The Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Uplift Mofo Party Plan – Vinyl LP

The third studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 29, 1987. This album holds a special place in the band’s history as it’s the only one featuring all four founding members—Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Hillel Slovak, and Jack Irons—on every track. It’s a wild ride of funk rock with hints of punk, reggae, and even some metal vibes, showcasing the band’s signature chaotic energy and evolving sound.
The album came out of a turbulent time for the Peppers. Kiedis was battling heroin addiction, which disrupted the recording process, while the reunion of the original lineup brought a raw, celebratory edge to the music. Tracks like “Fight Like a Brave” reflect Kiedis’ struggle with sobriety, and “Behind the Sun” shows off Slovak’s melodic genius with its layered guitars and sitar flourishes. “Me and My Friends” is a fan favorite, a funky tribute to their bond that’s stayed in their live sets for years. It peaked at number 148 on the Billboard 200 and eventually went gold—modest compared to their later success, but a big step up from their earlier work.
Tragically, it was the last album with Slovak, who died of a heroin overdose in 1988, and the only full-length with Irons, who left soon after, unable to cope with the loss. It’s a snapshot of a band on the cusp of something huge, rough around the edges but brimming with potential.