GAMES DAMES AND GUITAR THANGS by EDDIE HAZEL

Named one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time by both Rolling Stone and Mojo, Brooklyn native Eddie Hazel was the original lead guitarist for George Clinton's wildly influential funk-rock ensemble Funkadelic. After shredding on acid-soaked classics like "Maggot Brain" "I Wanna Know If It's Good To You," and "Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On," Hazel left the band in 1974 amid a flurry of drug use and financial disputesAfter the split with Funkadelic, Hazel played on sessions for The Temptations, contributing to their Norman Whitfield-inspired hit "Standin' On (Shakey Ground)," which signaled the vocal group's move from the Motown Sound to psychedelic soul. He then went to prison on a drug-related charge. When he returned, he reunited with Clinton and The Funk Mob to begin work on this, his first and only solo album. Released in 1977, Games, Dames And Guitar Thangs is a full-tilt, jam-filled showcase for Hazel's far-out virtuosity. He cuts loose on fiery extended versions of The Mamas And The Papas' "California Dreamin'" and The Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)." Elsewhere he taps the Parliament/Funkadelic tradition with "Frantic Moment," "So Goes The Story," and "Physical Love" -- all co-written by Clinton and Bootsy Collins. Female PFunk backers the Brides Of Funkenstein handle the majority of vocal duties.