Maggot Brain - Remastered (U.S. Edition)

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 Jimi'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 & 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 & great guitarist, Eddie Hazel. This moving ten-minute instrumental has Eddie playing through many peaks & 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 & funk's all-time classics.

"With a title track that's a bare showcase for Eddie Hazel's 10-minute guitar solo of mournful commitment."
-UNCUT

"The music, seismic and bold, melds fright-inducing lyrics with a transcendental backdrop."
-MOJO

Funkadelic: Eddie Hazel, Garry Shider, Tawl Ross (vocals, guitar); Bernie Worrell (vocals, keyboards); Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins (vocals, drums); George Clinton, Grady Thomas, Raymond Davis, Calvin Simon (vocals); Billy "Bass" Nelson (bass instrument); Ramon Tiki Fulwood (drums).

NB: This CD contains the original seven track album from 1971 (remastered) plus three bonus cuts: An alternate mix of "Maggot Brain", the non-album B-side of the album's third single "Whole Lot of BS", and "I Miss You Baby" (recorded by U.S. Music with Funkadelic). The booklet includes in-depth sleeve notes by funk expert Dean Rudland, with details of the history of the band and this recording. The icing on the cake here are the full colour reproductions of the original artwork, contemporary memorabilia & adverts.