Parliament’s “Osmium”: A Funk Detour

In 1968, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland, and Lamont Dozier, the legendary Motown songwriting team responsible for the string of hits that were recorded by the Supremes and the Four Tops, left the label due to unpaid royalties.  Their exit would lead to the formation of Invictus Records, which would secure distribution from Capitol Records.

Invictus could easily be credited for launching what would later be considered “Progressive Soul.” Freda Payne, Chairmen of the Board, and the Honey Cone would give the label some of its biggest hits. In the middle of the label’s heyday, Osmium by Parliament would be released in September 1970. Osmium easily stands as the most eclectic release by the Funk Mob. While it would be the band’s only release for the label, they would also go on to provide the musical backing to numerous releases running up until 1973.

OSMIUM (INVICTUS ST-7302-1970)

Parliament’s debut album release would appear approximately 8 months after the self-titled first album by Funkadelic. The differences between the albums couldn’t be more stark.

While Funkadelic’s first album offering could be considered a Blues album with Funk leanings, Osmium represents an assorted mix of psychedelic Soul, country, gospel, and various other genres. One of the standout tracks on the album is the original version of “I Call My Baby Pussycat” (later redone under the abbreviated title “Pussy,” featured on Funkadelic’s fourth album America Eats Its Young).

The Osmium version of the track would be released as a single under the title “A Parliament Thang.” Up until 1972, three tracks would be released as singles. Tracks that were not featured on the Osmium album.

“RED HOT MAMA/LITTLE OLE COUNTRY BOY”-INVICTUS 9091 (1971)

A more raw, stripped-down version of the track that would reappear on Funkadelic’s Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On (Westbound 1974), “Red Hot Mama features George Clinton as the sole lead vocal. A slightly longer version of the track appears on the 1992 compilation First Thangs (HDH/Invictus).

“BREAKDOWN/LITTLE OLE COUNTRY BOY”-INVICTUS 9095 (1971)

Detroit Soul legend Clyde Wilson (aka Steve Mancha) delivers one-two punch type vocals with background singing provided by all five Parliaments. As with “Red Hot Mama,” a slightly longer version also appears on First Thangs.

“COME IN OUT OF THE RAIN/LITTLE OLE COUNTRY BOY”-INVICTUS 9123 (1972)

Clyde Wilson once again delivers tough-as-nails vocals to the last Parliament single released by Invictus. The song’s infectious chorus would be resurrected in 1976 on the track “Gamin’ On Ya” featured on the album The Clones Of Dr. Funkenstein.

SELF PORTRAIT-RUTH COPELAND (INVICTUS ST-7303-1970)

UK vocalist Ruth Copeland emerged at the beginning of the 1970s with a debut album featuring musical backing by Funkadelic. The result could be described as progressive Soul’s version of the Janis Joplin/Big Brother/Holding Co. concept. The album also features a fascinating rendition of “The Silent Boatman,” which was also covered by Parliament on the Osmium album.

I AM WHAT I AM-RUTH COPELAND (INVICTUS SMAS-9802-1971)

Picking up where Self Portrait left off, I Am What I Am slides more into the Funk territory that would define the sound of Funkadelic at that time. I Am What I Am features two covers of classic Rolling Stones tracks, “Gimme Shelter” and “Play With Fire.”

But the album’s most impressive moment is the slow grinding Funk track “Don’t You Wish You Had (What You Had When You Had It)”. The instrumental backing would be resurrected in numerous ways on future efforts by Funkadelic.

SKIN I’M IN-CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD (INVICTUS KZ-32526-1973)

Chairmen Of The Board scored numerous R&B and Pop hits such as “Give Me Just A Little More Time” and “Pay To The Piper.” Chairmen Of The Board delivered their last album, Skin I’m In, for Invictus in 1973. Funkadelic would give a full album’s worth of support for this release. The single “Finders Keepers” would achieve top ten status on the Billboard Soul singles charts (their last top ten hit). Chairmen Of The Board would promote the album on Soul Train in June of 1973, and their band would feature two members of Funkadelic (Bernie Worrell and Billy Bass Nelson).

All of the Invictus releases featuring Parliament and Funkadelic have been reissued on vinyl and CD extensively. Osmium, an album that was very difficult to find within the decade it was released, has been reissued countless times, and as recently as 2024. P-Funk’s period with Invictus has served as an inspiration for artists as diverse as De La Soul and Kid Rock.

-Tim Kinley

Photo: Press ad for Osmium  (public domain)