My Favourite Album - Sola Rosa

Gigantic is passionate about music and we love to connect with those that share our love. On this special edition of My Favourite Album, we are joined by innovative genre-blending songwriter and producer Sola Rosa.

New Zealand musician Andrew Spraggan began his exciting experimental work as Sola Rosa in 1999, infusing funk, soul and jazz with electronic beats creating the fresh sound guaranteed to get the party started!

His glittering career has seen him tour the world, receiving accolades and awards wherever he goes. The past two decades have seen his albums hit No. 1 on iTunes and the IMZN Music Charts plus he has received multiple bNet and VNZMA nominations and awards for Best Electronica Album, Best Independent Release, Best Producer and Best Dance/Electronic Album.

This month sees the return of Sola Rosa with an eagerly awaited brand new album ‘Chasing The Sun’. The culmination of five years work, this latest LP sees Spraggan team up with an impressive list of collaborators including Kevin Mark Trail, Kiko Bun, Basement Jaxx vocalist Sharlene Hector, Josh Barry, Jerome Thomas and Eva Lazarus.

‘Chasing The Sun’ is released via his own Way Up Recordings label through Kartel Music Group on 25^th September. CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy on Limited Edition Double Vinyl in a gloss gatefold jacket.

What Is It?

Funkadelic – ‘Maggot Brain’

When Was It Released?

July 1971 on Westbound Records

Where Did You First Hear It?

I was living by myself in an apartment on Auckland’s notorious Karangahape Rd, I was working as a bar tender and my brother was in the next apartment over. He had a massive record collection and in that collection was this Funkadelic record. I was probably attracted to it by the freaky cover art. This was around 1995. I remember I had this basic Akai sampler that could sample about 5 seconds of music and I’d sample breaks from it and that was my first experience of proper sampling.

What Does It Mean To You?

I was playing in an indie band and had been for many years but had just discovered this raucous psychedelic fuzztone funk. Funkadelic was a turning point for me which led me down a wonderful rabbit hole - James Brown, Parliament, Marvin Gaye etc. From there I started getting into artists like David Holmes, DJ Shadow and Howie B and labels like Mo Wax and Ninja Tune, also the Dope On Plastic series. I was hooked!

Talk Us Through Your Favourite Songs And Lyrics On The Album 

‘Maggot Brain’

This one is more or less an instrumental intro. I just love the how it starts of so gentle and slowly builds with all the psychedelic fuzz-tone guitar floating from speaker to speaker. Eddie Hazel is one of the guitar greats for me.

‘Can You Get To That’

This one has a very Sly and the Family Stone feel about it. I just love the simplicity of the groove and the lyrics.

Life had me
I was one among many
Or at least I seemed to be
Well, I read an old quotation in a book just yesterday
Said "Gonna reap just what you sow,
The debts you make you have to pay."
Can you get to that?

Can you get (I want to know)
I want to know if you can get to that (hey!) (get to that!)
Can you get (can you get to that) (I want to know)
I want to know if you can get to that

I recollect with a-mixed emotions
All the good times we used to have
But you were making preparations
For the coming separation
And you blew everything we had

When you base your love on credit
And your loving days are done
Checks you signed with a-love and kisses
Later come back signed "insufficient funds"
Yeah, get to that!

Can you get (I want to know)
I want to know if you can get to that (hey!) (get to that!)
Can you get (can you get to that) (I want to know)
I want to know if you can get to that

When you base your life on credit
And your loving days are done
Checks you signed with love and kisses
Later come back signed "insufficient funds"
Y'all get to that

Can you get (I want to know)
I want to know if you can get to that (hey!) (get to that!)
Can you get (can you get to that) (I want to know)
I want to know if you can get to that

‘Hit It and Quit It’

The lyrics to this one are nothing special, Funkadelic have better lyrics however the riff on this track gives you that screwed up funk face up and the groove is so badass!

I want you to hit it
Good god, hit it and quit it
I want you to
Oh mama, hit it
Good god, hit it and quit it
I want you to, oh, oh yeah
Oh mama, hit it
Good god, hit it and quit it
I want you to, ooh

You can shake it to the east
Shake it to the west
Hit it
Good god, hit it and quit it
Yeah, all up and down
And move it all around
Hit it
Good god, hit it and quit it
Yeah

You can shake it for dinner
Or you could spread it all around
Hit it
Good god, hit and quit it

I want you to hit it and quit it

You can shake it to the east
Shake it to the west
Hit it
Good god, hit it and quit it
You can shake it to the one you love the best
Hit it
Ha, hit it and quit it
Ah, good god, hit it and quit it
Ooh, good god, hit it and quit it
Oh, good god, hit it and quit it
Quit it, quit it, quit it

Ok play that down from the top

‘Super Stupid’

Again, this one is all about the groove which is so heavy and funky at the same time. Good lord!! Lyrically its simple but philosophical. 

Super stupid bought a nickel bag
Thought it was coke, but it was skag
Super stupid did a one and one
Then his eyes begin to water and his nose begin to run

Oh! stupid with your ups and downs
Your maggot brain, your grins and frowns
Super stupid you're here today
You've lost the fight and the winner is fear

Did-did-did did-um

Whoa, hey

Anything Else You Want To Add?

I just wish I was alive back then so I could have seen them perform. I was 1 year old when this album came out. Incredible band and still far out in the most fantastic way! George Clinton was way ahead of his time.