Daily scrollers of Facebook are well aware of the various pages devoted to musical artists. Parliament-Funkadelic is no exception. There are dozens of pages devoted to the U.S. Funk Mob and its many spin-off acts. After a less than positive experience overseeing a P-Funk page, I decided to start my own page with the help of my partner in time, Donna McCoy, and various other faithful Funkateers. On May 5th, 2016 (Cinco De Mayo no less), A ParliaFunkadelicment Thang was born. Today, it boasts a membership of over 16,000 members and continues to grow to this day.
Recently, the members of the APT page were given the task of compiling a list of the most essential P-Funk albums. Unlike similarly themed lists, this task is the result of hundreds of hardcore Funkateers contributing their knowledge and insight in terms of assessing their favorite P-Funk disc, as opposed to one writer utilizing surface-level familiarity with the music.
This comprehensive list represents two weeks of diligent and precise polling. I personally want to thank all of the members of the APT page for making their voices heard!
1) Parliament: Mothership Connection (1975)
The album that turns Funk into a conceptual juggernaut. The ever-evolving Parliament mythos starts here.
2) Funkadelic: One Nation Under A Groove (1978)
The idea of P-Funk as a unifying power. The band’s newest recruit, ex-Ohio Player Junie Morrison, propels the music to new heights of Groovallegiance.
3) Bootsy’s Rubber Band: Stretchin’ Out In Bootsy’s Rubber Band (1976)
The debut album from the Captain of the Mothership’s Brothership. Rubberized rhythms that deliver another point of view.
4) Parliament: Funkentelechy Vs. The Placebo Syndrome (1977)
The battle between Star Child and his arch-nemesis, Sir Nose D’Voidoffunk. Sir Nose ends up giving up the Funk in a Flash of Light.
5) Bootsy’s Rubber Band: Ahh…the Name Is Bootsy, Baby! (1977)
Establishes Bootsy’s band as a prime force in Funk independent of the parent organization. Grooves that swing so hard, they cause injuries.
6) Eddie Hazel: Game, Dames, and Guitar Thangs (1977)
The most sought-after P-Funk spin-off project. His only solo album released while he was still alive.
7) Funkadelic: Cosmic Slop (1973)
The first P-Funk soul album. The title cut is performed by the band to this day.
8) Parliament: The Clones Of Dr. Funkenstein (1976)
Introduces the King of the Funk, Dr. Funkenstein and the children of production.
9) Funkadelic: Maggot Brain (1971)
The cornerstone of the Black Rock movement of the early 1970s. Picks up where the Hendrix/Band Of Gypsys project leaves off.
10) Funkadelic: Let’s Take It To The Stage (1975)
Funk-N-Roll at its most twisted and divine. The Bootsy persona begins to take flight.
11) Bernie Worrell: All The Woo In The World (1978)
The one-time musical director for P-Funk takes center stage. Insurance Man For The Funk is gut-bucket Funk perfection.
12) Parliament: Motor Booty Affair (1978)
P-Funk goes underwater and gets “airbody” to do the Aqua Boogie. A motion picture underwater.
-Tim Kinley
Photo composite courtesy of the author
I’ve been a loyal fan of Parliament, Funkadelics, Bootsy Collins, George Clinton and all things funk. And I’m so glad you mentioned Jimi Hendrix & Band of Gypsys – and Ohio Players & Junie Morrison. I still remember all the lyrics in my favorite songs from these bands! Gonna join your FB page. So, now you’ll have 16,001 members
This is a great walk down memory lane for me. My Dad was in radio. I don’t know your age – do you remember WWRL & WBLS? My Dad was the Manager at ‘RL & prez at ‘BLS. So i grew up surrounded by music. Cheers, Dorri Olds
Absolutely. I lived in NYC during NY Black radio’s golden age. WBLS, WWRL and WNJR were my main go-to stations in the 1970’s. You will be more than welcome on the APT page.
I will be kind I promise I loved Funkadelic and I still love Funkadelic. The first time I heard Funkadelic I was twenty-one my brother turned me on to Funkadelic. The first album I heard by them was Free Your Mind and it was on from their. I been a fan every since.
Everybody’s funkin and they don’t know how, you should have seen the bull when he funked the cow, he funked him so hard he saw some smoke, he said let’s get in the bed and funk like folks. Laughing at you Funk used to be a bad word.
Absolutely Facts!