Independent Lens . PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC: One Nation Under a Groove . The Album Art

Music wasn’t the only creative vehicle present in P-Funk albums. The cover art illustrations were as groundbreaking and provocative as the songs themselves, often following—and defining—the band’s famed concepts and mythologies. The inside liner notes also contained visually artistic surprises, such as illustrated sketches for each song concept and original cartoon work featuring notable P-Funk characters such as Sir Nose and Star Child. Four different artists designed the majority of the P-Funk album covers, individually as well as collectively:

Illustration of an otherworldly green figure sitting at a keyboard and playing with three hands: the third coming out of its mouth from between its front teeth. All kinds of colorful creatures surround him; a woman is a prominent figure and letters spelling Funkadelic go vertically down the right side.

Insert from Funkadelic: Let's Take it To the Stage (1975)

Pedro Bell
Perhaps the best-known P-Funk artist, Bell and his distinctive style were responsible for illustrating Funkadelic classics such as Cosmic Slop, Tales of Kidd Funkadelic, One Nation Under A Groove, Hardcore Jollies and Uncle Jam Wants You, as well as more recent solo albums for George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars. Bell also pioneered the song illustrations that would accompany P-Funk liner notes.

A man in an ornate coat with pointed hood wears big sunglasses and a smile as he stands back to back with a man in a similar outfit, with a thought bubble and Sir Nose DaVoid of Funk in the bubble. Sir Nose has a long nose and big hat. Two other men, one in a cloak with wings holding a ray gun, the other in a fur jacket and hat, are on his right.

Insert from Parliament: Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome (197)

Overton Loyd (O-Dog)
Also known as “O-Dog,” Loyd’s art included Parliament albums Motor Booty Affair and Gloryhallastoopid, as well as a handful of P-Funk singles and solo projects for musicians such as Bootsy Collins and Fuzzy Haskins. His illustrations also included band cartoons and an animated short that was played during P-Funk concerts.

Cartoon drawing of Funkadelic band members with George Clinton in the center surrounded by characters playing instruments. One hangs on a rope, a couple of women dance and two others fly in on a spaceship.

Funkadelic: The Best of the Early Years, Vol. 1 (1977)

Ronald P. Edwards (Stozo)
Nicknamed “Stozo,” Edwards’s art graced albums by the P-Funk All Stars, George Clinton, Fuzzy Haskins, the Horny Horns and the 1977 Funkadelic compilation The Best of the Early Years. Edwards also illustrated covers for artists such as Fishbone and Oran “Juice” Jones.

Photo of a militant-looking man in a green uniform and red beret wearing white platform boots sitting in a large round-backed wicker chair, a cigarette in his mouth as he holds up one finger. By his side stands an enormous flashlight and on his other side a large “bop” gun.

Funkadelic: Uncle Jam Wants You (1979)

Diem Jones
Jones’s P-Funk art credits include tour posters and covers for Fuzzy Haskins, Bernie Worrell and Bootsy Collins, as well as the P-Funk All Stars. He also contributed photography, design and art direction for P-Funk materials during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Clinton on Uncle Jam Wants You is one of his most noted photos.

View a slide show of P-Funk album covers >>

Sources

top


	Home \| The Film \| The Band \| The History \| The Music \| Filmmaker Bios \| Filmmaker Q&A \| Learn More \| Talkback \| Site Credits