Before the mothership, before the costumes, George Clinton's crew cut this strange and wonderful debut for Invictus. Osmium is Parliament at its least codified: doo-wop harmonies crash into hard rock guitar, a bagpipe shows up, and gospel, country, and psychedelia all get a turn. It sounds like a band with no idea what it is supposed to be, which is exactly what makes it worth hearing. The songs are sharper than the reputation suggests, and the playing is ferocious throughout. This RSD Essential pressing brings a long-scarce record back where it belongs, on a shelf rather than in a want list.