The Nation Funktasia
"In Search of the Last Trump of Funk"
I happened upon this album while doing what my mom likes to refer to as, “doot do doohing” or dilly dallying to y’all. It was hidden in the CD shelves at Academy Records just waiting for my arrival. At least, that’s how I’d like to think this is how it went. I was drawn to both the cover and the art inside the booklet, created by Larry Anderson who I could find very little info on beyond a Linkedin and Facebook page. It was very reminiscent of Dee-Lite’s album artwork on Infinity Within. FUNK what it sounded like! I needed this CD just off this principle alone.
After I left Academy I promptly popped it into my portable cd player and was instantly transported into the funky galaxy of The Nation that is Funktasia. The moment I pressed play it sounded so familiar yet, I knew I never heard this album before. I began to research. . .
The Nation Funktasia is a Bay Area foursome consisting of singer/rapper Bambi, lead singer/songwriter Ink Penn, DJ/rapper/songwriter/programmer/producer Coool-Aid, and singer/rapper E=Theory. They released their debut and only album “In Search of Last Trump of Funk” in 1991 on EastWest Records. In the liner notes I saw them giving thanks to Merlin Bobb, who was not only Vice President and A&R at Atlantic records and Elecktra Music group, but was also the co-founder of EastWest Record America Label. The band’s debut is heavily influenced by Parliament Funkadelic. You can hear echoes of Swing Down Sweet Chariot on Track #3 “Move Me.”
Member E=Theory already had some practice in the music game from being a part of the funk band U-Neak, who put out two singles: “Pink Heat” and “Nothin’ To It But To Do It.” In addition, E=Theory sang background vocals on “Take My Heart” from Samuelle's album Living in Black Paradise. Bambi and Coool Aid co-produced and arranged the track. The first single from the album “Anti Funky World” peaked at #46 on the Billboard’s R&B Singles chart and “Move Me”, a favorite on the album, peaked at #88. They alternatively went by One Nation on the Anti Funk World single, once again a homage to George Clinton.
All this talk about funk brings this recent documentary from PBS to the front of mind: A History of Funk Music and Black Liberation of the 1970s. The doc discusses how heavily hip-hop and R&B was influenced by funk music, and that influence is also present on this album. The Nation Funktasia disappeared into the abyss shortly after their debut. You can find some of their members either singing background or offering their pen and production to Foster and McElroy, Regina Belle, To Be Continued and other artists in the 90’s. It’s a shame, although the sound was reminiscent of funk’s past it also carries the influence of Prince with the high shrills in tracks like “Political Feet” and “Planet Earth Thang”calling back to Shock G of Digital Underground’s “Humpty Hump”. It’s hard not to compare to what’s already known especially when it relates to New Jack Swing and Funk, because this album is all that and then some. I would have loved to hear what their follow up would’ve sounded like.
Below are scans from the CD booklet:
What ever happened to E-40’s Book of Slang? This reminds me of that.
Not only is there a Funkshunary full of their own lexicon, but A Funk Tale to set the scene for the theme of the album. Artists aren’t world building anymore!
Standout Tracks: #4 Political Feet which, according to the Funkshunary means: Anxious to go somewhere to do something: feet does that contrary to what the pre meditated mind has planned. “Don’t try to apprehend the booty!” (I’m going to start yelling this to men on the dancefloor.)
#6 Fuzzy Sunshine a funky electronic joint. Interesting that this isn’t defined in the Funkshunary.
#8 I Got Soul
#9 On A Mission The bassline reminds me of Rhythmn Nation. Funkadelic is all throughout this.
#10 Peace, Love and Happiness Bring back interludes, talking over tracks , world building and positive messaging like they did on this record.
Although slim information can be found on The Nation Funktasia, their album and music is still floating around whether via CD, Vinyl or on YouTube. With comments from long time fans, schoolmates, and new fans like myself flooding videos, the music from the past can become present again if you look in the right place. It’ll find you without even trying.
My special instruction for you is to do a blind buy and then listen to the album and report back to me.
Peace,
Ella H.
Wow love this!