For those unaware, Mobile Fidelity presents the 1975 funk milestone in Audiophile Sound for its 50th Anniversary: 180g 45rpm 2LP plays with Intoxicating Definition, Immediacy, and Clarity.

“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, 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 responsible for what Rolling Stone named the 363rd Greatest Album of All Time.

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.

Making its debut on 45rpm, 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.

This collectible 50th anniversary reissue of the 1975 set exhibits a combination of transparency, solidity, and imaging that brings into clear view every note Parliament committed to tape at United Sound in Detroit and Hollywood Sound in California.

On this pressing, the dynamics, hooks, and hip-shaking verve of Mothership Connection practically explode. Important facets such as the bountiful depth of the bass lines to the brassy purity of the horns to the distinctive textures of the various keyboards comes across with immersive realism.

Side One:
1. P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)

Side Two:
2. Mothership Connection (Star Child)
3. Unfunky UFO

Side Three: 4. Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication
5. Handcuffs

Side Four:
6. Give up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)
7. Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples

The seminal 1975 P-funk release, Mothership Connection, was the first George Clinton album to feature Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, who had recently left James Brown’s backing band, The J.B.’s.

Widely regarded as one of Parliament’s best, Mothership Connection was the first P-Funk mythology concept album, introducing fictional characters and themes which would remain central to George Clinton’s work over the next decade.

Personally I think Mothership stands high in the critical and mainstream world because it was the first to deliver that definitive P-Funk sound of Moog synth, Sci-fi concept, Mu-Tron bass, Horny Horns, etc. and which seemed so unique and groundbreaking at the time.

In fact, the album was influential in shaping the sound of P-Funk, and indeed Hip Hop, with Dr Dre sampling both Mothership Connection (Star Child) and P Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) on his legendary 1992 album, The Chronic.

As we all now know, George Clinton made a type of funk that is explicitly a character of the genre. It is exaggerated compared to the likes of Curtis Mayfield and Sly & The Family Stone. Parliament brings phatter beats, wonkier bass, and an explosive personality to the vocals. It is just so good!

Of course, we have to pay respect to Bootsy Collins in the band for bringing awesome bass skills to this funk. This carries over from his significant work with James Brown, making for a truly funky sound.

I can hear everything from the Commodores to Bruno Mars in this album. A little too decadent at times but some cool stuff. I found myself laughing at the storyline and personas within P-Funk (like listening to the Ladies Man narrate a song). But sometimes that got annoying later in the album.

The underlying beats on both Mothership Connection and Unfunky UFO are super cool. Sometimes it felt like the album blended together too much, but I wonder if he/they were going for seamless transition of tracks in the first place.

Thump, thump, thump. A whole lotta rhythm goin’ ‘round, indeed.

Record One, Sides One/Two: 1/4” 30 IPS analog master to DSD 256 to analog console
Record Two, Sides Three/Four: 1/4” 15 IPS analog master to DSD 256 to analog console

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