Released 40 years ago
R&B Skeletons in the Closet
George Clinton · 1986
43 min · 7 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of funk grooves and playful lyrics, merging classic R&B with Clinton's signature eccentricity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hey Good Lookin' Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Do Fries Go With That Shake!? — This track exemplifies Clinton's unique humor and lyrical playfulness, set against an infectious groove that invites listeners to dance.
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R&B Skeletons (In the Closet) — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of nostalgia and self-reflection, wrapped in a catchy melody that showcases Clinton's vocal charisma.
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Mix-Master Suite: a. Startin' From Scratch, B. Counter-Irritant, C.Nothin' Left to Burn — This ambitious suite highlights Clinton's experimental approach, blending multiple musical ideas into one dynamic piece that captures the essence of his artistic vision.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong funk compositions with playful lyrics and cohesive arrangements, reflecting Clinton's unique style.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lively track that sets a high-energy tone, followed by a playful song that incorporates humorous lyrics.
- The 'Mix-Master Suite' is structured as a medley, seamlessly transitioning between three distinct sections without losing momentum.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response elements, typical of Clinton's style, enhancing the funk grooves.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove exploration
- playful rhythmic experimentation moments
- suitable for upbeat gatherings
- engaging in-order listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- prefer immediate high-energy tracks
- seek short standalone songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked a return to prominence and redefined funk and R&B for the mid-80s.
- Career context
- In 1986, George Clinton was navigating the post-Parliament era, following the commercial successes of his earlier work. This album came after a hiatus from solo releases and marked a return to prominence, showcasing Clinton's ability to evolve while staying true to his funk roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Parliament· Funkadelic· Sly and the Family Stone
Tracklist
- 1 Hey Good Lookin' Start here 6:02
- 2 Do Fries Go With That Shake!? 6:32
- 3 Mix-Master Suite: a. Startin' From Scratch, B. Counter-Irritant, C.Nothin' Left to Burn 8:39
- 4 Electric Pygmies 6:31
- 5 Intense 6:30
- 6 Cool Joe 4:20
- 7 R&B Skeletons (In the Closet) 4:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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