1. FunkadelicOne Nation Under A Groove
I just think that Funkadelic were so fucking out there. When you watch some of the concerts that they did and they’d have a huge spaceship onstage with steam pouring out of it – it was hilarious, absolutely hilarious. Musically, they were really ahead of their time. One Nation Under A Groove was 30-odd years ago and I picked it as I really fell in love with the title track. It’s been used and sampled by a lot of people. All the choices I have made are albums that I think have influenced a lot of music.
I think George Clinton and Bootsy Collins were so inspirational and shaped future paths of music. It’s not necessarily obvious how it happened but their vibe seeped in and you realise when you listen to music that was made afterwards that it contains elements of Funkadelic. For me, I would then mix all of this influence in my head and that became ‘my’ music.
I heard a rumour once, which I’m sure is an urban myth, that George Clinton had a massive, passionate love affair with Doris Day. Picture it in your mind – Doris singing ‘Que Sera Sera’ and George with his massive dreadlocks. She had loads of dogs and I can just imagine him walking them, naked in nothing but a pair of wellies. [Laughs].
