Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome

Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome is a funk album by Parliament, released in 1977 (see 1977 in music).

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)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideA[2]
Ink Blotfavorable[3]
Rolling Stonefavorable (1978)[4]
(2004)[5]
Spin9/10[6]

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 make reference to drug use.

The original vinyl release contained a 22" by 33" inch 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.

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)"George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell10:04
3."Wizard of Finance"George Clinton, Ronald Ford, Glenn Goins4:23
4."Funkentelechy" (released as a single-Casablanca NB 921)George Clinton, Bootsy Collins10:56
5."Placebo Syndrome"George 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)George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie 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
  • 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

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. http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/rev-archive/Parliament_Funk.htm
  4. https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/parliament/albums/album/121667/review/5943799/funkentelechy_vs_the_placebo_syndrome
  5. Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. p. 619. ISBN 9780743201698.
  6. http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/A1156.htm
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