"Osmium" is the debut album by American funk band Parliament, led by George Clinton. Released in July 1970 on Invictus Records, the album features a psychedelic soul sound and a spirit of experimentation more akin to early Funkadelic than the later R&B-inspired Parliament albums. The original vinyl release included a glossy lyric sheet.
Since its re-release in 1990, Osmium has been distributed under various titles, such as Rhenium and First Thangs, across the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Some reissues have included additional material, like unreleased tracks and singles recorded around the same time as Osmium.
The album features the five Parliament singers and the five Funkadelic backing musicians, the same lineup that recorded Funkadelic’s self-titled debut album in 1970. After Osmium, contractual issues halted further recordings under the Parliament name until 1974, when Clinton signed the act to Casablanca Records, rebranding it with an R&B focus distinct from Funkadelic's rock-oriented style.
The yodeling in De La Soul’s early hit "Potholes in My Lawn" (from 3 Feet High and Rising) is sampled from Osmium’s track "Little Ole Country Boy."
This album is notable as the only Parliament release produced by Ruth Copeland and the only one featuring rhythm guitarist Tawl Ross before his departure in 1971.
