Mothership Connection

Alongside other artifacts of humanity, this is one of the albums I'd pick to place inside a probe that gets launched deep into space in the hopes it's one day discovered by an alien civilization — and not just because of the cover or extraterrestrial theme (though maybe that helps). It's just strange and funky, it might make the aliens shake it, and it makes humanity sound queer and fun. More terrestrially, it's the sound of peak '70s Me Decade drug-induced hedonism freak flaggery, an album that would echo through so much hip hop decades later.

I am all for everything this album has going on (except Handcuffs, that song kinda sucked). The imagination, the coined slang, the call and response.

I already have this album in a fairly regular rotation. It took a long time for me to divorce my feelings about Funk from Hip Hop's G-Funk era, and the period ca. the late 90s and early 00s where white hippies were proclaiming a love for funk (I mean, the hippies weren't wrong, but those dudes were so corny it was off-putting). But I got there.

The first 2 intro songs are a bit slow/filler, but once it gets going, unstoppable.

It is funky.

Oooh, another delightful discovery courtesy of this project. A playful, fun concept album with excellent beats - no boredom here!

Peak 70s funk. Lovely crisp sound and spacey instrumentals. Pleasant surprise when Give up the Funk turned up towards the end. Standout track: Mothership Connection (Star Child)

it was ok. the interludes were too cute

This is tough. Under the right circumstances, this album works great. But otherwise it’s kind of the same jam for the length with some highlights and low points. I like it but wouldn’t add to rotation.

It s funky and cheer you up!

You can not go wrong with Parliament as a 1st suggestion. I'm completely grooving to this. Just listening with this stupid grin on my face like I'm seeing a long time friend that I've not seen in a long time. Good times!

Classic. Haven't listened to this particular album that much, not as much as Up for the Down Stroke, but of course it bangs

This was actually fun(ky). I'm not that much into funk, but you can hear the fun the musicians had recording this album, and it gets you.

This was fun

Awesome sauce.

The greatest funk album of all time!

I would have never guessed that I'm a fan of 70s funk, but this list gave me an inside into Parliament, Funkadelic, some Stevie Wonder records and many others which turned me into a believer. Mothership Connection is a great album, I had a great time listening to it and it easily becomes one of my favourite funk releases.

Funny intro song haha - "That's the law around here, you got to wear your sunglasses, so you can feel cool" I felt the funk, for sure. Very groovy. What a fun album - should be listened to on a sunny day. Like I did. Very groovy, and what a bass. I had a stank face on almost the whole time, haha. And it is stinky, that bass actually sounds like farts, especially the last song. Not usually my kinda music, but I like how it makes me feel; happy. I can't give it a high rating tho. Cause I just wouldn't put this on, and I don't find it super interesting. I can appreciate the good musicians, but it just doesn't make me feel that much, other than, happy. And I kinda need something more from the music I listen to. Again I would like to know the importance of this album

All-time classic

Pass me a cigarette.....I am spent !!

Probably my favorite funk album I've gotten so far (if you don't count Head Hunters). The production sounds really great here. High 4.

Boring, not my music

More phunk, no phanks

Goedenavond. Doe geen pogingen deze funkplaat serieus te nemen. Zie de hoes voor wat we bedoelen. De buitenaardse broeders brengen u de funk, met gekke stemmetjes en rare kreten. Het resultaat is twee plaatkanten blij getoeter en getoets, en wie ben ik om daar tegen te zijn.

vrolijkmakende funky disco. Er wordt wat veel doorheen gesproken, rap kunnen we het nog niet noemen, wellicht een opstapje daarnaar toe. In die zin is het misschien nog niet het allerbeste. Maar vermaak lijkt het hoofddoel van deze plaat, en daar scoort het dik op.

Eerder kregen we Funkadelic, dat later samen met Parliament het collectief P-Funk ging vormen. Ik schreef daarbij al dat ik dit heb leren kennen via het boek van Anthony Kiedis van de Peppers. Ook dit album is weer een vrolijke mix van funky stijlen. Je wordt gelijk de 70s ingezogen, in een parodie op een blaxploitation of een parodie op een scifi-film als we die albumhoes zien. Ik heb het idee dat ze zichzelf ook niet helemaal serieus nemen. Dat blijkt al uit de hoes. Maar plezier maken ze wel en ik word hier vrolijk van. Ik zou het plaatje zo nog eens op kunnen zetten. En dat belonen we met een vrolijke 4 sterren.

FUNKFUNKFUNKNGUKNBFUNK

Solid funk album

Tell Bruno that THIS is smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy. It's funky buttery goodness.

T’was a bland and bleak existence. Then came the funk…

Surprisingly fun listen

Did I enjoy or this or have I just have a bad run of albums recently? I may never know.

i love funk, i love parliment, i love this album, i love bootsy. this album is funny bc it is only 38 minutes long, but i know in real life, when George and the gang play live, EACH song is like 38 minutes long! lol. i wonder how the sudio guys got them to cut it short. maybe the producer just cut off the song after 5 minutes each lol. album makes me reflect on meditation, and the transcendental meditation theory of a repeating a syllable(s) to bring peace. Each song is lyrically simple, with just one or 2 repeated phrases, repeated over and over and over, like an Om. i feel it would not be out of funkadelic's wheelhouse to be attempting to bring a trance like state to themselves and audience.

Some of the best work on one record - Afrofuturism found. Hard to imagine more influential playing on another record.

Love it ! My first funk album

YO THIS WAS GAS

Pre-listening thoughts: you know, I’ll take anything over Slipknot yesterday but funk is very welcome today. Feel like this is going to be fire. Post/during listening thoughts: I didn’t realize this was only 7 songs! 😭 this is what I THOUGHT the funkadelic album was gonna sound like, but that was an idiot assumption on my behalf considering their name is literally a fusion of the words funk and psychedelic. I usually am against long songs but Jesus this is so fun. Every piece of this band is heard/balanced and in sync and playing with a really infectious energy. If this doesn’t get you dancing I’m not sure anything will. I have no choice but to give this a 9/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes this is 100% essential listening and a staple of its genre Fav tracks: everything but was lukewarm on the last track being the last track if that makes sense Least fav tracks: n/a

Cool sound.

Funky

In George Clinton's brain, Maggot Brain represents the left side and Mothership Connection represents the right.

By 1975, funk had already made its mark, but Mothership Connection took it to the cosmos. George Clinton and Parliament didn’t just make an album—they built a world, one where groove was gospel, and the funk was a ticket to transcendence. Bootsy Collins’s bass bounces like it’s got its own gravitational pull, Bernie Worrell’s synths stretch reality, and the horn section punches through the mix with an almost military precision. Musically loose but perfectly in sync, Mothership Connection is a party, a sermon, and a revolution rolled into one. Standout tracks? No shortage of those. “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” is anthemic funk at its purest—thunderous basslines, call-and-response vocals, and a groove that demands movement. “Mothership Connection (Star Child)” is pure Afrofuturist theater, Clinton fully stepping into his intergalactic alter ego, backed by Worrell’s swirling keyboards and some of the tightest horn arrangements in funk history. And then there’s “P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up),” where Parliament turns a laid-back groove into a hypnotic, slow-burning manifesto. It reshaped the very idea of what funk could be, blending Afrofuturism with funky beats and political commentary. Clinton and Parliament pushed the concept of “Star Child” as a mythical figure escaping to a better world through the transcendence of funk, making the album as much about the future as the music. This wasn’t just a record—it was an ideological shift. Its influence is everywhere. Dr. Dre built The Chronic on its DNA (just listen to “Let Me Ride”), OutKast’s ATLiens wouldn’t exist without its space-funk blueprint, and Prince absorbed its theatricality into his own purple kingdom. The Beastie Boys sampled it, Kendrick Lamar carries its spirit, and Janelle Monáe channels its Afrofuturist vision. Respected by your favorite artists, sampled by your favorite rappers, this is foundational.

3.4 2x funky catch up 3/14/25

Concentration of funk

I feel funkaliciouslyfunktastic just for having listened to it.

So unbelievably cool. The band is so tight, the album flows perfectly. The songs are long and evolving without the album feeling drawn-out. So funky, I dig it.

Funk me

Really fun album.

I’m not usually into funk but top to bottom this album is so much fun

Tear the roof off the sucka

Heard quite a few samples from this! Good introdution ti pfunk

funk

P-Funk and Give up the Funk were highlights

The best funk sound of anyone else

The world would be a better place if everyone listened to Parliament and felt the funk.

Very funky, bit goofy. Liked most of the songs but it's nothing special for me.

I've never heard of Parliament before but wow. Holy funkaroni! This really assured me how I'm a funk girl - I love the vibes, I love the environment that this record creates and I love a cohesive album. George Clinton makes me float without ant psychedelics. Love a short album where every song is needed, important and makes sense. All are Faves so we will stick to the stellar sounds: - P-Funk (Lisa from the Simpsons was here) - Unfunky UFO - Handcuffs - Give Up The Funk Also the song titles are just absolutely divine. Fabulous album.

We should change St. George's day to December 15th to commemorate the day George Clinton brought us this album back in 1975. I wish my inner voice sounded like George Clinton. His speaking voice is as comforting as it is funky. This was great. Recognising the 2nd song as the sample from Dr. Dre's Let Me Ride was also fun. The instruments were so simple but were woven together masterfully and that bass guitar felt like a heart beat carrying me through each track. I started listening to it just before bed and thought I'd just check out the first song and finish the rest in the morning, but, once I started, I couldn't pause it. This thing is a masterpiece. Clearly I'm a big fan of albums with spaceship cover art. In summary, there isn't a single weak song on here. After one listen, it's already one of my favourite full albums of all time. Also shout out to Garry Shider. The vocals on Handcuffs are incredible.

Good

this album really does feel like it was dropped off on earth by some funky aliens, i looooove the bass in this record

I really liked the sound palette and the over all album was very good. Really enjoyed hearing where some amazing samples came from

Átti von á einhverju örlítið meira upptempó, en þetta er nú engu að síður ansi skemmtilegt.

28/02/25 2nd jazz album in a row and a 2nd disappointment.

The standard for funk.

Solid groove, more jazzy than I remembered, definitely cures migraines and arthritis

I'm not even joking I had a migraine this morning and this made it better

These guys love funk. A few of the songs were about something other than that. Great live show doesn’t transfer completely here. Still a fun groover

Very groovy, makes me want to shake my butt

If you don’t like this, you can go funk yourself

Straight bangers, Mothership connection, supergroovalisticprosifunkstacation and Night Of The Thumpasorus People are my favorites, but all of them are great

Very funky. Mothership Connection and of course Give Up the Funk stand out the most. Really breezy, doesn’t even feel like 40 minutes.

Didn't know what to expect but this was so much freaking fun. Lots of head bobbing. Funk isn't necessarily my thing but I can appreciate the music and how it works so well with all of the moving pieces, great piece of music

Starting with P-Funk, which is a classic that was already on my liked songs. Parliment has always been in my wheelhouse. Though I haven't gave this entire album a proper listen. So I'm gonna kick back and let my ear drums be soothed by funk. I love how tongue in cheek this band is, "Let me put on my sunglasses so I can see what I'm doing." Most of the lyrics are very about making love, but also playing funk, which go hand in hand I'm sure. I love the outlook of a horny alien coming to Earth to give us mortals a party and a good time. The samples in Mothership are sooo good. Let Me Ride by Dre and Regulate by Nate Dogg is where I first heard this sample of course. With Unfunky UFO I am reminded of The Mighty Boosh show about how George Clinton kicked the funk over the mothership and it landed at the bottom of a lake for Old Greg to find. Where is the funk today? Those keys were so impressive on The Bumps Bump song that I had to look up who it was. Of course it's a musical prodigy, Bernie Worrell. Who played with the Washington Symphony at age 10! Bootsy calls him the Jimi Hendrix of keyboards. I think I agree. He also did Talking Heads for Stop Making Sense! And Fela Kuti. I never knew, but now it makes sense. He used the minimoog keyboard for Parliament. Anything Moog from the 70s was gold. Speaking of he also used a gold wah wah. Alright went on a deep dive about the sounds and keyboards used by Bernie. Definitely adding him to my list of innovators. Well Handcuffs is a little problematic but this seems to be a theme from all these albums from the 70s. "I have to keep you barefoot and pregnant." Rules for you, but not for me mentality. God bless this song even says they don't care if they appear chauvinist. Just look at the lyrics. This album is just a party. Next up is the classic, "We want the funk, give up the funk." Overall this is a classic album, and now I am seeing that George Clinton and Pariament are coming to Ventura Music Hall. I might have to buy tickets, even though my wife is probably pissed about all the ones I've already bought.

The band has already made each and every funk-pun I could come up with themselves, so I am left with nothing but the funk. 3.5/5

I know I should love this, but I just like it. Sometimes a bit dull.

Funky album, too short. 3/5

It's Parliament, baby. They are nothing but love.

All timer. Long live George Clinton

I appreciate George Clinton and have seen him live but I can't get through this bands studio albums

saxophone

Just a great listen

Good vibes

7/10

Auch ganz nett ;)

Space Funk has never sounded so good. Steady drums, funky driving basslines, unbelievable horn sections, and groovy vocals, it’s hard not to bop your head to this one. The overarching theme essentially boils down to “black people go to space” and it somehow works exceptionally well. 4*

Awwww yeahhhh. What is there to say about this album? It’s an absolute classic, a behemoth of music history and culture, a stroke of crazy creative genius. Better enjoyed than talked about. 10/10

Did every late 90’s early 2000’s hip hop album sample from this album or what? My Gosh, did I miss the “ship” when it came to Parliament. This album is the shit. Not shit, THE shit. I got so caught up in the album that it finished and I just kept listening to whatever Spotify played next, thinking it was Parliament. I don’t know how one could not like this album but I’m sure there are hippies, country people and metal heads that will melt like the Wicked witch of the west when they hear it. Her problem was water, I know that. Choice cut: Mothership Connection

84/100.

I know I'll be in the minority here, but I did not love this, which is odd 'cause I usually like funk. I guess I prefer when it has a bit more variety to it. Something about this one felt exhausting to me. 2.5 stars

Once again, a totally unknown band for me. I like the funky sound so I enjoyed the whole album. Nice beat, nice arrangements.

A super tight, super fun surprise of an album. Tracks are all pretty great, the grooves are incredible, the vocals and lyrics are so energised and the galactic radio concept just brings a smile to my face. Wouldn’t say there are any particularly weak tracks, just that I wish there was a bit more of it! 4.5/5

AW HELL YA FUNK!

PEE FUNK

Party

essential funk! “we need the funk, we gotta have that funk”

The grand daddy of funk albums. These are not so much songs as they are recorded party’s. They just let go and caught it on vinyl. The influence this band had on others is immense. Fun stuff.

sound super cool and funky. lyrics full of contextual mysticism and humour.

This album was the business when I was in high school, lots of the band kids were all about it and I heard it a lot. Nobody could play like Bootsy. I reckon that's still true today. :)

Classic funk record, what's not to like?

otrolig funk. jag säger det igen, oterolig funk.

Lot of talk about ''funk'' ,A fun but not very diverse album. Not exactly my style but I dont hate it either

funktastic

Tremendously funky and cool.

Oh, we are starting like this? P-Funk has to be one of the best opening tracks ever.

It’s exactly what I expected. I probably would’ve liked it more if I had some cocaine

We are all connected to the mothership. A monument in funk, culture, and fun whose influence reaches far beyond the bounds of its own genres (looking at you Dr. Dre and every other sampler). It engages the listener the whole time and is one of the best showcases of P/F's true talent

4.0 - Very Good

Very fun.

Oh man I remember listening to Parliament as a kid in the background and just thinking who is this and why do they sound like that?! But then I got older realized they were just trying to save the funk! Lol for reals though Old Gregg aside this was an awesome album and I really think they were for lack of a better term really getting into their groove on this album! This is a very good funk album by a great band of talented musicians

Like the funk

this crazy album. so good

Such a banger. One of the best on this list. No complaints, all vibes.

some of the best funk I’ve heard from this planet

Funk foundation! I love the lackadaisical friends-hanging-pit vibe and the iconic "We Want the Funk" was asked for and delivered. Some of the sounds just sounded like farts, but props to them for experimenting.

Interesting, a future album from the past

Un funk très fluide, auquel la narration et le concept ne font pas obstacle. J'aime beaucoup les voix, qui ont du coffre.

Funktastic

funk it up

Love the funky vibe of this album!

Ngl ts so mid

Not the vibe and songs are too long

tripposo

Ok

These guys say Funk more times per song than Imagine Dragons says Thunder. But pretty good funk music.

A great funk album.

Way more funk than the Funkadelic album we had before. Interesting how much this influenced future gangsta rap - I recognized a few backing tracks just from that. In the end this album is still a little too jammy for me, but I recognize this is probably peak for the genre.

AKA: The 1990s Death Row Records Sample Library. Almost gets into 4 territory because when the songs land, they really land. But, a lot of it was a little more formless, even if the energy persists.

Best iteration of Parliament to date. Repeatedly thought to myself that Dre and Snoop owe a fare bigger debt to George Clinton than anyone realizes. Classic.

Been liking the funk albums. Didn’t blow me away, but solid and enjoyable. Made doing my taxes today much more bearable

I like the otherworldly aesthetics and it certainly sounds like it too. Great fat bass tone & soulful vocals. Standout track is: “Handcuffs”

Really amazing

to be added not much to critique, the album has great tunes, it's groovy, the instrumental pallete is rich. spoken vocals are not really my thing and also funk in general, but I can't ignore the craftsmanship here. solid 8

these recent recs are killing it. i love the concept of interstellar funk & the record is just so much laid back fun. excellent stuff!

Track 1 - dug it Track 2 - decent Track 3 - funky and moving Track 4 - cool vibe and picked up as the tune progressed Track 5 - head bopper and head shaker Track 6 - killer track - simply slays Track 7 - little different with the kazoo/fart sounds - still a head bopper

P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up) - 4/5 Mothership Connection (Star Child) - 3/5 Unfunky UFO - 4/5 Supergroovalisticprosifunktication (The Bumps Bump) - 4/5 (yes i typed that WHOLE fucking title) Handcuffs - 4/5 Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker) - 5/5 Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples - 3/5 Average score: 3.8/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ solid funk, nuff said

I genuinely enjoyed this short maxi album. It's p-funk. It's on the label. It does it's job admirably.

Funk not only moves but it can remove, so best tune up your interplanetary funksmanship and put on your sunglasses so you can see what you're doing. Unfunny UFO is one of the best songs ever.

Funky indeed, very fun

Funkaliscious!

Hard to be in a bad mood listening to this absolute funk masterpiece.

I know this artist, really never listened to much of their stuff though I do know what type of music and vibe they bring. I dig it! This is so good. So funky and such a great vibe!

was okay. Liked the funk, did not really like the spaceship theme

Funk is so much fun, reading more about how important Parliament and Funkadelic were is super eye opening to what would otherwise just be a super groovy and fun album to me

Nice funk, although not exactly my jam (sometimes it can be too much). 6/10

Give up the funk you punk! OG funk s dobrom produkcijom (pogotovo bubnjevima na predzadnjoj pjesmi). Tematski povezan, instrumentalno zanimljiv. Jedino mi je zao sto nisu bili vokali malo zastupljeniji u nekim pjesmama. Sve u svemu solidan album. Fav tracks: Unfunky UFO, Handcuffs, Give up the funk (zbog bubnjeva). 7/10 = 4

Funktastic

The best

Favourite songs: Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker), Mothership Connection (Star Child), Unfunky UFO, P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up), Handcuffs Least favourite songs:Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication (The Bumps Bump) 5/5

Funkalicious grooves from the mothership, baby!

Too many classics and famous samples galore.

Listening to this and this is pure grooves. The fourth track, "Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication" is the first track where I got hooked. The synthesizer being such a prominent instrument losing it's mind as the bass lays the foundation has now been engrained into my brain chemistry. As I keep listening I keep having the same thought, "Is funk just another iteration of jazz?" Grooves will come in and out, but there will always be a foundation groove to hold onto. As I near the end of this album, I see why it was included in this list. A lot of artists that came after this either interpolated, sampled, or found inspiration from Parliament and Funkadelic. Would I listen to this album again? Probably not, but the roots that this album planted are everywhere.

Top 3: Handcuffs Give up the Funk Night Of The Thumpasorus People

Pretty basic funk, slightly boring

It is the embodiment of a party and a good time. I was very amused to learn that the motif of aliens coming to Earth to bring up the funk dates so far back. A lot of 'danceable' tracks.

Ah yes! R&B meets heavy psychedelics!!! Gotta love the funk years lol. I was a big fan of Funkadelic after hearing them in college and the song Maggot Brain is probably one of my all-time favorite guitar solos of all time (sorry not on this album lol). Close your eyes and experience it on headphones - it is just SO emotional. Eddie Hazel recorded it after the producer told him to go play the solo as if someone just told him his mother had died. And he succeeded. Sorry I am on a tangent but Parliament was part of the funk craze and Parliament and Funkedelic were sort of the same entity and had a lot of similar members back/forth so it does somewhat apply. George Clinton started this fun crazy experimental direction into funk. It was like this journey through incredible beats, R&B, awesome back-ground vocals, horns, shit - everything! lol. It's just fun crazy intelligent music. It's where Bootsy Collins started to shine (after eary years with James Brown). Lots of talent and I love this era because it was VERY experimental and did a lot of really cool new stuff. Completely new sound. And so much of this sound you can here in a lot of current hip-hop. While this isn't something I would normally just pop on in the car to listen to, it is VERY fun to listen to and my leg was bouncing up and down the whole time. No skip-throughs and I enjoyed the whole album. Honestly I don't think I had heard anything before off of this album, but I enjoyed all of them. I appreciate it because musically there is a lot of great stuff going on here. Very well produced (lot of shit going on). Just fun. I really enjoyed this! Great stuff!

This album brings back a sense of nostalgia that I didn’t even know I had. Just hearing the initial groove and funkiness that sets the tone for the rest of the album in “P-Funk”, I am immediately transported to the backseat of my parents Chrysler Town & Country when I was a kid watching my mom jam out to the songs she, herself, grew up on. My mom introduced me to the sounds of soul, funk and disco that defined the part of the 70’s she was growing up in. Not only did her listening to bands like Parliament and artists like Levert teach me to appreciate their unique sound, it has also helped widen the entire scope of my music taste and to always be open to what is out there. This album, while not something I would always turn to to listen straight through, makes me smile. You know the band is just having the time of their lives jamming out and that is an amazing thing to be able to feel just through listening while you are by yourself listening to their album in a one bedroom apartment. Despite being in my apartment, I still feel like I am seeing them performing live, dancing and just feeling the soul of the music they are making; and I think that is something very special for a band to be able to create. Once again, while this is not an album I will go back and listen to all that much, it is one that holds a special place in my heart. I also think its cultural significance with such a unique soul and twist to the way music is heard and listened to with the purpose to spread FUNK and groove is undeniable. Heard Before: Mothership Connection, Give up the Funk, Handcuffs Favorite: Mothership Connection Least Favorite: Honestly don’t have one. I vibe to every single of these tracks, even when it’s just them talking or just grooving Sleep: Unfunky UFO or Handcuffs

Had to go grab my sunglasses to listen to this indoors. I was not expecting to like this as much as I did but the combination of funky beats along with horns from guys that played with James Brown, the pure sound on this album had me dancing around my apartment. As someone who appreciates an album listened to from top to bottom, I appreciate the “story” aspect to the album itself. While the lyrics seem like supplement to the musicians, it was the music itself that held my attention and enjoyment. Heard before: Give Up The Funk Favorite: Give Up The Funk Least: supergroovalistic (etc.) Sleeper: Mothership Connection

Great funk album

Ah, the Give Up the Funk is from this album, which is classic banger.

Everything you want from a funk album. Kind weird, talking about spaceships, but always keeping a heavy groove. Loves it.

maybe i'm just not as cut out for funk as i thought i was.

I like funk. I like funk like I like jazz. And jazz is a huge spanning genre with a large number of artists. Funk is shorter, not as often used now, but it also had enough players in the game where I thought this was ... well, maybe I should think of reggae. It had a smaller hay-day and some people shined and others were in the crowd. I see this band as in that crowd, just over there, but not quite at the head table. Maybe they are supposed to be? I don't know from history. But as far as funk goes. Yeah, it is OK.

Classic 1975 funk. A little out there, but good for a bop around the kitchen.

Interplanetary weed session

like this 4/5

Not for me. 1/5

A funky little treat

That will knock some Funk into ya

I think this is the most fun album that I've gotten on here. I don't even have a ton to say about it, but it's just 40 minutes of ridiculousness and fun funk music. Right from the beginning you get this goofy outer space radio intro thing, and then they kind of keep up with this concept throughout. I guess these guys were part of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective that released a bunch of albums over the years. The driving force seems to be the lead guy George Clinton, who sang a few songs on here and produced the album. There's just so much to like here. "Mothership Connection (Star Child)" gives us the line "If you hear any noise / it's just me and the boys" that inspired the famous Dave Parker Pirates t-shirt, and "Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker" is an iconic beat. The beats are good, it doesn't feel like it drags on at all, it influenced a bunch of later stuff, just an awesome album. Funk music can be a bit of an odd one on here because it just feels like it represents such a distinct moment in time, but this one really feels iconic and fun and a bit timeless in what it's trying to do. I didn't really expect to have a 5-star funk album, but this one deserves it for sure. Favorite song: Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker) Other: P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up), Mothership Connection (Star Child), Unfunky UFO, Handcuffs 1/18/25

Well this is more like it. 4?

masan funk

it's a fucked up album -- No, I mean, "Funked up". terrible pun, i know. the fact that my winter holiday has just started makes this album more enjoyable. because everybody has this experience of being too relaxed after the school year finishes. And I was just super relaxed, bobbing my head with the strong beat, it feels somehow like a drug. what an awesome rhythm section. what an energetic vocalist George Clinton is. And that whole damn awesome guitar and horns. I haven't had any type of funk music related experience that can match this since I danced to "Uptown Funk" in the school KTV night. It makes me become the chill guy. 4/5

The music isn't bad. Just not my cup of tea. I think the first song set the tone well. But every song after felt like the same song continued. Nothing separates each song. Felt like I was on a funky train, but I desperately want to get out. If I had to have a favorite, Handcuffs, just because the lyrics are funny.

It was indeed funkalishous, although lacking in lyrical substance

This was too funky for me. I suspect it is objectively too funky. I almost didn’t have a good time.

2.5 stars for wanting the funk

What an amazing album, short but very powerful. Vibes so funky, it cured my arthritis!

His name is George! George Clinton! And he's got 38 degrees in fuckin!

They are in fact funky. In case you didn’t hear the puns. It’s fun it sounds like they’re just jamming and having a great time. But after about 15 minutes of that I need a little more structure. Yes I’m white, maybe I’m not at funky as I want to be, but this funk is just a little too unstructured for me to stay engaged with. I like my George Clinton with just a tad less PCP.

P-Funk: I like the funky instruments and the hook, but I think the talking is a bit weird and it goes on for way too long. 6.5/10 Mothership Connection: The talking segments are kinda weird, but I like the rest of it. Also a bit long. 8.25/10 Unfunky UFO: The production is really good, and there are less (or none) spoken word sections. Super groovy. 8.75/10 Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication: Some weirdass percussion instruments take up a good portion of the song (i am pretty damn sure that i heard a vibraslap for like half of it). Despite that, this is insanely groovy (outside of the vibraslap). 7/10 Handcuffs: I want to have a child with the production. Super funky, super groovy, super good. I guess some lyrics are kinda weird. 9.5/10 Give Up The Funk: I don't know how, but this is a big step up from Handcuffs. I guess it drags on a bit?????? 9.8/10 Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples: What are these diarrhea noises. Also, did they put like, autotune on a trumpet 2/3s of the way through? The production is great outside of that, but this is not how this album should end. 5/10 OVERALL: Every song ends with a fade out, something I can handle but find a bit annoying. This is really damn funky, and I love it. Most of these songs are absolutely incredible, but P-Funk and Thumpasorus are pretty weak compared to everything else on this. SONG AVG: 7.8/10 PERSONAL RATING: 8.25/10

This is a 70’s funk album and boy they wouldn’t let you forget it was funk. There was a funk pun every 2 seconds. The instrumentals were groovy and the songs were catchy but I was like eh. Also the last song sounded like 5 minutes of flatulence.

I imagine if I liked the genre this would be quite good but just not my thing

Fun, true funk

Funky!

I never go out of my way to listen to funk, but I always really enjoy it. This was really fun. 4.

This album leveled up my funk game. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

I got one word for this record: teartheroofoffthesucker!

Banger!

Not the biggest fan of dubk

Bara give up the funk drar ju upp som tusan. I övrigt bra funk!

För sin tid progressiv funk, mycket klassisk funk i grunden men med vissa "utsvävningar". Trummisen är djupt "in the pocket"! Horn-sektionen är "on the money". Basen är härligt "punchig" och ligger rätt långt fram i mixen, basgångarna är riktigt härliga men ibland kanske man hade önskar lite mer variation. Överlag tycker jag ljudbilden är trevlig och väl anpassad för genren. För mig någonstans mellan en 3/5 och en 4/5 men ger en något generös 4 pga hur ikoniska de var och hur de förde funken framåt.

Stark 3a. Sparar 4 för album som har fler bangers.

the amount of high-quality music George Clinton released in the 1970s across several bands, side projects and solo acts as a singer, songwriter and producer is staggering, and it's no surprise that he's one of the most revered artists in the history of The Funk. whereas Funkadelic leans more heavily on the rock side of things, Parliament were a little bit more on the soul and synth end. having recently gotten very into Dr. Dre's The Chronic, it's clear how much of a lasting impact Mothership Connection had on Black American musical culture. the drum pockets, the squelchy basslines (courtesy of the one-and-only Bootsy Collins), the murderer's row of horn players, and especially Bernie Worrell's work on keys and synths all give this music so much color and, more importantly, a ton of groove, while also pointing towards the future, both sonically and philosophically. the science fiction streak running through the lyrics here imagines a future where Black astronauts interact with aliens throughout the galaxy and bring The Funk with them. sitting inside of tracks like "P. Funk" or "Give Up the Funk" is a sheer delight. how Parliament manages to sound so tight and loose all at the same time is one of music's great mysteries. light 9/10.

good!

I think this album is more technically and musically impressive than I actually enjoy it. While I like the concept of funk, sometimes I think bands can struggle with creating enough variety or dynamics on a whole album to make it not sound essentially the same from beginning to end.

Basically lots of talking. I didn’t really care for that.

"Swing down, sweet chariot, stop, and let me ride"

Yeah!!! This is their best one.

Wild! "Ain't nuthin' but a party y'all! The Mothership Connection gettin' down in 3-D! That's right, Put a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip And come on up to the Mothership ... " Also, TIL Dre's 'Let Me Ride," was mostly another ripoff. Chalk that up to another another reason to hate the Chronic.

No Funkadelic, but still plenty of funk.

I feel funked up.

I noticed several Dr. Dre and Snoopdog samples in this album. It was a nice funky Sunday morning.

So much fun and plenty of 90s rap Easter eggs too

Unexpected. Not my usual thing but had a lovely groove and smooth basslines.

Yes yes yes yes YES Short and funky and full of life!

Straight bangers 5/5

Solid Funk. True Love

Good lord this is funky. The levels of stank are immeasurable.

Songs long for my liking, knew one song already fun and funky but not my thing!

Turns out I'm not a huge fan of funk music but it did have a couple good songs.

Makes me want to put on sunglasses and spaz out on a keyboard in front of those Fifth Element aliens

Honestly album is mediocre, but it did give us a true gifts to mankind of George Clinton and bootie Collins.

very funky

Grandparent Funk Pinnacle! GFP!

Sick

I don't really like funk so I didn't really like the album. Some of the later songs were better than the first few

Classic. Gotta have the funk, indeed. They don't make them like this anymore.

This was, for the most part, a fun listen and straight funk from start to finish.

I am of the exactly correct age to vividly remember PCU, a 90s college comedy which culminates in P-Funk playing a frat house rager to save the day, playing on Comedy Central roughly twice a week after school, leaving me with both specific feelings about Jessica Walter and an inability to give a George Clinton album less than 5 stars.

Grausiges Funky gequietschte. Leider Meilen weit von Night Fever entfernt. Zum Glück gibt es die funkige Skiptaste.

Some classics but mostly repetitive

the origin of Mothership Reconnection

This cover art kicks ass

nice to listen to but not something i’d put on myself 3/5

It's funky. What else is there to say about it? Low 9

Well, it was pretty nice to hear. Loose, fun enough, yeah, I liked that one quite a bit.

I prefer this to most any other funk from that era, but it’s not always my cup of tea. I’d certainly put this on at a party, but I likely won’t come back to it.

Фанк

This was going to be a 3, but it lost me with the final track which sounded like the aftermath of a bad curry…

bangers across the board

Grooviest music I've ever heard. Great from beginning to end.

is it greedy to want more funk from the "we want the funk" album?

New old classic

This is a bit of me. Pure funk and soul that I didn’t know existed. 10/10

this album was pretty fun to listen to. I really enjoyed it because i just dig funk in general. this to me is something easy to throw on in the background and just listen to while doing chores, getting ready for sexy time, or walking down the street. a bit repetitive, and the lyrics aren't anything crazy, but i could listen to this groove for hours.

Is there a thing as too much funk?? I didn’t think it was possible but I think I found it here. Just a lot of groovy beats but no real melody and nothing super outstanding to me.

This deserves at least 3 stars. Crazy how much west coast hip hop in the 90’s was influenced by this album. Awesome.

So damn funky that you forget that the lyrics in funk music are almost always repeated. Give Up The Funk is a classic and was fun to jam out to for a minute. A good album but I don’t know if I’d rate it this high at a double album length.

Funk yeah. You better be prepared to listen to the Funk, the the whole Funk, and nothing but the Funk.

Very loose and repetitive (sometimes to a ponderous and/or messy degree). Touchstone for 90s hip hop (musically and lyrically). Highlights: "Mothership Connection (Star Child)" (nice horn riffs), "Handcuffs" (James Brown/Sly & the Family Stone vibes) Notable: "P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)" (Snoop took the radio motif on Doggystyle from this. Dre bookended The Chronic with a takeoff of this.)

There's a lot to love about this album. George Clinton is like a caricature of himself, but it adds to his personal charm. He embodies funk in a way that even the greats can't manage to do. James Brown was a great performer but he maybe took himself too seriously. Clinton on the other hand, dared to imagine and dream and present visions that others would have never dared to let themselves think. Why the hell shouldn't a funk album be a blueprint for equality where African Americans can become the bravest astronauts that ever lived? The Afrofuturism may have almost sounded silly but it's too inspiring not to love. Packaged in a fantastic, feelgood album with some great performers, and Parliament more than earned their place on this list. Just try to have a bad time while listening to "Mothership Connection".

This is the one with "Give Up the Funk". If you've heard that song, expect more of that. George Clinton and his merry band of misfits indoctrinate you into their funky world for 38 minutes. You will want to listen to the album twice because it is very fun, but it almost feels short. The instrumentation is lush and there's so much experimentation that it makes me a little giddy. At times, however, the album can feel a little one-note, but it's easy to see how important this particular work is on the genre and would become to hip-hop decades later. I'm not super into funk, so I can't rate it higher, personally, but it absolutely deserves to be on this list.

This is #day140 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... what the funk? It's all about jamming and jiving here. Cosmic, groovy, and jazzy. What else to add? I'm giving this album a 3 out of 5, though, as I'm not sure I'll be coming back to it soon. Looking forward to #day141.

I love this. Gotta have that funk.

Great album. This one has been sampled many times.

I thought it would be better. I was wrong. 2 stars, but barely.

Bringing the funk. Very good.

I'll be honest I really did not expect to like this but I've been proven wrong in so many levels - it still wouldn't be my top choice but this is undeniably good

Not my cup of tea. I think I just wasn't in the mood for this kind of sound, it kind of pissed me off.

Love it, ethereal and vibey. A little lacking in length and substance from each song.

Nice palate cleanser after a day of punk rock, goth rock and metal. Songs go on for ages but it mostly works to transport you to a certain vibe. Really enjoyed it but won't necessarily revisit 4/4.5

Hell yeah. 4.5

groovy

Tear the roof off this mother

Nice, relaxing, easy to hear

I WANT THE FUNK! I WANT THE FUNK! So fun beginning to end, what a trip this record is. I love that George Clinton had his funk band in Parliament and his straight up druggy psychedelic band in Funkedelic. I think Kendrick Lamar got one his vocal styles from this album.

funky

George Clinton's Opus - great bass lines and a clever lyrical theme throughout

Well, that was fucking cool.

Some classic beats here but I didn't thrive with it

I like to think that I am open-minded but I feel like this was particularly uninteresting as far as funk goes.

Parliament – Mothership Connection This is really good. The insane keyboard work from Bernie Worrell is a particular highlight, adding an unpredictable brilliance to the tracks. The songs are catchy, expertly played, and the playful space theme only enhances the experience. I couldn’t help but imagine how incredible it must have been to witness these performed live. My only complaint is that a few tracks feel a little overlong and repetitive, but overall, this is a fine album that’s packed with personality and funk. Standout Song: Unfunky UFO Score: 4/5

Nice and funky, but not particularly substantial. I enjoy the groove, but there's not much beyond that.

## In-Depth Review of *Mothership Connection* by Parliament Released on December 15, 1975, *Mothership Connection* is a landmark album in the genre of funk, crafted by George Clinton and his collective, Parliament. This album is celebrated not only for its infectious grooves but also for its ambitious themes and innovative production techniques. It has left an indelible mark on music history, influencing countless artists across various genres. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its overall influence while also discussing its pros and cons. ### **Lyrics** The lyrics of *Mothership Connection* are a vibrant tapestry of funk-inspired storytelling, blending humor, social commentary, and cosmic themes. The album introduces listeners to a fictional universe where Black astronauts navigate space, reflecting George Clinton's desire to place Black people in scenarios traditionally reserved for white characters. This concept is encapsulated in the title track "Mothership Connection (Star Child)," where Clinton invokes spiritual imagery with lines like “Swing down sweet chariot, stop, let me ride,” merging gospel influences with funk rhythms. The lyrics often oscillate between playful and profound. For instance: - **"Handcuffs"** presents a humorous take on possessiveness in relationships, with lines that suggest a tongue-in-cheek approach to love and commitment. - **"Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)"** employs call-and-response choruses that invite listener participation while celebrating the joy of dancing and community. This duality in lyrical content—combining lightheartedness with deeper societal reflections—creates a rich listening experience that resonates on multiple levels. ### **Music** Musically, *Mothership Connection* is a masterclass in funk. The album features a tight ensemble of talented musicians including Bootsy Collins on bass, Bernie Worrell on keyboards, Maceo Parker on saxophone, and Fred Wesley on trombone. Their contributions result in a sound that is both complex and accessible. Key musical elements include: - **Groove-Centric Bass Lines**: The bass work throughout the album is foundational to its sound. Tracks like "Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication" showcase infectious bass lines that drive the rhythm forward. - **Horn Arrangements**: The brass section adds a vibrant layer to the music, elevating tracks such as "Mothership Connection (Star Child)" with rich harmonies and dynamic interplay. - **Innovative Production Techniques**: The production blends live instrumentation with studio wizardry, creating a polished yet organic sound. The use of reverb and layering gives tracks an expansive feel, enhancing the cosmic theme of the album. Overall, the music is characterized by its upbeat tempos, catchy hooks, and an atmosphere that encourages dancing—a hallmark of funk music. ### **Production** The production of *Mothership Connection* was groundbreaking for its time. George Clinton's vision extended beyond just music; he aimed to create an experience. The album was meticulously crafted to ensure that each track flowed seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive listening experience. Notable production aspects include: - **Layered Soundscapes**: The album employs multiple layers of instruments and vocals that create a rich auditory tapestry. This complexity invites repeated listens as new details emerge each time. - **Conceptual Cohesion**: Each song contributes to the overarching narrative of the P-Funk universe. This thematic unity is enhanced by transitions between tracks that maintain momentum and energy. - **Live Feel**: Despite being produced in a studio setting, the album captures the essence of live performances. The energy of Parliament's live shows is palpable throughout the tracks, making it feel as though listeners are part of a communal experience. ### **Themes** *Mothership Connection* explores several prominent themes: - **Afrofuturism**: The album is often cited as a pioneering work within the Afrofuturism movement. It imagines a future where Black people are not only present but thriving in roles typically absent from mainstream narratives. - **Community and Celebration**: Many songs emphasize togetherness and joy through dance and music. Tracks like "Give Up the Funk" serve as anthems for celebration and unity. - **Social Commentary**: While largely playful, some lyrics also touch on serious topics such as possessiveness in relationships ("Handcuffs") or societal expectations. This blend allows for both escapism and reflection. ### **Influence** The influence of *Mothership Connection* extends far beyond its initial release. It has been recognized as one of the greatest albums in music history: - **Sampling Legacy**: Numerous hip-hop artists have sampled tracks from this album, most notably Dr. Dre's use of "Mothership Connection (Star Child)" in "Let Me Ride." This sampling has introduced new generations to Parliament's music. - **Cultural Impact**: The album has inspired countless artists across genres—from funk to rock to hip-hop—highlighting its versatility and timelessness. - **Live Performances**: Parliament's elaborate live shows featuring costumes and props (including a replica Mothership) set new standards for concert experiences in popular music. ### **Pros and Cons** #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The album showcases cutting-edge production techniques that were ahead of its time. - **Cohesive Concept**: A strong narrative thread unites all tracks under an imaginative theme. - **Musical Mastery**: Features exceptional musicianship with memorable melodies and rhythms. - **Cultural Significance**: Acts as a powerful statement within Afrofuturism and continues to resonate across generations. #### Cons - **Repetitiveness**: Some listeners may find certain tracks repetitive or overly long. - **Mixed Reception on Specific Tracks**: Songs like "Handcuffs" have been critiqued for lacking depth compared to other tracks. - **Accessibility Issues**: The complex arrangements may overwhelm casual listeners who prefer simpler musical forms. ### Conclusion *Mothership Connection* by Parliament stands as a monumental achievement in funk music history. Its innovative blend of lyrical depth, musical complexity, thematic richness, and cultural significance solidifies its status as one of the defining albums of its era. While it may not appeal universally due to its experimental nature or specific lyrical choices, its influence continues to be felt across genres today. This album invites listeners not only to dance but also to reflect on broader societal themes—making it both an entertaining and thought-provoking experience.

A sonic vision of a better intergalactic world with the Afrofuturism vibe. Such a fun album. Sci-fi sounding funk is something I always forget I need. It oozes cool, was groundbreaking, and musically tight as fuck. You can see its influences throughout the decades following. Love the voiceovers, the synth, the baselines, the guitar funk riffs. It's fun to listen to, sounds fun to have made, is sexy, is cool. Fits a bunch of different moods. It just has so many of funk's features and does them all so well across the songs. Wouldn't say funk is a core genre of mine but this is a brilliant album.

I funking love this one. I saw these guys in the 90's with a gigantic mothership on stage. What a great show! This is a fun album that no doubt influenced later Westcoast hip hop. It doesn't get funkier than this, unless you're talking about another Parliament, or Funkadelic album. I saw a recent documentary about this group, and I lost a lot of respect for George Clinton. He's basically a big piece of shit, and he screwed all these great musicians out of money. Crack is wack. I give this a funky 4.

"Ain't nothin' but a party, y'all." And I'm a sucker for a good party band. This album funk'd me up. I've heard a few of these songs before, but not the entire album--a rediscovered treasure for me. I listen to this at the gym. I started off with Gene Clark, and apologies to Gene, but I don't like to work out and I really need my gym music to bring the dopamine. This album did the trick and made me smile a lot. It was fun recognizing the moments that 90's artists referenced.

I really dug this one. Real instruments playing funk. Just a feel good album.

One day a coworker put on a funk mix CD he’d made. It was my introduction to Parliament and Funk in general. I definitely remember Give up the Funk was on it.

I like funk and Parliament is pretty much the best at it so I like this album. Could have probably done without "Handcuffs" and they have other albums with higher funk levels, but still a great listen. Always love Spotify's recommended songs after listening to an album like this too.

A lot of g funk rappers sampled this album and others from parliament funkadelic and associates. It was cool to hear the source and the music is very entertaining and enjoyable. I like funk music so that helps. The strings are very great (sucker for r&b and dance strings). If there’s anything negative it’s that the songs are too long for what they are. Best song: give up the funk

nice

Nö, schon wieder nichts für mich!

This truly belongs on this list. Great vision and sounds throughout. A listen that keeps you interested and engaged.

I was a little hesitant at first but then I got fully funked up. Started relistening to tracks immediately after the album ended.

Really funky, really groovy. Really fun to listen to.

P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)

Not a single bad song on this mother sucka'

Got it as a gift, on vinyl. Thank you Gabe, much love.

Had me dancing the entire time....sofa king good.

Too funky. Too dancey. A product of its time. Definitely not going in my collection.

It was ok. Sounded the same throughout the album and some songs were just way too long. Give up the Funk clearly best song and most known.

It felt too repetitive and didn’t change a lot in each song

Very funky. Not really my preferred cup of tea but it was okay. Nice background music. Very weird band and weird sound.

funk is not really my thing. this was ok background music on a Monday

Well, that's the best record I've discovered in 2024. I guess there's a point to this list after all.

Come on...it's Parliamont Mothership Connection. Chef's kiss.

Funky. But not as good as I wanted it to be. Songs were overlong and repetitive. I wanted it to be shorter, punchier. Instead I just got bored.

Incredible

Nations were founded on less. If you don't like this then you don't like livin'.

Not my thing but pleasant enough

Upbeat interesting sounds that have inspired many artists over the following decades. Oozing optimism and good natured fun.

- yeah -

An aggressively funky album, to the point where I got listening fatigue towards the end. I’m too weak for the funk I guess.

I don’t know how you listen to Parliament and just have a great fucking time. This band is tight as hell and seems to be having so much fun playing together.

My funk tanks are overflowing.

George Clinton. Funk so thick you can smell it.

Parliament and Funkadelic albums in the same week! Preferred this to Maggot Braim, very funky. Fav tracks: Give Up the Funk, P-Funk, Mothership Connection

pre: yes please post: no notes on the album, but reading briefly about George Clinton's career makes me want to read a full biography, and also go down a deep Parliament/Funkadelic/P-Funk All-Stars rabbit hole.

I’m not the biggest funk guy, but Parliament does it right! There were some definite bangers on this album.

I mean it’s Parliament so it’s gots to be funky, right? Even Handcuffs is great minus the lyrics. Uncut funk, the bomb as they so eloquently put it.