Track Listing:
Prologue 0:47 lyrics
Pin The Tail On The Funky
{W Collins, G Clinton} 4:06 lyrics
Party People
{W Collins, G Clinton, Garry Shider} 10:08 lyrics
The Big Bang Theory
{Donnie Sterling, Ron Dunbar, G Clinton} 7:10 lyrics
The Freeze (Sizzleanmean)
{DeWayne McKnight, G Clinton} 8:59 lyrics
Colour Me Funky
{JS Theracon, G Clinton} 4:51 lyrics
Theme From The Black Hole
{W Collins, G Clinton, JS Theracon} 4:38 lyrics
May We Bang You
{G Clinton, W Collins, Phelps Collins, JS Theracon} 4:43 lyrics
Personnel ("The Odd Squad Musicians"):
Totally Treacherous But Slightly Silly Axe Molestors (Guitars):
Michael Hampton, Garry Shider, William Colllins, Phelps Collins,
Gordon Carlton, Dewayne McKnight & Walter Morrison
Underneath Below Bottom and Other Deep Basic Activities (Bass):
Rodney Curtis, Donnie Sterling, William Collins, Dewayne McKnight &
Walter Morrison
Goofin' Gooey Quacy Quirkn' Glueon Key Bangers? (Keyboards):
Bernie Worrell, Walter Morrison, David Lee Chong
African Telephone Operators (Drums): Tyrone Lampkin, William Collins,
Dennis Chambers, Kenny Colton, Dewayne McKnight
Directory Assistance (Percussion): Larry Fratangelo, Carl "Butch" Small
Pieces of Mouf (Mouf Pieces) (Horns): Greg Thomas, Greg Boyer, Bennie Cowens,
Larry Hatcher, Maceo Parker, and Sam Peakes
Horn Arrangements: Bernie Worrell, Fred Wesley, P-Funk Horns
(The Baltimore Connection Horn Section), and Sam Peakes
Scream Division:
----------------
The Put Yo' Boody Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir: Ray Davis, Garry Shider,
Ron Ford, Larry Heckstall, Michael "Clip" Payne, Tracey "Lewd" Lewis,
Linda Shider, Dawn Silva, Shelia Horne, Jeanette Washington,
Jeanette McGruder, Shirley Hayden, Janice Evans, Greg Thomas,
Robert Johnson, Ron Dunbar, Jessica Cleaves, Phillippe Wynne,
Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Gary Cooper, Joel Johnson,
Wellington Wigout, and Star Child
Additional Background Vocals: Jerome Rogers, Tony Davis, Andre Williams,
Larry Hackett, Walter Morrison, and Rod
"Theme From The Black Hole"
Alternating Lead Vocals: Ray Davis, George Clinton, Garry Shider
Rating: GZ ** RC **1/2 MM ****
Comments:GZ: Highlights include "Theme from the Black Hole" (last gasp for Sir Nose'D?).
RC: This is probably the weakest overall Parliament album. One would think that a P.Funk album set in outer space should be a natural, right? The problem is that several of the songs don't even go near the theme, and those that do approach it in mostly a superficial way. Not to mention the fact that the theme was one that had already been explored. The two songs that basically had nothing to do with the rest of the album, "Party People" and "The Freeze", are obvious attempts at trying to produce another "Knee Deep" or "Aqua Boogie". Unfortunately, both were far too repetitive to work as dance tracks, and neither was was interesting enough rhythmically to make that repetition unimportant. More of a problem than theme or commercialism was the fact that so many of the original members had either left or played a much smaller part on the album. The musicians for the Brides & Parlet did a lot of the work here, as well as singers for both groups. The result is a very diffuse sound that borders on disco for much of the album. Given all that, however, there are still a couple of classics on here, some clever wordplay, and enough input from the original P.Funk brain trust to ensure stability. This is not an essential album, but there are a few cuts that are worthwhile. The overall dilution of talent on the ever-growing number of P.Funk side projects made for fewer truly significant albums, but it did create a number of excellent individual songs.
The album starts promisingly enough with "Prologue", a brief outer space monologue punning on astronomical themes. It leads directly into "Gloryhallastoopid", one of the standout tunes. Musically, there's a nice horn arrangement, a driving guitar lick, and a pumping synth bassline. But the lyrics make the song, with Clinton talking about being "a creative nuisance", "stoopidity as a positive force", etc. Starchild madness at its best. Plus, the new Wellington Wigout character speaking backwards is extremely clever. "Party People" is a basic dance track that has a driving beat and is mostly vocally oriented. Lots of hand claps are featured as well. It works for a little while, but becomes dull after 3 minutes or so. Seek out edits of this song. "The Big Bang Theory" is an odd little instrumental featuring a heavy synth riff contrasted against a bass synth. A nice horn riff, female backup vocals and some subtle percussion make it a good change of pace. It almost sounds as though it were made to be sampled! "The Freeze" is another attempt at a dance hit, again starting with some nice ideas but again falling prey to disco-itis. The best thing about the song is the sax work. The singing and percussion are both good, but the song would have worked better if it were shorter. "Colour Me Funky" is a slower-paced song that almost sounds like Clinton defending himself against his critics, "Nothing has changed, even the bang remains the same." The song is much edgier and funkier sounding than most of the slickly- produced songs on the album, making it a musical reprieve. Guitars are much more noticable on this track, which is a welcome return for an album dominated by synthesizers. Junie's vocals are also rather prominent. "Theme From The Black Hole" is the album's best track, an infectious dance track filled with jokes, grooves and great vocals. Lead vocals are swapped very effectively, with the background singers providing flavor. Sir Nose makes a brief reappearance, thinking that he's won at last, but explodes rather spectacularly in the end. "May We Bang You" stays within the theme but isn't especially interesting, except for the vocals.
There's enough on here to make it an occasional pleasant listen or a good party record, but it certainly doesn't live up to Parliament's prior works.
MM: "The Big Bang Theory", "Theme", the title track, and "The Freeze" are my favorites. Comes with comics and cartoon booklet.