Funkadelic - Let's Take it to the Stage

Despite its misleading title, Funkadelic's LET'S TAKE IT TO THE STAGE is not a live album. This 1975 studio release is what many Funkadelic aficionados consider the band's last true rock-funk album, before Clinton and Co. concentrated entirely on more dance-based and radio-friendly material. It is also the first Parliament-Funkadelic release to prominently feature the talents of the outrageous Bootsy Collins, who many regard as the very embodiment of funk. LET'S TAKE IT TO THE STAGE also finds Parliament-Funkadelic on the verge of shedding their long-lived cult status and finally reaching widespread commercial success.

The title track, in which shots are taken at other popular '70s funk figures (such as Sly and even the Godfather of Soul, James Brown), gloriously displays the band's sense of humor. So do the sexually suggestive "No Head No Backstage Pass" and the album's party-anthem highlight, "Get Off Your Ass And Jam." Other top funk workouts include "Stuffs & Things," "Better By The Pound," "Good To Your Earhole," the more serene "Be My Beach," and the album-closing, largely instrumental "Atmosphere." LET'S TAKE IT TO THE STAGE continues Funkadelic's winning '70s streak.