Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome

Template:Use mdy dates Template:More citations neededTemplate:Infobox album Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome is the sixth studio album by the American funk band Parliament, released on November 28, 1977, on Casablanca Records.<ref name=CL/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=AM/>

Funkentelechy is a loose concept album set within the P-Funk mythology warning of the dangers of the "Placebo Syndrome", which according to bandleader George Clinton consists of consumerism and disco music, which he saw as a crass commercialized variant of funk. The album spawned the R&B number No. 1 single "Flash Light", which features a prominent 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)" quotes the nursery rhymes "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" and "Three Blind Mice", with lyrics altered 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 album's concept. Both the poster and the comic book were illustrated by Overton Loyd.

Reception and legacy

Template:Album ratings The Globe and Mail praised the "superb" backing vocals of the Brides of Funkenstein.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

American alternative rock band Urge Overkill named themselves after a lyric in "Funkentelechy".<ref name="Larkin">Template:Cite book</ref>

Personnel

• Vocals – George Clinton, Ray Davis, Glenn Goins, Garry Shider, Debbie Wright, Jeanette Washington, Lynn Mabry, Dawn Silva, Cordell Mosson, Mallia Franklin (not included on liner notes)
• Keyboards and synthesizers – Bernie Worrell (Keyboard bass on "Flash Light")
• Guitars – Michael Hampton, Glenn Goins, Garry Shider; Phelps Collins on "Flash Light"
• Bass guitar – Cordell Mosson, Bootsy Collins
• Drums and percussion – Jerome Brailey; Bootsy Collins on "Flash Light"
• Horns – Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Rick Gardner, Richard Griffith, Clay Lawrey, Darryl Dixon, Valerie Drayton, Danny Cortez
• Extra-extra terrestrial funk bearing alumni-Strokers, Chokers, Clappers and Chanters – Bootsy Collins, Phelps Collins, Frank Waddy, Rick Gilmore, Gary Cooper, Robert Johnson, Billy Nelson, Ron Ford, Lou Goldman, Joel Johnson, Bootsy's Rubber Band, the Brides of Funkenstein, Parlet, and The Horny Horns.

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.Template: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

Weekly charts

Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chart

Chart (1977–1978)	Peak position