Album Notes: Jimi Hendrix's untimely death in September of 1970 left a gaping hole in the funk-rock genre. With 1971's MAGGOT BRAIN, Funkadelic showed that they were rightful heirs to Hendrix's throne. This is the album where, all at once, everything seems to come together for the legendary band. Most obviously, the songwriting is sharper and more focused. As on their previous releases, epic instrumental compositions dominate. But this time they are much more coherent and less reliant on studio trickery and psychedelic effects (with the exception of the album's closer, the instrumental freak-out "Wars of Armageddon"). The stunning title track provides the ultimate vehicle for Funkadelic's late and great guitarist, Eddie Hazel. This moving ten-minute instrumental has Hazel playing through many peaks and valleys, wringing passion from his six-string, and leaving the listener drained by its conclusion. Another highlight is "You And Your Folks, Me and My Folks," a song about interracial relationships that is one of Funkadelic's most soulful tracks ever. Also included are the heavy metal thrasher "Super Stupid," the prime funk workout "Hit It And Quit It" (featuring the great Bernie Worrell on organ), and "Can You Get To That," one of the sunniest, most memorable funk-gospel-soul songs in the band's--or anyone's--catalogue. MAGGOT BRAIN is unquestionably one of rock and funk's all-time classics.
Album Reviews: Mojo (p.52) - Ranked #4 in Mojo's "The 50 Most Out There Albums Of All Time" - "The music, seismic and bold, melds fright-inducing lyrics with a transcendental backdrop." Uncut (p.122) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[With] a title track that's a bare showcase for Eddie Hazel's 10-minute guitar solo of mournful commitment."
Advantages: Improvement on past material Disadvantages: Nothing specific
...?MaggotBrain? came out in 1971 as the third album from the George Clinton-led Funkadelic. It sees just as with earlier albums both here, and as Parliament, you find the same line-up with Tiki Fulwood on drums, Billy Bass Nelson as the bassist, Eddie Hazel on lead guitar and the Parliaments (Clinton, Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, Grady Thomas and Ray Davis) for the vocals (in addition to many other contributing with lesser roles coming with some Psychedelic Rock, Funk and Soul.
1. ?MaggotBrain?
Getting things underway you have a highly emotive one which sees Hazel straight ripping it with a guitar solo as he attempts to convey the emotions of his mother?s passing through what he can on the guitar (complete with wah-wah techniques), and the results are something which you just can?t argue with. As it does just tear you apart, and has...
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Advantages: Like nothing youve ever heard. Disadvantages: Little in the way of song structure.
...The first Funkadelic album. The entire album was recorded in a few days and is largely improvisational. It follows the typical George Clinton line-up: A huge band of organists vocalists and guitarists all adding their own little stamp over a funky backbeat. All the seeds of Parliament/Funkadelic are here. Experimentation, Clintons long introductions, talk of outer space, and many sexual references as expected. Blues, funk and pyschadelia influences are all here. You can hear Eddie Hazel's Hendrix influenced guitar, carrying the torch in the year of Jimis death, yet he seems to have not yet quite found his own sound. I find it reassuring to see how much this guitarist had improved and diversified over a few albums from this to say his solo work. I think if you like one track from this album you will like them all. Some more organised than...
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Advantages: Original and pure Disadvantages: Long tracks
...The self-entitled debut from Funkadelic in 1970. The Funk group were originaly backing members to George Clinton's band, The Parliaments (Not to be confused with Parliament, who were the other band to split off from this original group). The group were one of the top ones in the genre at the time, and although for this one, they did less of the Funk as we know it, and more Pyschedelic Soul and Rock. Nonetheless, it has been samples numerous times in the Hip Hop world for its originality and pureness. As well as Clinton, other names you may recognise are Fuzzy Haskins, Billy Bass Nelson and Eddie Hazel.
1. "Mommy, What's A Funkadelic?"
This oen semed to go on forever, and not a lot seemed to happen in it as they begin the album with some Pyschedelic Rock. From the start, you get an idea of waht this album is going to be like as you get...
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helpful 29.03.2009
(14.02.2009)
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