Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Digging the Skin He's In



Parliament : Rumpofsteelskin


On November 20, 1978 Parliament released Motor Booty Affairr, said to be George Clinton's favorite Parliament album. In retrospect, it seems to be a step backwards into some kind of underwater cartoon concept that doesn't have the consistency of  1977's Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome, 1976's The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein or 1975's Mothership Connection.  



The highlights include "Aqua Boogie", which spent four weeks at #1 on the R+B singles chart, and "Rumpofsteelskin". Both are playful, hip and deeply funky. Bootsy Collins never stops pluckin the funk out of the bass.


Said Robert Christgau in his A- review :

A kiddie record that features the return of the Chipmunks as "three slithering idiots" doing their thing underwater. Irresistible at its most inspired--aqua-DJ Wiggles the Worm is my favorite Clinton fantasy ever--and danceable at its more pro forma.

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