By Way of the Drum

By Way of the Drum is the thirteenth studio album by the American funk rock band Funkadelic. It was recorded between 1983 and 1985 (with the title track being released as a single [MCA 23953] for MCA Records in 1989), but shelved until its release in 2007 on Hip-O Select. The original sessions were produced by George Clinton, while Harry Weinger and Alan Leeds serve as compilation producers.

By Way of the Drum
Studio album by Funkadelic
Released	May 15, 2007
Recorded	1983–1985
Length	72:53
Label	Hip-O Select
Producer	George Clinton, Harry Weinger, Alan Leeds
Funkadelic chronology
Live: Meadowbrook, Rochester, Michigan (1996) By Way of the Drum (2007) Toys (2008)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Blender
Chicago Tribune
Goldmine
The Philadelphia Inquirer	(favorable)

Track listing

1. "Nose Bleed" (Clinton, McKnight) – 5:44
2. "Sunshine of Your Love" (Pete Brown, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton) – 5:26
3. "Freaks Bearing Gifts" (Clinton, Shider, Spradley) – 6:01
4. "YaDaDaDa" (Collins, Lewis) – 5:07
5. "By Way of the Drum" (Clinton, Shider, Spradley) – 5:59
6. "Jugular" (a.k.a. "Juggler") (McKnight) – 5:57
7. "Some Fresh Delic" (Clinton, Hazel, McKnight) – 5:25
8. "Primal Instinct" (Barsha, Clinton, Gambas, Jones) – 4:53

Bonus tracks

1. "By Way of the Drum" (Extended Version) (Clinton, Shider, Spradley) – 9:17
2. "By Way of the Drum" (Dub) (Clinton, Shider, Spradley) – 6:55
3. "By Way of the Drum" (Basstrumental) (Clinton, Shider, Spradley) – 6:11
4. "By Way of the Drum" (Acappella) (Clinton, Shider, Spradley) – 5:50

Personnel

• George Clinton
• DeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight
• Eddie Hazel
• Frank Colon
• David Spradley
• Donnie Sterling
• Loic Gambas
• Garry Shider
• Amp Fiddler
• Mallia Franklin
• Tracey Lewis
• Paul Hill

Further reading

• Michael Endelman, Funkadelic 1984, Entertainment Weekly, December 3, 2004.
• Funkadelic - By Way Of The Drum, All Things Deep, 2007.