Parliament

High Quality, 45 Rpm, Special Edition
“Do not attempt to adjust your radio.” The instruction that begins Parliament’s Mothership Connection prepares you for an ecstatic journey and establishes the setting for a cosmic trip into galaxies populated with galactic grooves, joyous vibes, cheeky humor, and streetwise slang. This is nearly 39 minutes of some of the best, sweatiest, most enthusiastic funk devised — all laid down by an all-star band bolstered by Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley, and Maceo Parker. A perfect storm of creativity, chemistry, and composition overseen by leader George Clinton, the 1975 effort ties together Parliament’s then-burgeoning blend of bulbous funk, psychedelic soul, rule-breaking rock, science-fiction fantasy, and Afrofuturism themes in seamless fashion. Having spawned three iconic singles, the record later proved a massive influence on the West Coast hip-hop movement that swept through popular culture in the ‘90s.

Sourced from the original analog master tapes, pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing, and housed in a Stoughton gatefold jacket, Mobile Fidelity’s numbered-edition 180g 45RPM 2LP presents Mothership Connection in audiophile sound for the first time. Parliament’s benchmark benefits from the wide groove space by playing with tauter bass, enhanced definition, and more realistic presence than prior editions. Everything from the brassiness of the horns to the crisp slap of the snare to the fleshy snap of handclaps comes across in full-range perspective. On this reissue, the band’s dynamics, hooks, and hip-shaking verve practically explode. No matter where you turn, Mothership Connection grabs and holds your attention. A whole lotta rhythm goin’ ‘round, indeed.