Funkadelic - Maggot Brain FLAC download

I think the reactions/reviews here are not entirely correct.No problem, you can dislike the label. Be it for the stupid hipster name, or the general output of some classics which all have this "made cheap, quick and dirty" appeal. But to judge the sound of this release in a negative way is not honest.I do not know the "original" release, as it is far to expensive thanks to the still ongoing vinyl hype.By investigating the various YT-Versions - I came across mainly two mixes.One sounds very narrow, with a nearly monaural soundstage - could be that many people are used to listen to this version. The guitar in this version sounds quite different - more upfront and noteable more "nasty", but with a significant different articulation compared to the seemingly more "popular version".This 2nd mix is the same version that was used on the 4MWB release - seems many dubbed it the "2005 remaster" as it appears.It has a lot more wide/open soundstage, positioning the guitar in the opening track mostly a little to the right.Letdowns with this version are some rather "jumpy" stereo effects - you can hear them throughout the release. It is like somebody played with the panning a little too much, which seems odd here and there.The video with the most views (> 8 Mil.) presents this more "stereo like" version - and people love it. No one complains about it being the "wrong master". I did not read all of the comments of course.Some voices here said that the master for the 4MWB release was "brickwalled" to push the "louder is always better" effect.My recording of the vinyl does -not- reflect this in any way. Peak-dynamic readings are normal, not maximized in a noteable way. No cut off peaks or a straight top line wich indicates that all the volumes are maxed out. All YT-versions of this mix sound very alike.A CD-rip was maybe used, but quite surely played back via some analog outputs. The spectrum absolutely shows no signs of extremely sharp filter cuts - especially not the type that any mp3-file would produce. Plus - the recording engineer knew what he was doing to get this standard resolution master to the inital plate. Overall the release does not have the often "thin" sound of simple CD-2-analog-rips. There is very little going on over 16-17 KHz, but this is way enough to make your ears ring - except you consider yourself a bat of course.Noise floor is a littlebit raised - so there is a chance that the (digital) standard resolution master was first transferred to a tape - then this tape was used as the master for the cut.But that's just wild guessing of course - spectrum definitely shows no signs of some heavily compressed audio used for the cut.There are no distortion effects, skips or a totally unlistenable b-side on my (!) copy...and this was played back and recorded with some high quality equipment 4 sure.So my final conclusion: Sound is good - transfer is okay - technical production/pressing must be awful.*drumroll* Rainbo pressing! Dirty as usual. Mine looks like somebody jerked on it, "hazy" areas that will not disappear even after washing in a record cleaning machine (2 times ;) ). Lots of speckle, some scratchy groove effects. At last it is not off-centered. Someone get them a guy in quality control who knows what it means to output consistent quality pressings.But "general sound issues" - nope. Only if the drawback of some quite audible surface noise is to heavy for you...If you can find this cheap - get it and try not to concentrate on the clicks and pops. If you're a designated "audiophile", than this is not your cup of tea.It gets a 5 for the music without any question - 2 for the pressing/production quality. That sums up to a "normal, useful release" overall.Chances are that there are even worse pressed copies in existence - with Rainbo you always will have lots of fun. ;)After de-clicking & denoising my recording sounds very fine - took a hell lot of time - but it is okay since cleaning up awful pressings is something like a hobby to me. :DAs always jm2c of course.

One of the worst vinyl reissues I've heard. Definitely digitally sourced, possibly from 2005 remaster. Mixing and mastering is really awful. Album is brickwalled beyond belief. There's also lots of clipping and even some digital skips/glitches happening. I really don't have any positive things to say about this pressing.

As macko77 said, definitely not a disaster, sounds digital, but probably better than the 4 Men With Beards pressings. =/

I find this pressing to be better than most are saying about it. There is some surface noise associated with it and it is slightly warped, but it's nothing to right home about. The sound quality is quite good. People are saying that it is digitally sourced, but it does not sound like it to me. Has anyone confirmed this?

Why are people selling new crappy 4 men with beards pressings as this one? Check before you buy!

Is the cover on this version Gatefold or Unipak? No info listed.

This Columbia Pitman variation sounds fantastic, cut clean, full & loud. I tried listening to a re-issue some years back & finally coughed up for a clean OG. Boy, was it worth it...

Does anyone know if this uses the same stampers as the 1990 reissue?If so, Is it just that the pressing quality is bad on this reissue?Does anyone own a copy of this that doesn't sound bad and would like to clear things up.

Listened to a 90s Funkadelic reissue earlier in the week, it sounded really nice. I think these DMM digital tape reissues are the way to go for cheap and nice Funkadelic.

Yeah it's pretty confusing, this beezneez fellow has posted a review here and on the 1990 pressing, to me it looks like this is a repress of the 90s press that used the DMM tape which seems to get OK reviews. But then you get on here and there's two other people saying this pressing is terrible.I wish people would be absolutely sure of what pressing they have before they leave a comment.That's what's got me thinking maybe it's the pressing itself that's bad and not the master.

Maggot brain releases are confusing in general. I think the comments here probably are from people who own another pressing. Until someone states that they have the exact matrix numbers and stuff. Check the UK 90s release page. People hate it, except one guy who seems more certain that he actually has the correct version and thinks its great.These matrixes look promising, but the sellers can be equally confused. Ask for them to make sure before you buy, you dont want a 4MWB release.

Comment on soundquality anyone? As long as its not 4MWB it should be good I hope.

One of the worst pressings I have ever heard in my life, of anything, period! I often have people sound testing equipment and I'll be able to use it as an example of just how bad some modern pressings are. Completely unlistenable through a high end audiophile system. A - side is awful mastering but just listenable if you are used to MP3's. B side is a masterpiece of appalling mastering, the sort that leaves George Peckham turning in his grave. 4 Men with Beards should have recalled or stopped the press going ahead. I'm £15 lighter but the company have lost a customer and anyone else who I make contact with, the trust is lost. Yes it is THAT bad.

Were you not aware before purchase or did you just want to try? I also dont understand the MP3 comparison.

How come the promo has RE1 in the deadwax runouts?

This funk is what all funk should have been based on. Nothing wimpy. Everything.is hard and heavy. Its all on the ONE ! and then some.

Having tested this record against an original US copy, I have to say this pressing blew me away. It's almost like hearing the songs for the first time again. Maggot Brain has always been known (at least to me) as a slightly muddy record, similar to There's A Riot Goin' On by Sly & The Family Stone, but this German pressing is anything but. The guitars are crisp and clear, the harmonies are so smooth, and the rhythm section is heavy and fucking funky. If you can find this pressing, it's absolutely worth it.

I'll upload some pictures next chance I get. The easiest way to tell this one apart from the OG is that this one is NOT a gatefold and the text that's within the original gate is placed on the back of the sleeve.

Could you upload the label image. Its really hard to destinguish old vs new pressings.

I found this release magnificent for the music, presentation and sound quality. If only all other releases where this good...

I think you've got some other pressing, beezneez! This one sounds really good, dynamic, roomy and bassy, a nice clean pressing, no complaints at all.

hi only just seen this i got rid of it so cannot say which pressing it is for sure sorry

Ok, so I came here to see if this pressing really does sound like gargled ass juice or if it was just my copy, and according to everyone else this pressing sucks ass. WTF? This record has some of the worst sound mixing I've ever heard. Do. Not. Buy. This. Pressing!

ugh. another 4 men with beards reissue. can a real company put this record out? please? please?!

Changed my review. It's pretty distorted in comparison with an MP3!

i have this and its terrible, its like an mp3 pressed to vinyl avoid!

Yeah hes probably wrong release, wish he would answer so it could be cleared up.

Are you sure it's the 1990 version you have? a lot of the ones for sale on this listing are recent sealed repressings. I've got this 1990 pressing and UK 1971 on Janus and it's not too shabby at all.

i have this and its terrible, its like an mp3 pressed to vinyl avoid!

The original is as good as this album sounds. Incredibly trippy! Eddie Hazel's magnum opus!