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Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome
Studio album by
Parliament
ReleasedNovember 28, 1977
Recorded1976–1977
StudioUnited Sound Systems, Detroit, Michigan, and Hollywood Sound, Hollywood, California
GenreFunk
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 album by funk band Parliament, released in 1977.

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 #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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideA[2]
Rolling Stone[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[4]
Spin Alternative Record Guide9/10[citation needed]

Track listing

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

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.

Horn arrangement by Bernie Worrell and Fred Wesley

Production

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1977–1978) Peak
position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] 2
US Billboard 200[6] 13

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome at AllMusic
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Rollingstone
  4. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. p. 619. ISBN 9780743201698.
  5. ^ "Parliament Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  6. ^ "Parliament Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "American album certifications – Parliament – Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome". Recording Industry Association of America.
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