Too Hot to Stop
Artist: The Bar-Kays

The Bar-Kays spent much of 1976 as the opening attraction supporting the Parliament-Funkadelic traveling circus, and the P-Funk influence seeps into every pore of Too Hot to Stop. While lacking the cosmic reach and freak-show genius of George Clinton, this is nevertheless the Bar-Kays' last stab at greatness, delivering hard-driving funk with... Read More

Forever Gold
Artist: The Isley Brothers
Honey
Artist: The Ohio Players
Community Score: 8.88

Honey may have had the most controversial LP cover of 1975. Its erotic cover, which depicted a nude model covered in honey, was protested by feminists when it was alleged that the model had become stuck to the floor during the photo shoot. Some retailers, in fact, refused to carry it. All the controversy certainly didn't hurt the album... Read More

The Best of Mandrill
Artist: Mandrill

Rounding up the greatest grooves from the band's first five albums, right up until it left for United Artists in 1975, The Best of Mandrill is a top compilation for one of the most freewheeling bands of the early '70s. Unsurprisingly for a funk group, Mandrill excelled at recording catchy, well-played material with deep grooves, though unlike... Read More

Go for Your Guns
Artist: The Isley Brothers
Harvest for the World
Artist: The Isley Brothers
Community Score: 2.00
The Heat Is On
Artist: The Isley Brothers
The Best of Isaac Hayes
Artist: Isaac Hayes

A deep voice and an impeccable sense of the groove add up to some of the best R&B music of the early '70s. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide Read More

One Nation Under a Groove
Artist: Funkadelic
Community Score: 8.70

One Nation Under a Groove was not only Funkadelic's greatest moment, it was their most popular album, bringing them an unprecedented commercial breakthrough by going platinum and spawning a number one R&B smash in the title track. It was a landmark LP for the so-called "black rock" movement, best-typified in the statement of purpose "Who Says a... Read More

Hardcore Jollies
Artist: Funkadelic
Community Score: 3.50

Funkadelic's major-label jump brought its version of life more into line with Parliament, though the crucial difference between the two -- Funkadelic's guitars vs. Parliament's horns -- remains intact. Eddie Hazel is missed, as always, but Gary Shider and Mike Hampton do fine work. Whoever peels off the concluding solo at the end of "Comin'... Read More

Spirit
Artist: Earth, Wind & Fire
Community Score: 9.65

With That's the Way of the World having enjoyed multi-platinum success, Earth, Wind & Fire had a lot to live up to when the time came for another studio project. And the soul powerhouse didn't let anyone down (either commercially or creatively) on the outstanding Spirit, which boasted hits ranging from the optimistic "On Your Face" and the... Read More

Contradiction
Artist: The Ohio Players
Community Score: 7.50

Upon the release of this album, the Ohio Players were at the pinnacle of their long music careers, which date back to the late '50s. This album produced the number one Billboard R&B single "Who'd She Coo." The rhythm arrangement and jazzy horn arrangement are complemented by a titillating guitar, colorful vocals, and a suggestive lyric. While... Read More