Parliament | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Inspired by Motowns assembly line of sound, George Clinton gradually put together a collective of over 50 musicians and recorded the ensemble during the 70s both as Parliament and Funkadelic. While Funkadelic pursued band-format psychedelic rock, Parliament engaged in a funk free-for-all, blending influences from the godfathers (James Brown and Sly Stone) with freaky costumes and themes inspired by 60s acid culture and science fiction. From Parliaments 1970 inception until Clintons dissolving of the band in 1980, they hit the R&B; Top Ten with funk classics such as "Up for the Down Stroke," "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk)," "Flast Light," and "Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)." They truly excelled in two other areas: effective album statements, including the platinum releases Mothership Connection and Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome (1977), and the most dazzling, extravagant live show in the business. After Clinton fused his concepts for P-Funk All Stars, he revitalized them separately in the 2010s, first with an album from Funkadelic and then one with Parliament, Medicaid Fraud Dogg (2018). By the time his on-the-move family settled in New Jersey during the early 50s, George Clinton (born in 1941 in Kannapolis, North Carolina) became interested in doo wop, which was just beginning to explode in the New York-metro area. Basing his group on Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, Clinton formed the Parliaments in 1955 with a line-up that gradually shifted to include Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins, Grady Thomas, Raymond Davis, and Calvin Simon. Based out of a barbershop backroom where Clinton straightened hair, the Parliaments released only two singles during the next ten years, but frequent mid-60s trips to Detroit -- where Clinton began working as a songwriter and producer -- eventually paid off their investment. After finding a hit with the 1967 single "(I Wanna) Testify," the Parliaments ran into trouble with Revilot Records and refused to record any new material. Instead of waiting for a settlement, Clinton decided to record the same band under a new name: Funkadelic. Founded in 1968, the group began life as a smokescreen, claiming as its only members the Parliaments backing band -- guitarist Eddie Hazel, bassist Billy Nelson, rhythm guitarist Lucius "Tawl" Ross, drummer Ramon "Tiki" Fulwood, and organist Mickey Atkins -- but in truth including Clinton and the rest of the former Parliaments lineup. Revilot folded not long after, with the labels existing contracts sold to Atlantic; Clinton, however, decided to abandon the Parliaments name rather than record for the major label. One previously recorded Parliaments single, "A New Day Begins," was licensed to Atco in 1969 and became a number 44 hit that May. By 1970, Clinton had regained the rights to the Parliaments name; he then signed the entire Funkadelic lineup to Invictus Records as Parliament. The group released one album -- 1970s Osmium -- and scored a number 30 hit, "Breakdown," on the R&B; chart in 1971. With Funkadelic firing on all cylinders, however, Clinton decided to discontinue Parliament (the name, not the band) for the time being. Though keyboard player Bernie Worrell had played on the original Funkadelic album, his first credit with the conglomeration appeared on Funkadelics second album, 1970s Free Your Mind...And Your Ass Will Follow. Clinton and Worrell had known each other since the New Jersey barbershop days, and Worrell soon became the most crucial cog in the P-Funk machine, working on arrangements and production for virtually all later Parliament/Funkadelic releases. His strict upbringing and classical training (at the New England Conservatory and Juilliard), as well as the boom in synthesizer technology during the early 70s, gave him the tools to create the synth runs and horn arrangements that later trademarked the P-Funk sound. Two years after the addition of Worrell, P-Funk added its second most famed contributor, Bootsy Collins. The muscular, throbbing bassline of Collins had already been featured in James Browns backing band (the J.B.s) along with his brother, guitarist Catfish Collins. Bootsy and Catfish were playing in a Detroit band when George Clinton saw and hired them. Funkadelic released five albums from 1970 through early 1974, and consistently hit the lower reaches of the R&B; chart, but the collective pulled up stakes later in 1974 and began recording as Parliament. Signing with the Casablanca label, Parliaments "Up for the Down Stroke" (number ten R&B;, number 63 pop) appeared in mid-1974 and reflected a more mainstream approach than Funkadelic, with funky horn arrangements reminiscent of James Brown and a live feel that recalls contemporary work by Kool & the Gang. It became the biggest hit yet for the Parliament/Funkadelic congregation. "Testify," a revamped version of the Parliaments 1967 hit, also charted in 1974. One year later, Chocolate City continued Parliaments success: the title track reached number 24 R&B;, and "Ride On" also charted. Clinton & co. ushered in 1976 with the April release of the third Parliament LP in as many years: Mothership Connection. Arguably the peak of Parliaments power, the album made number 13 on the pop chart and went platinum, sparked by three hit singles: "P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)" (number 33 R&B;), "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk)" (number five R&B;, number 15 pop), and "Star Child" (number 26 R&B;). In addition to Bootsy Collins, the album featured two other James Brown refugees: horn legends Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley. Just six months after the release of Mothership Connection, Clinton had another Parliament album in the can, The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein. Though it only reached gold status, the LP spawned the number 22 R&B; hit "Do That Stuff" and the number 43 "Dr. Funkenstein." Several internal squabbles in 1977 apparently didnt phase Clinton at all; the following year proved to be the most successful in Parliaments history. In January, "Flash Light" -- from the Parliament album Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome -- became the collectives first number one hit. It topped the R&B; chart for three weeks, and was followed by the number 27 single, "Funkentelechy." The LP reached number 13 on the pop chart and became Parliaments second platinum album. Early in 1979, Parliament hit number one yet again with "Aquaboogie," from its eighth album, Motor Booty Affair. The LP, which reached number 23, became the groups fifth consecutive album to go gold or better. Parliaments ninth album, Gloryhallastoopid (Or Pin the Tale on the Funky), was released later in 1979. The group charted in the R&B; Top Ten twice during 1980 ("Theme From The Black Hole" and "Agony of Defeet"), but Clinton began to be weighed down that year by legal difficulties arising from Polygrams acquisition of Casablanca. Jettisoning both the Parliament and Funkadelic names (but not the musicians), Clinton began his solo career with 1982s Computer Games. He and many former Parliament/Funkadelic members continued to tour and record during the 80s as the P-Funk All Stars, but the decades disdain of everything from the 70s resulted in the neglect of critical and commercial opinion for the worlds biggest funk band, especially one which in part had spawned the sound of disco. During the early 90s, the rise of funk-inspired rap (courtesy of Digital Underground, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Warren G., among others) and funk rock (Primus and Red Hot Chili Peppers) re-established the status of Clinton & co., one of the most important forces in the recent history of black music. Funkadelic reactivated for the 2014 album First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate. Parliament, topical as ever, followed suit four years later with Medicaid Fraud Dogg, which took aim at the pharmaceutical industry. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 25 Title: ICON Released: Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:10:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (07:42) 2 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:47) 3 Flash Light (05:49) 4 Dr. Funkenstein (05:46) 5 Up for the Down Stroke (05:10) 6 Chocolate City (05:38) 7 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (08:32) 8 Testify (03:47) 9 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (06:41) 10 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (06:13) 11 Do That Stuff (04:49) 12 Agony of Defeat (04:25) |
| ICON : Allmusic album Review : Parliament have more great tunes than you can shake several sticks at, so its hard to imagine only wanting a single discs worth. But if thats the mandate and you couldnt care less about liner notes or credits, Icon is probably the way to go. Its got bare-bones packaging but its chock-full of prime funk and you cant beat the budget price. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 25 Title: Osmium Released: 1970 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:19:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Call My Baby Pussycat (04:27) 2 Put Love in Your Life (05:06) 3 Little Ole Country Boy (03:58) 4 Moonshine Heather (04:07) 5 Oh Lord, Why Lord/Prayer (04:59) 6 My Automobile (04:47) 7 Nothing Before Me but Thang (03:56) 8 Funky Woman (02:58) 9 Livin’ the Life (06:18) 10 The Silent Boatman (05:53) 11 Red Hot Mama (04:25) 12 Breakdown (03:50) 13 Come in Out of the Rain (02:43) 14 Fantasy Is Reality (03:56) 15 Unfinished Instrumental (05:10) 16 Loose Booty (10:17) 17 Breakdown (mono 45 version) (02:32) |
| Osmium : Allmusic album Review : The first Parliament album as such was a mixed-up mess of an affair -- but would anyone expect anything less? The overall sound is much more Funkadelic than later Parliament, if with a somewhat more accessible feel. Things get going with an appropriately leering start, thanks to "I Call My Baby Pussycat," which makes something like "Whats New, Pussycat?" seem like innocent, chaste conversation. After a stripped-down start, things explode into a full-on funk strut with heavy-duty guitar and slamming drums setting the way, while the singers sound like theyre tripping without losing the soul -- sudden music dropouts, vocal cut-ins, volume level tweaks, and more add to the off-kilter feeling. Osmiums sound progresses from there -- its funks fire combined with a studio freedom that feels like a blueprint for the future. Bernie Worrells keyboard abilities are already clear, whether hes trying for hotel lounge jams or full freakiness; similarly, Eddie Hazel is clearly finding his own epic stoned zone to peel out some amazing solos at the drop of a hat. As for the subject matter and end results -- who else but this crew could have come up with the trash-talking, yodeling twang of "Little Ole Country Boy" in 1970 and still made it funky with all the steel guitar? Other fun times include the piano and vocal-into-full-band goofy romantic romp of "My Automobile" and "Funky Woman," where over a heavy groove (and goofy Worrell break) the titular character lives with the consequence of her stank: "She hung them in the air/The air said this aint fair!" Amidst all the nuttiness, there are some perhaps surprising depths -- consider "Oh Lord, Why Lord/Prayer," which might almost be too pretty for its own good (Worrells harpsichord almost verges on the sickly sweet) but still has some lovely gospel choir singing and heartfelt lyrics. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 25 Title: Up for the Down Stroke Released: 1974 Tracks: 8 Duration: 40:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Up for the Down Stroke (05:10) 2 Testify (03:49) 3 The Goose (09:13) 4 I Can Move You (If You Let Me) (02:47) 5 I Just Got Back (04:33) 6 All Your Goodies Are Gone (05:06) 7 Whatever Makes Baby Feel Good (06:01) 8 Presence of a Brain (03:19) |
| Up for the Down Stroke : Allmusic album Review : Kicking off with one of prime funks purest distillations -- the outrageously great title track, with a perfect party chorus line and uncredited horns (presumably the Horny Horns were involved somehow) adding to the monster beat and bass -- Up for the Down Stroke finds Parliament in rude good health. As was more or less the case through the 70s, Parliament took a slightly more listener-friendly turn here than they did as Funkadelic, but often its a difference by degrees. Just listening to some of Bernie Worrells insane keyboard parts or Bootsy Collins bass work here is enough to wake the dead. As always, Worrell in particular can suddenly surprise with his delicacy -- the soft, understated flow of "I Just Got Back" may have lyrics that could be sung by Jon Anderson, at least at points, but the piano lines have subtle, dreamy grace, the antithesis of Rick Wakemans masturbations. For that matter, Peter Chases whistles are downright delightful, goofy, and sweet all at once. Slightly more oddball is "All Your Goodies Are Gone," which has a bit more upfront bite and some downright strange lyrics, delivered with a stoned, breathless tone and backed by unearthly choir arrangements. Eddie Hazel is still listed as present and contributing, though unfortunately not for long after, with Ron Bykowski, Gary Shider, and William Nelson also chipping in as needed. Hazel co-writes two of the songs; its a pity "The Goose" runs out of steam toward the midpoint of its nine minutes, but it makes for pleasant background music if not Parliament at its unfettered best. In the meantime, Clinton and various familiar voices like Fuzzy Haskins and Grady Thomas keep the weird wigginess of the lyrics flowing. In a nod to the groups past, "(I Wanna) Testify," here simply called "Testify," gets a 1974-era work over. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 25 Title: Mothership Connection Released: 1975 Tracks: 8 Duration: 41:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (07:41) 2 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (06:14) 3 Unfunky UFO (04:24) 4 Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication (05:04) 5 Handcuffs (04:03) 6 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:47) 7 Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples (05:10) 8 Star Child (Mothership Connection) (promo radio version) (03:08) |
| Mothership Connection : Allmusic album Review : The definitive Parliament-Funkadelic album, Mothership Connection is where George Clintons revolving band lineups, differing musical approaches, and increasingly thematic album statements reached an ideal state, one that resulted in enormous commercial success as well as a timeless legacy that would be compounded by hip-hop postmodernists, most memorably Dr. Dre on his landmark album The Chronic (1992). The musical lineup assembled for Mothership Connection is peerless: in addition to keyboard wizard Bernie Worrell; Bootsy Collins, who plays not only bass but also drums and guitar; the guitar trio of Gary Shider, Michael Hampton, and Glen Goins; and the Brecker Brothers (Michael and Randy) on horns; there are former J.B.s Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker (also on horns), who were the latest additions to the P-Funk stable. Besides the dazzling array of musicians, Mothership Connection boasts a trio of hands-down classics -- "P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)," "Mothership Connection (Star Child)," "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)" -- that are among the best to ever arise from the funk era, each sampled and interpolated time and time again by rap producers; in particular, Dr. Dre pays homage to the former two on The Chronic (on "The Roach" and "Let Me Ride," respectively). The remaining four songs on Mothership Connection are all great also, if less canonical. Lastly, theres the overlapping outer-space theme, which ties the album together into a loose escapist narrative. Theres no better starting point in the enormous P-Funk catalog than Mothership Connection, which, like its trio of classic songs, is undoubtedly among the best of the funk era. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 25 Title: Chocolate City Released: 1975 Tracks: 9 Duration: 37:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Chocolate City (05:39) 2 Ride On (03:37) 3 Together (04:10) 4 Side Effects (03:16) 5 What Comes Funky (02:25) 6 Let Me Be (05:40) 7 If It Dont Fit (Dont Force It) (02:10) 8 I Misjudged You (05:17) 9 Big Footin (04:50) |
| Chocolate City : Allmusic album Review : Parliaments second album for Casablanca, following Up for the Down Stroke (1974), Chocolate City isnt one of the groups better-known albums. Unlike its predecessor and successive albums such as Mothership Connection (1976), it lacks a signature hit; even though the title track and "Ride On" charted as singles, theyre minor in comparison to definitive classics such as "Up for the Down Stroke" and "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)." Though its not one of the better-known Parliament albums, Chocolate City is nonetheless one of their best and perhaps most underrated. Theres a wealth of musical talent to be heard here -- most notably Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, and Eddie Hazel -- and an emphasis on horns and harmony vocals. Plus, theres no overarching narrative as there would be on successive albums, occasionally to a fault. Instead, this is a collection of stand-alone songs, none topping the six-minute mark. Regardless of its lack of signature hits, Chocolate City is a Parliament album that shouldnt be overlooked. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 25 Title: The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein Released: 1976-09 Tracks: 9 Duration: 40:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Prelude (01:40) 2 Gamin on Ya (03:01) 3 Dr. Funkenstein (05:46) 4 Children of Production (03:57) 5 Getten to Know You (05:19) 6 Do That Stuff (04:49) 7 Everything Is on the One (03:47) 8 Ive Been Watching You (Move Your Sexy Body) (06:01) 9 Funkin for Fun (05:56) |
| The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein : Allmusic album Review : Come 1976, and Parliament got up to its usual tricks in that particular incarnation -- right down to opening backwards-masked vocal weirdness plus sci-fi scenarios in the "Prelude," where "funk is its own reward." With Bernie Worrell and Fred Wesley splitting the horn arrangements and Clinton and Bootsy Collins taking care of the rest, the result is a concept album of sorts you can dance to. The clones get up and do their thing throughout, and if its not The Wall, then thats all to its benefit. The immediate downside of Clones is that its a fairly one-note record -- every groove can just about be exchanged for any other one, unlike the wider variety apparent on other releases. Given Clinton and companys sheer work rate, something likely had to give and this is one of the stress points. There are a couple of stronger songs -- "Ive Been Watching You (Move Your Sexy Body)" is classic slow jam territory. Not exactly Barry White, but hearing Parliament tone it down just enough pays off, especially with Worrells drowsy, sensuous horn charts. "Funkin for Fun," meanwhile, brings the album to a strong, lively end, with just enough in the call-and-response vocals and horns to spark some extra energy into the proceedings. As is the case with most mid- to late-70s Parliament, things may not be as deep as what was done as Funkadelic, but only those who always explicitly value lyrical worth have any cause to complain. Listening to the silly squeals and burbles on "Dr. Funkenstein" itself is pure fun with sound, while the good doctors speech is scientific craziness. As one voice says out of nowhere, "Kiss me on my ego!" Special bonus -- the utterly goofball cover photo, one of P-Funks best. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 25 Title: Live: P.Funk Earth Tour Released: 1977 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:16:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (06:13) 2 Dr. Funkensteins Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication Medley: Lets Take It to the Stage / Take Your Dead Ass Home (04:58) 3 Do That Stuff (05:16) 4 The Landing (Of the Holy Mothership) (03:07) 5 The Undisco Kidd (The Girl Is Bad!) (07:02) 6 Children of Productions (02:50) 7 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (05:53) 8 Swing Down, Sweet Chariot (05:07) 9 This Is the Way We Funk With You (05:03) 10 Dr. Funkenstein (15:09) 11 Gamin on Ya! (04:10) 12 Tear the Roof Off the Sucker Medley: Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) / Get Off Your Ass and Jam (04:57) 13 Night of the Thumpasorus People (06:13) |
| Live: P.Funk Earth Tour : Allmusic album Review : The only officially released in-concert Parliament-Funkadelic album, Live: P-Funk Earth Tour captures George Clinton and company at their peak in 1977, compiling recordings of a couple shows (January 19 at the Los Angeles Forum and January 21 at the Oakland Coliseum). The double-LP/single-CD album cant do justice to the groups extravagant theatrics, most memorably the landing of the mothership, but its a wonderful showcase for their musical ability and their catalog of great songs, most of which come from the 1976 albums Mothership Connection and The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein. No performance was ever the same for these guys, and thats a major aspect of this albums entertainment value, for its interesting to compare these live performances to their studio counterparts. Of particular note are the 15-minute extended performance of "Dr. Funkenstein" and the three-minute montage "Landing (Of the Holy Mothership)." Though unessential, Live: P-Funk Earth Tour is worth investigating for anyone curious about the Parliament-Funkadelic live experience and is a welcome alternative to the many bootlegs and latter-day P-Funk All Stars live recordings that have circulated over the years. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 25 Title: Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome Released: 1977-12 Tracks: 6 Duration: 44:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (08:35) 2 Sir Nose DVoidoffunk (Pay Attention-B3M) (10:10) 3 Wizard of Finance (04:24) 4 Funkentelechy (10:59) 5 Placebo Syndrome (04:23) 6 Flash Light (05:49) |
| Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome : Allmusic album Review : Parliament simply poured it on for this amazing album, clearly one of its all-time best. At least one band named itself after a lyric -- Urge Overkill, taken from the song "Funkentelechy" itself -- while the amount of times this album has been sampled for the music is uncountable. Besides having an absolutely wonderful name, it contained at least three of the finest Parliament tunes ever, including arguably its signature song. "Flash Light," which closes Funkentelechy on a riotous high, has it all -- a brilliant fake ending, instant singalong value, a synth-bassline to kill for from Bernie Worrell, and so much more. As the album ends, so too does it begin, with a stone-cold classic -- "Bop Gun (Endangered Species)." Starting with a brisk little guitar figure and beat, it turns into an instant party on all fronts, with great lead vocals and an addictive chorus, the Horny Horns and company hitting the grooves and blasting hard. Worrells laser noises and shimmering keyboard leads and Cordell Mossons monster bass squelches send everything all that much more over the top. Another song title says it all -- "Sir Nose DVoidoffunk (Pay Attention -- B3M)." Treated with vocoders to an absurd degree, Sir Nose became the legendary enemy of funk, specifically the Starchild, on many a P-Funk recording (thats the two of them on the hilarious cover, the Starchild himself operating the Bop Gun). The throwaway lines in this song are almost legendary in and of themselves, while the music itself is a great slow build and burn rhythm that piles more on as it goes, with singers, horns, and more taking it to a climax. "Funkentelechy" and "The Placebo Syndrome" both have plenty of goodness as well, while "Wizards of Finance" is an amusing retro diversion, helping make Funkentelechy the highlight it is. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 25 Title: Motor Booty Affair Released: 1978-11-11 Tracks: 8 Duration: 46:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mr. Wiggles (06:46) 2 Rumpofsteelskin (05:37) 3 (Youre a Fish and Im A) Water Sign (04:42) 4 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (06:43) 5 One of Those Funky Things (03:46) 6 Liquid Sunshine (04:25) 7 The Motor-Booty Affair (05:16) 8 Deep (09:09) |
| Motor Booty Affair : Allmusic album Review : By this point Parliament was one of the most accomplished and intelligent bands in music. With albums like Mothership Connection and The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein, George Clintons druggy and patently eccentric humor often obscured the enviable musicianship throughout. Motor Booty Affair is no doubt another classic album and the perfect follow-up to 1977s Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome. On Motor Booty Affair, Clinton decides to yuck it up more with a great underwater concept and a few of his stronger alter egos, including the rhythmically challenged Sir Nose D Void of Funk and his friend Rumpofsteelskin. The deft and airy "Mr. Wiggles" has Clinton taking on the persona of Wiggles, the "DJ of the affair" as he says: "Mr. Wiggles here on roller skates and a yo-yo/Acting a fool." The hypnotic "Rumpofsteelskin" has a great bassline and inventive and infectious background vocals. The closest thing to a ballad here is the astrologically savvy "(Youre a Fish and Im A) Water Sign." The well-produced "Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)" with its handclaps and high-pitched basslines basically set the standards for the sound of R&B in the coming decade. The sleeper of the album, "One of Those Funky Things," is filled with timbales, congas, and Bernie Worrells great synth signatures. The last track, "Deep," has great, understated riffs from the Horny Horns. Although many Parliament efforts cant be fully appreciated unless the whole catalogue is nearby, Motor Booty Affair stands on its own merits and sustains the laugh throughout. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 25 Title: Gloryhallastoopid (or, Pin the Tail on the Funky) Released: 1979-11-28 Tracks: 7 Duration: 45:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 (Gloryhallastoopid) Pin the Tail on the Funky (04:53) 2 Party People (09:59) 3 The Big Bang Theory (07:00) 4 The Freeze (Sizzaleenmean) (09:00) 5 Colour Me Funky (04:50) 6 Theme From the Black Hole (04:37) 7 May We Bang You? (04:43) |
| Gloryhallastoopid (or, Pin the Tail on the Funky) : Allmusic album Review : Though Gloryhallastoopid boasts a couple great songs, "Big Bang Theory" and "Theme from the Black Hole," its unfortunately one of the least essential Parliament-Funkadelic albums. In particular, the ten-minute "Party People" and the nine-minute "The Freeze (Sizzaleenmean)" plod on (and on, and on) for no good reason. Unlike other epic P-Funk songs, most notably "(Not Just) Knee Deep," these songs are terribly uneventful. Shorter songs like "May We Bang You?" are better, but "Big Bang Theory" and "Theme from the Black Hole" are far and away the chief draw to Gloryhallastoopid. Thankfully, the two songs are easily found on a number of best-of compilations, making this album -- along with its similarly vacuous successor, Trombipulation (1980) -- one best left to completists. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 25 Title: Trombipulation Released: 1980 Tracks: 8 Duration: 44:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Crush It (03:54) 2 Trombipulation (04:37) 3 Long Way Around (05:42) 4 Agony of Defeet (06:26) 5 New Doo Review (05:56) 6 Lets Play House (03:39) 7 Body Language (06:00) 8 Peek-A-Groove (07:48) |
| Trombipulation : Allmusic album Review : As with its predecessor, Gloryhallastoopid (1979), theres not much of interest to be found on Trombipulation, the final Parliament album. "Agony of Defeet" is the highlight and "Lets Play House" is also notable, yet even these songs are relatively dull when you compare them to Parliament-Funkadelic standouts such as "Flashlight" or "One Nation Under a Groove" from only a few years prior. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Trombipulation is how it finds Parliament in free fall, seemingly out of good ideas and sounding downright uninspired. Its no wonder Clinton dissolved the group after this albums wake -- after both Gloryhallastoopid and Trombipulation, itd become apparent Parliament had run its course and had become creatively bankrupt. To Clintons credit, though, his latter-day Funkadelic albums, including The Electric Spanking of War Babies (1981) remained worthwhile, and subsequent albums, namely Computer Games (1982) and Urban Dancefloor Guerillas (1983), were especially exciting. Yet for whatever reason, the last couple Parliament albums were duds. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 25 Title: Parliaments Greatest Hits Released: 1984 Tracks: 10 Duration: 51:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Up for the Down Stroke (03:24) 2 Chocolate City (05:39) 3 P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (07:36) 4 Mother Ship Connection (Star Child) (03:11) 5 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:45) 6 Do That Stuff (03:41) 7 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (08:30) 8 Flash Light (04:29) 9 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (04:29) 10 Theme From the Black Hole (04:37) |
 | Album: 13 of 25 Title: The Mothership Connection (Live From Houston) Released: 1986 Tracks: 6 Duration: 40:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Lets Take It To The Stage / Do That Stuff (06:55) 2 Mothership Connection / Doctor Funkenstein (08:19) 3 Get Off Your Ass And Jam / Night Of The Thumpasorous People (08:50) 4 Atomic Dog (04:15) 5 Double Oh-Oh (05:47) 6 Bulletproof (06:19) |
 | Album: 14 of 25 Title: Rhenium Released: 1989 Tracks: 13 Duration: 55:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Breakdown (03:28) 2 I Call My Baby Pussycat (04:25) 3 Put Love in Your Life (05:08) 4 Little Ole Country Boy (04:00) 5 Moonshine Heather (04:06) 6 Oh Lord, Why Lord/Prayer (05:00) 7 Red Hot Mama (02:36) 8 My Automobile (04:47) 9 Nothing Before Me but Thang (03:57) 10 Funky Woman (02:58) 11 Livin the Life (05:57) 12 Come in Out of the Rain (02:43) 13 The Silent Boatman (05:53) |
| Rhenium : Allmusic album Review : These Parliament Invicutus tracks are no newcomers to the reissue market; theyve been licensed and packaged for years. And Rhenium is yet another coupling. This marked the groups time at Holland-Dozier-Hollands label cutting hybrid soul/funk/acid that was looser than the straight vocal group Parliament on Revilot, less enthralling than Funkadelic on Westbound Records, and nowhere near as funky or compelling as their Casablanca smashes. Some of these first appeared on badly mastered 45s that obliterated much of what took place in the studio. The CD format let you hear the grooves and all the special nuances. Spacy riffs cook on "Breakdown," the torrid "Red Hot Mama," and the scandalous "I Call My Baby Pussycat," which they originally unleashed as Funkadelic as "I Call My Baby Pussycat (I Spell it P-U-S-S-Y)." Odd selections like "Little Ole Country Boy" and "The Silent Boatman" will unnerve all but stanch Parliament/Funkadelic devotees, whose rose-colored glasses will find profoundness and cryptic messages lurking in the lyrics. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 25 Title: Tear the Roof Off: 1974-1980 Released: 1993-05-18 Tracks: 25 Duration: 2:31:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (07:41) 2 Up for the Down Stroke (05:10) 3 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (08:32) 4 Dr Funkensteins Supergroovalistic Prosifunkstication Medley: Lets Take It to the Stage / Take Your Dead Ass Home (Say Somn Nasty) (live) (05:06) 5 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (06:14) 6 Dr. Funkenstein (05:46) 7 Testify (03:56) 8 Mr. Wiggles (06:43) 9 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (09:25) 10 All Your Goodies Are Gone (05:06) 11 Do That Stuff (04:51) 12 Party People (04:45) 1 Prelude (01:40) 2 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:47) 3 Chocolate City (05:39) 4 Funkentelechy (10:56) 5 Theme From the Black Hole (04:37) 6 The Big Bang Theory (07:11) 7 Children of Production (live) (02:53) 8 Flash Light (10:45) 9 Ride On (03:37) 10 Fantasy Is Reality (06:41) 11 Rumpofsteelskin (05:35) 12 Agony of Defeet (06:26) 13 Funkin for Fun (05:56) |
| Tear the Roof Off: 1974-1980 : Allmusic album Review : The Best of Parliament: Give Up the Funk may capture the bands bare essentials, but given the bands penchant for stretching out on extended jams (which included some of their best songs), its hard to get anything beyond the most basic overview of their work on just one disc. Unless youre a very casual fan, a much better bet is the double-disc Tear the Roof Off 1974-1980, whose 25 tracks add plenty of much-needed detail behind the best-known and most-sampled hits. Slightly more party-oriented than Funkadelic, Parliament created the wildest atmosphere of all the projects in the George Clinton oeuvre, full of loopy humor and way-out sci-fi concepts. Parliament were also more of a singles act than the frequently album-oriented Funkadelic, and while Parliament produced their share of classic albums, their material doesnt lose any of its potency when boiled down into compilation form. Whats more, Tear the Roof Off contains several full-length 12" mixes that were never previously available on CD. These are some of the most unstoppable, widely imitated grooves of all time, and they still carry the same impact today, making Tear the Roof Off an obvious necessity. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 25 Title: PCU Released: 1994 Tracks: 7 Duration: 36:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Erotic City (single vs.) (04:27) 2 Stomp (04:49) 3 Tear the Roof Off the Sucker 94 (Give Up the Funk) (05:47) 4 Erotic City (extended Sweat mix) (06:57) 5 Stomp (Sir Nose Goes Off) (04:14) 6 Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (You Know the Words) (05:46) 7 Erotic City (Super Groovestrumental) (04:36) |
 | Album: 17 of 25 Title: Live 1976–93 Released: 1994 Tracks: 40 Duration: 5:04:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Let’s Take It to the Stage (10:15) 2 Do That Stuff (06:01) 3 Undisco Kidd (08:52) 4 Children of Production (03:05) 5 Into You (06:52) 6 Give Up the Funk (16:36) 7 Maggot Brain (12:04) 8 Comin’ Round the Mountain (04:34) 9 Red Hot Mama (07:04) 1 Funkentelechy (24:16) 2 Bop Gun (11:37) 3 It Ain’t Illegal Yet (01:49) 4 Cosmic Slop (07:43) 5 Funk Gettin’ Ready to Roll (11:48) 6 Standing on the Verge (13:52) 7 Electric Spanking (of War Babies) (04:20) 1 One Nation Under a Groove (10:20) 2 Atomic Dog (11:47) 3 Mothership Connection (17:03) 4 Flash Light (08:18) 5 Won’t You Dance (01:56) 6 Quickie (03:05) 7 Aquaboogie (07:22) 8 I Wanna Know If It’s Good to You Baby (04:41) 9 Up for the Down Stroke (05:16) 10 Hit It or Quit It (03:52) 11 Gamin’ on Ya (02:13) 12 Put Your Hands Together (02:15) 1 P-Funk (Wants to Funk You Up) (10:14) 2 You Do Me (04:49) 3 Nickel Bag of Solos (18:54) 4 I Call My Baby Pussy (05:17) 5 Babblin’ Kabbabie (02:45) 6 Dog You Out (02:56) 7 Yank My Doodles/Sum’ Else (03:02) 8 I Call My Baby Pussy (06:28) 9 All Your Goodies Are Gone (06:52) 10 I’ll Bet You (03:19) 11 No Head, No Backstage Pass (02:25) 12 Lifted (07:53) |
 | Album: 18 of 25 Title: Give Up the Funk: The Best of Parliament Released: 1995-06-06 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:18:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Flash Light (05:49) 2 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (08:32) 3 P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (07:41) 4 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (06:14) 5 Do That Stuff (04:50) 6 Theme From the Black Hole (04:37) 7 Ride On (03:37) 8 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:47) 9 Up for the Down Stroke (05:09) 10 Agony of Defeet (04:25) 11 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (06:43) 12 Dr. Funkenstein (05:46) 13 Chocolate City (05:38) 14 Lets Play House (03:37) |
| Give Up the Funk: The Best of Parliament : Allmusic album Review : To some, boiling Parliaments legacy down to a single-disc collection is the equivalent of heresy, since most fans treat each album as an individual work of art. Still, there is no denying that Parliament was an untouchable singles act, recording some of the greatest soul/funk singles of the 70s. For those listeners that just want an introduction, or only need the hits, The Best of Parliament: Give Up the Funk is the ideal choice. A more complete and logical collection than the previous Greatest Hits (The Bomb), The Best of Parliament supplies all of the great groups greatest hits, from "Up for the Down Stroke" and "Tear the Roof off the Sucker" to "Flash Light" and "Aqua Boogie." For those that can only handle the funk in moderation, there is no better collection. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 25 Title: The Early Years Released: 1997 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:16:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Red Hot Mama (04:29) 2 Come In Out of the Rain (02:58) 3 Fantasy Is Reality (03:58) 4 Breakdown (03:53) 5 Loose Booty (10:20) 6 Unfinished Instrumental (05:13) 7 I Call My Baby Pussycat (04:24) 8 Put Love in Your Life (05:06) 9 Little Ole Country Boy (03:58) 10 Moonshine Heather (04:04) 11 Oh Lord, Why Lord/Prayer (04:59) 12 My Automobile (04:44) 13 Nothing Before Me but Thang (03:56) 14 Funky Woman (02:55) 15 Livin’ the Life (05:52) 16 The Silent Boatmen (05:44) |
| The Early Years : Allmusic album Review : The Early Years is a repackaging of all of Parliaments recordings for Invictus Records, including their 1970 album Osmium and three bonus tracks -- "Fantasy is Reality," "Loose Booty" and "Unfinished Instrumental." Parliament hadnt quite refined their sound on Osmium, but the record showed promise, and its interesting for hardcore fans. For any fan who hasnt picked the album up, this is a good way to add it, as well as the rarities, to your collection. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 25 Title: Funk Essentials: The 12" Collection and More Released: 1999-05-18 Tracks: 8 Duration: 1:07:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (09:25) 2 Flash Light (10:45) 3 Agony of Defeet (09:08) 4 Ridin High (09:44) 5 Oh I (07:14) 6 Up for the Down Stroke (05:42) 7 Testify (04:06) 8 Theme From the Black Hole - The Big Bang Theory (11:46) |
| Funk Essentials: The 12" Collection and More : Allmusic album Review : Dont mistake 12" Collection & More for a best-of collection. It features a few of Parliaments best moments, such as "Flashlight" and "Up for the Down Stroke," but it also includes songs such as "Ridin High-Parlet" and "Oh I," which werent technically even Parliament songs. This is more of a grab-bag collection; some of it is the groups best work, while some of it is here as filler. In terms of whats worth seeking out on this album, look towards the 12" versions of "Flashlight" and "Aqua Boogie." Also found on the Tear the Roof Off best-of, these extended versions approach the ten-minute mark, making them P-funk jams on par with "(Not Just) Knee Deep" -- jams that just dont stop, jams that you dont ever want to stop! The extended versions of "Agony of Defeet" and "Theme From the Black Hole/The Big Bang Theory" are also epic jams, but as some of the groups latter-day work, theyre not prime material. Elsewhere, the string-laden seven-minute version of "Oh I" is amazing, even if it was actually a Funkadelic song, not a Parliament recording. The five-minute version of "Up for the Down Stroke" also ranks up there with some of Parliaments best work ever, adding about two minutes to the original version. Unfortunately, Parliament only released a handful of 12" mixes, and this album struggles to fill its length. Still, if you dont mind the filler here, it will be well worth your time to hear the extended mixes of "Flashlight," "Aqua Boogie," and "Oh I" in particular. Like "(Not Just) Knee Deep," these songs keep the funk flowing for epic lengths, long enough for you to totally succumb to the rhythm just as you would at one of the groups jam-laden concerts. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 25 Title: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Parliament Released: 2000-01-25 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:07:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (07:41) 2 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:47) 3 Flash Light (05:49) 4 Dr. Funkenstein (05:44) 5 Up for the Down Stroke (05:09) 6 Chocolate City (05:37) 7 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (08:30) 8 Testify (74 version) (04:05) 9 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (06:43) 10 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (06:14) 11 Agony of Defeet (06:26) |
| 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Parliament : Allmusic album Review : Choosing between the many Parliament best-ofs isnt an easy task; in fact, the single-disc collections are all so similar that its barely even worth belaboring the task. But if you do want to labor a bit in hopes of getting the absolute perfect single-disc best-of, this is one of your best options. First of all, above anything, skip Greatest Hits (The Bomb); there isnt anything wrong with its choices -- theyre perfect -- but that album runs only 55 minutes, wasting invaluable CD space. Thats where this collection becomes a better choice, making the most of its length by adding "Testify," "Agony of Defeet," and full-length versions of songs such as "Flashlight." You could argue, of course, that The Best of Parliament: Give Up the Funk is an even better collection than 20th Century Masters, which it is (not having "Testify," but instead offering "Lets Play House," "Ride On," "Theme From the Black Hole," and "Do That Stuff"), but thats a near-futile argument since they are practically facsimiles of one another. If you can find The Best of Parliament, get it over this album; its a better choice. But dont go out of your way to find that album, because 20th Century Masters is a fine best-of, filled with nothing but Parliament anthems. There honestly arent any weak moments here, with the possible exception of "Agony of Defeet," a latter-day song by the group that would have been better off replaced. Still, thats being highly critical. This is a perfect starting point; pick it up and chances are that either youll struggle to stomach Parliaments funk or, more likely, find yourself searching out the groups full-lengths. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 25 Title: Get Funked Up: The Ultimate Collection Released: 2000-04-24 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:14:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Up for the Down Stroke (03:26) 2 Testify (03:55) 3 Chocolate City (05:39) 4 Ride On (03:37) 5 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:47) 6 Mother Ship Connection (Star Child) (03:11) 7 Do That Stuff (03:38) 8 Dr. Funkenstein (05:46) 9 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (08:32) 10 Flash Light (04:29) 11 Aqua Boogie (a Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (04:25) 12 Rumpofsteelskin (05:35) 13 Party People (04:45) 14 Theme From the Black Hole (04:37) 15 The Big Bang Theory (07:11) |
 | Album: 23 of 25 Title: Funked Up Released: 2002 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:19:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Up for the Down Stroke (03:27) 2 All Your Goodies Are Gone (05:06) 3 Ride On (03:37) 4 Chocolate City (05:39) 5 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:47) 6 P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (07:41) 7 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (03:16) 8 Do That Stuff (04:50) 9 Dr. Funkenstein (05:46) 10 Lets Take It to the Stage (live) (05:11) 11 Fantasy Is Reality (05:56) 12 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (03:40) 13 Flash Light (05:49) 14 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (04:29) 15 Theme From the Black Hole (04:38) 16 Agony of Defeet (04:25) |
 | Album: 24 of 25 Title: Gold Released: 2005-03-01 Tracks: 24 Duration: 2:27:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Up for the Down Stroke (05:09) 2 Testify (03:57) 3 All Your Goodies Are Gone (05:06) 4 Chocolate City (05:39) 5 Ride On (03:37) 6 P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (07:41) 7 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (05:47) 8 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (06:14) 9 Handcuffs (04:03) 10 Do That Stuff (04:50) 11 Dr. Funkenstein (05:46) 12 Funkin for Fun (05:56) 13 Dr. Funkensteins Supergroovalistic-Prosifunkstication Medley: Lets Take It to the Stage / Take Your Dead Ass Home (Say Somn Nasty) (live) (05:10) 14 Fantasy Is Reality (05:56) 1 Flash Light (12" version) (10:48) 2 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) (08:32) 3 Funkentelechy (10:56) 4 Mr. Wiggles (06:43) 5 Aqua Boogie (A PsychoAlphaDiscoBetaBioAquaDoLoop) (12" version) (09:25) 6 Rumpofsteelskin (05:36) 7 Party People (single edit) (04:47) 8 Theme From the Black Hole (04:37) 9 The Big Bang Theory (07:11) 10 Agony of Defeet (single edit) (04:25) |
| Gold : Allmusic album Review : The differences between this two-disc set and 1993s like-sized Tear the Roof Off will only be apparent to Parliament fanatics who dont really need either release. Any of those people will tell you that you need at least seven of the eight studio albums the group released between 1974 and 1980 and -- you know? -- theyre absolutely right. But we cant all have what we need. If you cannot take a plunge into the albums, Gold is no small consolation, containing all the radio hits and plenty of the standout album cuts. It turns out to be Tear the Roof Offs replacement, containing a very similar track selection -- the preferable 11-minute mixes of "Flash Light" and "Funkentelechy" are thankfully kept, along with the ten-minute version of "Aqua Boogie," but you get "Handcuffs" instead of the less-essential live version of "Children of Production" -- while benefiting from remastered sound, and it will placate those hungry for more than what the succinct single-disc The Best of Parliament: Give Up the Funk has to offer. As with all the other editions in Chronicles Gold series, the accompanying booklet contains several photos, plenty of information, and liner notes that are insightful and descriptive (this time from the great Greg Tate, reprinted from Tear the Roof Off). | ||
 | Album: 25 of 25 Title: Medicaid Fraud Dogg Released: 2018-05-22 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:47:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Medicated Creep (03:25) 2 Psychotropic (04:27) 3 69 (04:20) 4 Backwoods (06:11) 5 Oil Jones (05:50) 6 Proof Is in the Pudding (05:20) 7 Im Gon Make U Sick Ome (05:22) 8 Antisocial Media (03:31) 9 All In (04:20) 10 On Fire (05:06) 11 Loodie Poo Da Pimp (04:31) 12 Mama Told Me (03:21) 13 Set Trip (03:43) 14 Kool Aid (03:11) 15 DaDa (05:39) 16 Pain Management (05:26) 17 Riddle Me This (04:08) 18 No Mos (07:10) 19 Ya Habit (04:25) 20 Higher (05:42) 21 Medicaid Fraud Dogg (03:42) 22 Insurance Man (03:22) 23 Type Two (04:44) |