Track Listing

1. P Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)
2. Mothership Connection (Starchild)
3. Unfunky UFO
4. Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication
5. Handcuffs
6. Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)
7. Night Of The Thumpasorus People
8. Star Child (Mothership Connection)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38396 in Music
• Released on: 2003-03-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered, Import
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

CD Description
Parliament was one arm in George Clinton's funk army duringthe 70s, a large conglomeration of groups and musicians (including Bootsy's Rubber Band, Funkadelic, The Horny Horns and others) dedicated to rewriting the rules of funk, soul androck. Clinton's bands sounded like James Brown gone mad, partly because of the inclusion of former JB sidemen Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, but mostly because of the alternate universe they inhabited--a sort of drugged-out travelling sci-fi soul revue.
MOTHERSHIP CONNECTION showswhy Clinton's formula for funk domination of the free worldworked so well. The music is tight and groovy, with heavy bass lines, precise horn runs and ultra-electronic keyboards (provided by Bernie Worrell). The lyrics are often no more than spaced-out spoken word excursions, sounding like Sly Stone reciting Isaac Asimov. And the whole concept and presentation was so totally freaked out that it would catch people off-guard, letting Clinton's teachings and philosophies seep into the unconscious. The most traditionally structured songis a love and bondage number called "Handcuffs", which shows how far Clinton and his P-Funkers had brought funk from the halcyon days of Otis Redding and James Brown. Songs like "P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)" and "Tear The Roof Off The Sucker", with their extended interplay and dazed vocals, helped pave the way for the rise of hip hop as a commercial vehicle.

Customer Reviews

P.Funk, uncut funk, The Bomb
Probably the best parliament album - every track is a classic - you'll never need to press the skip button. The intro to the first track alone is worth the price. The last track is surplus to needs but you won't complain about it because it is such a funkin track and hearing it twice will be nothing but a pleasure to your earhole.
The remastered sound is good, bringing some instruments up in the mix, leading me to notice parts that were previously buried deep in the mix. The bass sounds amazing.
If you want a funky album, want to learn about the origins of Hip Hop, black culture or are just a P-Funk fan, then this is an essential album in an essential format, and by all means, get it now!

Tear the roof off this sucker!!!
Parliament, like all the George Clinton projects was the epitome of funk in the 70's. No one else could come near, and everything else sounded like a poor imitation of albums like this one.

From beginning to end it is one long funk party, only slowing tempo for a short rest, then back to funkin it up! This is classic Parliament, with tracks like 'P Funk', and the amazing 'Give up the Funk'. If you like funk, then you'll love this!!!!

Thumpasorusly out of this world.
Oh good golly. And to think that most of the P-Funk output could be purchased (on vinyl) at bargain-basement prices, in the late seventies and early eighties. Seriously! Those of us who are old enough to remember will be able to "testify". I was crazy enough to flog off my cut-out LP copy of this particular record, and i can't tell you how hard it was to replace it.

This album, in particular, is deemed to be the most "popular" of Parliament's recordings. Maybe because it is just so incredibly brilliant. One of the greatest soul/funk records EVER recorded, in my opinion. Even the "weaker" tracks like "Unfunky UFO" and "Handcuffs" are great. And then there are some seriously jazzy/funky grooves on this album, like "P. Funk" and "Star Child". George Clinton is simply outrageous, as he imparts his thoughts to the listener. Rather like an ultra-smooth version of Captain Beefheart.

The album closes with the amazing duo of "Give Up The Funk" and "Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples". Two utterly fabulous grooves, which demonstrate how well these guys could play. Listen, on the latter, for the "smelliest" sounds ever to come out of a synthesiser. Go BERNIE!!!!

If you don't yet know this album, don't wait any longer.