Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome

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Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 28, 1977
Recorded1976–1977
StudioUnited Sound Systems, Detroit, Michigan, and Hollywood Sound, Hollywood, California
GenreFunk, disco
Length44:22
LabelCasablanca
ProducerGeorge Clinton
Parliament chronology
Live: P-Funk Earth Tour
(1977)
Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome
(1977)
Motor Booty Affair
(1978)
Singles from Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome
  1. "Bop Gun (Endangered Species)"
    Released: October 29, 1977
  2. "Flash Light"
    Released: January 28, 1978
  3. "Funkentelechy"
    Released: June 3, 1978

Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome is the sixth studio album by the American funk band Parliament, released in 1977.[1][2]

It is a loose concept album warning the listener of falling into the "Placebo Syndrome," which according to George Clinton is consumerism, and listening to disco music, which he saw as a simplification of funk music in attempt to gain commercial success. The album spawned the R&B number No. 1 single in "Flash Light", which features a funky synthesizer bass line played on a Minimoog by keyboardist Bernie Worrell. The album became Parliament's fourth consecutive gold album and second platinum album. The song "Sir Nose d'Voidoffunk (Pay Attention – B3M)" contains nursery rhymes "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" and "Three Blind Mice"; the lyrics were changed to refer to drug use.

The original vinyl release contained a 22″×33″ poster of the character Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk, as well as an 8-page comic book that explains the concept behind the LP. Both the poster and the comic book were illustrated by Overton Loyd.

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Christgau's Record GuideA[4]
Rolling Stone[5]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide[6]
Spin Alternative Record Guide9/10[7]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul[1]

The Globe and Mail praised the "superb" backing vocals of the Brides of Funkenstein.[8] The New York Times wrote that "the music is typical P-Funk bouncing disco, lively and toe-tapping, with gabbling spoken and sung vocals on top."[9]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Bop Gun (Endangered Species)" (released as a single, Casablanca NB 900)George Clinton, Garry Shider, Bootsy Collins8:31
2."Sir Nose d'Voidoffunk (Pay Attention – B3M)"Clinton, Collins, Bernie Worrell10:04
3."Wizard of Finance"Clinton, Ronald Ford, Glenn Goins4:23
4."Funkentelechy" (released as a single-Casablanca NB 921)Clinton, Collins10:56
5."Placebo Syndrome"Clinton, Billy Nelson4:20
6."Flash Light" (released as a single, Casablanca NB 909, and as a promo-only 12″ single, Casablanca NB 20113 DJ)Clinton, Collins, Worrell5:46

Personnel[edit]

According to George Clinton, Mallia Franklin also sang on this album with other original Parlet members Debbie Wright and Jeanette Washington but she is not listed on the album's credits.[citation needed]

Horn arrangement by Bernie Worrell and Fred Wesley

Production
  • Produced by George Clinton
  • Engineered by Jim Vitti
  • Mixing assistance by Bernie Worrell
  • Mastered by Allen Zentz
  • Photography by Ron Slenzak
  • Album graphics by Stephen Lumel/Gribbitt!
  • Booklet story and illustrated by Overton Loyd
  • Booklet coloring and collaboration by Shelby Mack

Charts[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

Chart (1977–1978) Peak
position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[10] 2
US Billboard 200[11] 13

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul. Virgin. p. 255.
  2. ^ Reading Rock and Roll: Authenticity, Appropriation, Aesthetics. Columbia University Press. 1999. p. 150.
  3. ^ Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome at AllMusic
  4. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: P". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 10, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  5. ^ Rollingstone
  6. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. p. 619. ISBN 9780743201698.
  7. ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 296, 297.
  8. ^ McGrath, Paul (January 18, 1978). "Parliament". The Globe and Mail. p. F2.
  9. ^ Rockwell, John (February 26, 1978). "Records: The Disco Fever Is Spreading". The New York Times. p. D14.
  10. ^ "Parliament Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  11. ^ "Parliament Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  12. ^ "American album certifications – Parliament – Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome". Recording Industry Association of America.