Beyond Funkadelic: Ruth Copeland Posted by Junior

Ruth Copeland: Suburban Family Lament and Don't You Wish You Had (What You Had When You Had It) From: I Am What I Am [Invictus, 1971] Right I know I promised more in depth stuff this week but I have got the ultimate mother of all head colds and have to be quick on the keyboard before it entirely disappears beneath a layer of phlegm. With that beautiful thought in mind I'll let the quality of the music speak for itself as I give you Ruth Copeland's Sophomore album I Am What I Am. While Copeland's fame was pretty short lived, for a while she seemed to hold the future of P-Funk in her hands. After forming a friendship with George Clinton, Copeland penned a number of tracks for Parliament's debut LP Osmium. The Funkadelic/Parliament boys repaid the favour by playing on her debut release cunningly titled Self Portrait. The link between Copeland and Funkadelic continued with Ruth's second album and member's of the band even ended up touring with her when she supported Sly Stone. However, insanity took over on tour when Copeland started calling the group Funkadelic on flyers for shows. This was too much insanity for Sly and Copeland's relationship with the Funkadelic collective ended soon after. Despite the rockier style of music on offer the link between Copeland and Funkadelic is extremely clear in Suburban Family Lament with the funky underbelly twisted by Copeland's unique, abrasive, vocal style and some searing drum work by Tiki Fulwood. This track always had a hint of Betty Davis for me too with it's sweet mixture of bitterness and righteous anger offset by the humour on offer. Don't You Wish You Had (What You Had When You Had It) again displays Copeland's independence in full effect over some stunning, bluesy, Eddie Hazel guitar work and a funky pot of indignation. Great great stuff.