Parliament Returns From a 38-Year Hiatus With Some Brand-New Funk: “I’m Gon Make U Sick O’Me”

Parliament has Funkateers back in full party mode with their funky new track “I’m Gon Make U Sick O’Me," which dropped on Jan. 15. The accompanying music video was unveiled on May 8. It’s the influential funk band’s first single in 38 years.

The deep funk groove is anchored by a phat, nasty Moog bass line served up by the late, great groove master Junie Morrison; the track boasts a powerful beat, smokin’ horns, creative synth vamps and sultry female background vocals from singer Nakid87 and music duo Kandy Apple Redd. George Clinton delivers a raw, gritty vocal performance, and he's “got that funk for your ass.”

The funk legend has said in interviews that the song is about drug companies and, in his view, their culpability in people becoming addicted to hard prescription drugs. The song’s character “Dr. Feel Good” symbolizes these companies: “I'm gon make you sick/I’m gon make you sick o’me/Then I’m gonna give you the antidote / Something to make you feel better.”

The track features guest appearances from veteran P-Funk vocalist Gary “Mudbone” Cooper and Scarface from famed rap group the Geto Boys. “I’m Gon Make U Sick O’Me” is the lead single from Parliament’s new album, Medicaid Fraud Dog, which was released today.

Throughout most of the 1970s, Parliament-Funkadelic were the baddest, funkiest and most innovative funk outfit in the game. The legendary groove collective was at the vanguard of the funk scene, setting trends and out-funking all comers. Parliament was the more straight-forward funk and R&B side of P-Funk, whereas Funkadelic mixed rock with its funk, continuing what funk-rock pioneers Sly & the Family Stone and  Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys had set off a couple of years earlier.

Parliament’s last single "Agony of DeFeet,” was released in 1980 and was a track from their album Trombipulation. The band then went on a long hiatus following legal woes arising from Polygram’s acquisition of Parliament’s label Casablanca, which forced the band to abandon its name; nonetheless, P-Funk continued to makes its presence felt in the ensuing years through several different avenues, including George Clinton’s solo work; the P-Funk Allstars; four Funkadelic albums; and myriad other P-Funk-related projects.

 It’s cool to finally have Parliament back in the mix after a near 40-year absence. And Funkateers worldwide are no doubt celebrating their return. It’s once again truly One Nation Under a Groove.


 
"I’m Gon Make U Sick O’Me” at Amazon