First performed by Eddie Hazel on stage with Funkadelic in the early 1970s

This arrangement: 2003

Length: 7 minutes

Orchestration: Solo electric violin, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, 4 saxophones, bassoon, 2 guitars, pedal harp, piano, electric bass, drum kit, percussion, and strings that can rock

P-Funk is the water from where hip hop gets its life, especially here on the West Coast. For our dedication to Funkadelic, we bring this sacred prayer from Eddie Hazel, disguised as a violin concerto. Not just anyone can play "Maggot Brain" - you have to earn it. Like Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," there is much more involved than picking up your instrument and reproducing the pitches. Our soloist, Lili Haydn, has been performing this piece live with George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars for some time now.

-- Double G

Further listening: Anything ever recorded by
Funkadelic