Mothership Connection

The first of a marvelous trifecta of Parliament albums (followed by "Clones Of Dr.Funkenstein" and "Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome") ... "Mothership Connection" lays the essential groundwork for what followed and is really the first cohesive, crystal clear concept album Clinton and co. produced. The strong tone of this album is really African-American unity and pride. It is not a militant or malicious tone, but rather loving and celebratory. There is nothing exclusionary about the feeling of the album, but it is clear that Clinton and co. are speaking to the black American condition and the use of tongue-in-cheek science fiction imagery is a metaphor for the desired feeling of collective cohesion and love. It is actually quite a beautiful message, but it is never heavy-handed. This album is absolute FUN. The music is FUN, the singing is FUN. All sorts of feelings and moods are conjured up under that umbrella of FUN(k?)from the sneering, foot-stomping ("P.Funk Wants to get Funked Up") to the deeply soulful (the "Swing Down" section of the title track) as well as the frantic, cartoonishly sexual ("Handcuffs", featuring brilliantly exaggerated vocals from Glenn Goins), the celebratory ("Tear The Roof Off") and the schizophrenically sinister/upbeat ("Night Of The Thumpasaurus Peoples"). This album defines Funk as something greater than just groovy R&B, it attaches greater meaning(s) to the word and it succeeds! This is essential to P-Funk but also to any understanding of the 1970s as well.

They put "Swing Down", the old southern gospel song, right in the middle of their second track! It makes no sense, it's just fun! It's funk. It's great music that you can move to.

If you like funk, this is a great album to buy!

I remember getting into George Clinton's solo joints, and being told right away that his work with Funkadelic / Parliament is better. After checking them out, I can indeed say that claim is true. I still dig his solo work though, for it does have its moments.

If I were to choose a favorite Parliament album, this would most likely be it, though Up For The Down Stroke comes close. From start to finsh this album is solid, and never gets dry. One thing I really love about this album (and every other album by this artist) is that so many people can get into it. I work with a wide range of different people and we're always arguing about which music to put in. Once I introduced them to this, they never argue when I suggest it. Honestly, who can resist the ultra funkalicious melodies of the great P Funk? I can't say I've ever met anyone who can. The song structures aren't too complex, and the lyrics (which are mostly George's dialoque, and group chorus's) aren't necessarily poetic, but when combined they equal something so magical, unique and innovative. Not only did they revolutionize Funk, they created many commonly used phrases used in modern day speech; (tear the roof of the mutha sucka) (the bomb) (put a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip) those ALL came from this. Perhaps its biggest inlfuence is the Hip Hop/Rap world. The first time I listened to this, I couldn't believe how many producers have sampled this. Espeicially Dr. Dre on his '92 classic album - The Chronic. But you can't blame them for wanting to add a little Mothership Connection to their own music.

If you've never taken a ride on the mothership, you owe it to yourself to hop on. I must warn you though ... you will come back for another expedition.

The CD arrived in express time; The quality is superb and I will be ordering more...What more can I say?

Parliament-Mothership Connection *****

George hit the the nail on the head, or hit the groove in the right place is more like it. By the time of Mothership Connection George Clinton had perfected what he took from Sly and James and created something so strange and something so original, too original in fact that it should not have worked. Oh boy did it work though. Mothership Connection remains the groups biggest and most popular album even more so than Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome, and Funkadellic One Nation Under a Groove.

So here's the deal. It's a concept album. Not the strongest concept mind you but being the genius Clinton is he makes it work, and work wonderfully. Funk from outer space is here (star child) and it is going to retrieve the funk from the pyramids. Sounds crazy? Well just wait till you actually here the music...

'P-Funk' opens the killer album with a George playing a radio dj as he was known to do. He never did it better then here. The subtle guitar lines make for and atmosphere that more then compliments the driving bass line from Bootsy and the vocals from the Brides. 'Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication (The Bumps Bump)' is well....hilarious. One of the funkiest tunes in all of the kingdom of funkdom! This is truly George's song and he completely kills it. Gangsta Rap would have been nothing with out this one that's for sure. ' Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)' went on to become the groups biggest single, even better then the superior 'Flashlight.' Though it has been sampled more times then one would care to count it is the true original that dominates. Bootsy's licks and the group vocals make for one of the most memorable tunes in all of funk history. To go track by track and list why each track is a highlight would run trite and tedious, besides these three tracks are worth the cash flow anyways.

Mothership is the perfect place to start a funk or Parliament collection. While I myself am more of a Funkadellic man myself, you can't have one with out the other. It would be like having the Kool with out the aid. Essential.