Best Of Parliament: Give Up The Funk CD

Recorded between 1974 & 1980. Includes liner notes by Tom Vickers.

This is part of the PolyGram Chronicles Funk Essentials series.

Though true fans will want to seek out the individual albums, it's hard to go wrong with this outstanding collection of songs. Parliament brings unbridled creativity to dance music. Their original melange of rock, blues, soul, and jazz elements, underscored by a celebration of black identity and drug-influenced sci-fi fantasies, enables them to transcend the limitations of the genre. Many of the Funk Mob's finest creations are included on this disc, including "P. Funk," "Up For The Down Stroke," "Chocolate City," "Mothership Connection," and the incomparably great "Flashlight."

It should be said that this album is in no way comprehensive, or even justly indicative of this unique ensemble's astonishing range. For that, one should go the original discs or check out Funkadelic, Parliament's stranger and more high-minded twin unit. Nevertheless, GIVE UP THE FUNK is an outstanding sampler and a great place for the uninitiated to get their first taste of what Funk's First Family does best.

Digitally remastered by Gary N. Mayo.

Compilation producer: Harry Weinger.

Personnel: Bootsy Collins (vocals, guitar, drums, percussion); Eddie Hazel , Gary Shider, Glen Goins (vocals, guitar); Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper, George Clinton , Grady Thomas, Raymond Davis, Calvin Simon (vocals); Walter "Junie" Morrison (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer); Tony Thomas, Gordon Carlton, Michael Hampton , Ron Bykowski, Phelps "Catfish" Collins (guitar); Sam Peake, Clay Lawrey, Fred Wesley, Larry Hatcher, Benny Cowan, Darryl Dixon , Greg Thomas , Joe Farrell, Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Richard "Kush" Griffith, Rick Gardner, Greg Black, Greg Boyer (horns); David Lee Chong, Bernie Worrell (keyboards, synthesizer); Carl "Butch" Small, Lonnie Greene, Lawrence Fratangelo, Kenny Colton, Jerome Brailey, Ramon Tiki Fulwood, Tyrone Lampkin, Gary Bronson (drums, percussion); Dennis Chambers (drums); Sheila Horne, Jeannette McGruder, Dawn Silva, Taka Khan, Linda Shider, Janice Evans, Debbie Wright, Mallia Franklin, Shirley Hayden, Pamela Vincent, Bryan Chimenti, Larry Heckstall, Cheryl James, Jeanette "Baby" Washington, Ronnie Dunbar, Linda Brown, Jessica Cleaves, Joel Johnson, Lynn Mabry, Philippe Wynne, Ron Ford, Tracey Lewis, Michael "Clip" Payne (background vocals).

Recording information: Allen Zentz; Concorde Studios; Crystal Sound Studios; Hollywood Sound; Limited Sound; PCI Studios; Power Station; Sigma Sound, NY; Sound Ideas; Super Disc; United Sound.

Parliament includes: William "Bootsy" Collins (vocals, guitar, bass, percussion); Eddie Hazel, Garry Shider, Glenn Goins (vocals, guitar); Gary "Mudbone" Cooper (vocals, percussion); George Clinton, Calvin Simon, Fuzzy Haskins, Grady Thomas, Raymond Davis (vocals); Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Rick Gardner (horns); Michael Hampton, DeWayne McKnight (guitar); Bernie Worrell (keyboards, synthesizers); Cordell Mosson, Rodney Curtis (bass); Jerome Brailey, Dennis Chambers (drums, percussion); Debbie Edwards, Taka Kahn (background vocals).

Producers: George Clinton, Walter Morrison.

Q (10/95, p.143) - 3 Stars - Good - "...the notion of funk-as-panacea is redeemed once more..."