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.