Maggot Brain by Funkadelic on Album Whale

"I don’t really remember why I decided to put this record on when I did the first time. Maybe George Clinton came up and I was just wondering what the Funkadelic side was. Parliament being that disco funk that I love, i was wondering what the other band did (not realizing that it’s kinda the same band, but not?)

But I took a break at work and threw it on. And maggot brain blew my mind. I remember starting to just cry a little. Like I felt the pain that Eddie was trying to convey (while both on acid, George asked him to imagine that his Mom died and what his guitar would say about that). I kinda like how all the songs fade out (which I usually don’t like) because it makes me feel like there is more to the story of the music, and they’re still playing the song today lol
I think I would be remised if I didn’t talk about the other songs. “can you get to that” is so unique, but familiar. The guitar is so chill. I imagine being on a boat with a bunch of friends and having a sing a long. The bass vocal is so great in that tune. I was also happy the first time I heard it because I realized that “Rill Rill” by Sleigh Bells used the guitar as a sample (I guess that’s why it was familiar)

“hit it and quit it” and “you and your folks, me and my folks” are kinda two sides of the same coin. Real sexy songs. Post-Motown psych. Something I really wish I could find more of. I love my disco, but I really love the underground style pre-disco funk. It’s what really paved the way so the stars could shine.

I like that these songs aren’t afraid to get sexual. People complain that hip hop and R&B of the 90’s and 2000’s was too sex forward. But a lot of black music seems to gravitate towards that thematic. Maybe because in this country, it was the only thing they could do that was making them feel equal, as their rights were stripped elsewhere. I kinda like that black music gets weird and “freaky”. Everyone tries to copy it without the authenticity. Like hearing Igor by Tyler, I don’t know if that could have existed if George Clinton didn’t step up and get weird with it. Would I say he probably was one of the most influential black musicians of all time without people realizing?? Yes.

Any true artist beats to their own drum and doesn’t compromise. Black musicians, like Zach said, have to be innovative and better than the white musicians. They have to do their own thing, and then white boys with guitars reap the benefits when they cop it." - Nick