Maroon was a hip hop duo formed by Chicago native Will E.P., born William Pflaum, and Michigan-raised, Argentine-American MK Chilly Dog, aka Martin Kierszenbaum, in 1985 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Recorded in dorm rooms and basements in and around the University of Michigan, Maroon released their full-length debut album in late 1987 (original white label) and early 1988 (cover art version) on their own Arb Recordings imprint. It was greeted with critical acclaim and praised for its contribution to the early hip hop scene by The Village Voice, CMJ, Cashbox and the Detroit Free Press. "The Funky Record" was named one of the top albums of 1988 on noted music critic Robert Christgau's year-end list, receiving a higher review rating than Boogie Down Productions, RUN-DMC and Ice-T.

Following the warm reception to its full length debut, Maroon released a double-A side 12" single, "I Ain't Runnin' for Pope"/"Let the Music Take You Higher" followed by a Spanish version, "Que la Música te Eleve" which the duo performed on the Univisión and Galavisión networks.

2018 marks the 30th year since the release of Maroon's "The Funky Record" and to commemorate the anniversary, on April 27th, Cherrytree Records is issuing a remastered edition featuring a bonus collection of Maroon's subsequent singles, remixes and previously unreleased material plus a brand new song, "Time Bomb," recorded in 2018.

All of Maroon's music was produced and mixed by a teenage Martin Kierszenbaum who went on to become producer for Lady Gaga, Sting, Robyn, t.A.T.u. and Far East Movement. Martin produced and played all instruments on new single "Time Bomb" which was mixed by Robert "Hitmixer" Orton. "The Funky Record - Special Edition" was mastered by Tony Lake and Gene Grimaldi.

Liner notes for the Special Edition digital booklet have been written by Paul Rosenberg, Chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings as well as original, contributing musician Dave "The Giffer" Corradi, MC Danny Whitebread and engineer Dave "Stickman" Zald. Also included is a letter from Will E.P. that describes the unusual history of Maroon.

Select original press clippings:

The Funky Record Special Edition

Digital double album


Disc 1
Fresher Than This
Baddest and the Hippest
Stupid Cool
Mugs Go Down
Slimy Rat
Chattin'
Squirrels D.'s on Deck
Steppin' with Squirrely D.
Scrambled Eggs
Cookin'
You Look Good
Danny Whitebread
Red, White and Blue
We're Down
Stan (Das Yo' Ass)
The Subject of This Rap (previously unreleased original demo)


Disc 2
Time Bomb (previously unreleased new song)
Let the Music Take You Higher
Que la Música te Eleve
I Ain't Runnin' for Pope
Posse in Effect (Banda en Acción)
Beso
El Farmacéutico
Let the Music Take You Higher (Extended Version)
I Ain't Runnin' for Pope (Extended Version)
Nitrogen
Back to the Old School

Brand New Single "Time Bomb"

CLIPS