to someone who is into more conventional black music of the early 70s, this production suits my taste better as the earlier stuff was often too cold, stark and rocky.