The various sagas that make up lifetimes of session musicians – and no, not the session players that the Kinks lampoon in its song – make for some sad footnotes to recorded music in the States. Of course the Funk Brothers come to mind. Having a documentary made about you probably should result in your latter day success. And members of that band have certainly benefited from the raised level of visibility that the group’s received in years since that film, but not everyone gets that shot. McKinley Jackson, Melvin Griffin, Roderick Chandler, Clay Robinson, and Zachary Slater – the folks responsible for trucking out the funk and soul Hof olland-Dozier-Holland – who comprise the Politicians haven’t had that break as of yet. And they probably won’t get it.

Led by Jackson, the Politicians were able to work on a spate of well received funk and soul hits coming out of Detroit during the golden period of those genres. But because of the necessity of having this collection of players localized around the studio, the Politicians didn’t really ever hit the road, limiting the group’s ability to gain any sort of broad renown. Luckily, though, centered in Detroit, the Politicians were able to impress any number of locals including George Clinton who was kicking around at the time.

It was only Jackson, though, that would be tapped to contribute to the Clinton helmed Maggot Brain. And on "Back in Our Minds," Jackson’s trombone adds some much needed punch to the proceedings.

That track wouldn’t be forgettable without Jackson, but his inclusion points to the talent that the man toted around with him. On the Politicians’ lone collection of tracks, entitled Psycha-Soula-Funkadelic, the group leader’s musical prowess would become as evident as on his other works, including those where he functioned in the role of composer.

Most of what Psycha-Soula-Funkadelic is comprised of sounds dated. The disc can’t be faulted for coming across as of a time and place. Nor can the overt Motown influence be taken to task – or even the ever obvious George Clinton check in the album’s title.

"Free Your Mind" wound up hitting the charts. And while it’s not the most rewarding offering here, that wah-wah and sample ready drum pattern make the song an undisputed goody – just not a classic.

Opening the disc, though, the title track displays some dated attempts at incorporating psychedelia into a soul setting. The Temptations may have been better known for stabs at the genre incorporating and where the Politicians fail, it’s still more tripped out sounding than any of their peers would be able to muster.

If one was privy to watching or hearing this band in its hey-day the experience would most likely come off as something of revelation. And while the Politicians still occupy an important space in the culture, the spate of similarly minded funk compilations serve up more variety and even more consistency. It’s worth taking a listen, but probably not hunting down the disc – well maybe if you and your lady wanna have a funky night in.