Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome

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

The album is considered to be one of the best in Parliament's catalog. 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 a number #1 single in "Flash Light", which features a funky synthesizer bass line played by keyboardist Bernie Worrell. The album became Parliament's fourth consecutive gold album and second platinum album.

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

1. "Bop Gun (Endangered Species)" (G. Clinton/G. Shider/B. Collins) – 8:31 (released as a single-Casablanca NB 900)
2. "Sir Nose d'Voidoffunk [Pay Attention – B3M]" (G. Clinton/W. Collins/B. Worrell) – 10:04
3. "Wizard of Finance" (G. Clinton/R. Ford/G. Goins) – 4:23
4. "Funkentelechy" (G. Clinton/W. Collins) – 10:56 (released as a single-Casablanca NB 921)
5. "Placebo Syndrome" (G. Clinton/B. Nelson) – 4:20
6. "Flash Light" (G. Clinton/W. Collins/B. Worrell) – 5:46 (released as a single-Casablanca NB 909 and as a promo only 12" single Casablanca NB 20113 DJ)

Personnel

• Vocals: George Clinton, Ray Davis, Glen Goins, Garry Shider, Debbie Wright, Jeanette Washington, Lynn Mabry, Dawn Silva, Cordell Mosson
• Keyboards & Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
• Guitars: Michael Hampton, Glenn Goins, Garry Shider
• Bass: Cordell Mosson
• Drums & Percussion: Jerome Brailey
• 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, Brides Of Funkenstein, Parlet, and The Horny Horns.