"Uncle Jam Wants You" is a concept album by the American funk rock band Funkadelic, released in 1979 by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by George Clinton under the alias Dr. Funkenstein, this album marked a departure from previous releases, as it was the first since America Eats Its Young in 1972 not to feature a cover illustrated by the iconic Funkadelic artist Pedro Bell, though Bell did contribute to the back cover and interior artwork.
The album achieved significant commercial success, becoming the second Funkadelic album to be certified gold. It peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, showcasing the band's influence in the funk genre. With its engaging themes and innovative sound, Uncle Jam Wants You remains a noteworthy entry in Funkadelic's discography.
Uncle Jam Wants You plays on the theme of the "Uncle Sam wants you!" recruitment posters, positioning itself as a more militant follow-up to Funkadelic's previous album, One Nation Under a Groove. The album reflects the band’s response to the rise of disco, aiming to "rescue dance music from the blahs," as stated on the cover.
The cover art features George Clinton striking a Huey Newton-Black Panthers pose, emphasizing the album's socio-political undertones. It includes the band’s last major hit single, "(Not Just) Knee Deep," which reached number one on the Billboard Soul singles chart. The album title inspired the DJ organization Uncle Jamm's Army, further cementing its cultural impact.
The 15-minute track "(Not Just) Knee Deep" has been widely sampled, notably in Digital Underground's "Kiss You Back" and De La Soul's "Me Myself and I," highlighting its lasting influence on hip-hop and dance music.
