Track Listing:
Help From My Friends {Ron Dunbar, Tyrone Lampkin} 5:57
Watch Me Do My Thang {R Dunbar, W Collins} 4:38
Wolf Tickets {Jimmie Ali, G Clinton, Robert Johnson} 8:58
Play Me Or Trade Me {R Dunbar, Ron Ford, G Clinton} 5:00
I'm Mo Be Hittin' It {R Dunbar, Garry Shider, G Clinton} 4:52
Funk Until The Edge Of Time {Steve Pannell, Jeannette Washington, R Dunbar} 4:46
Wonderful One {R Dunbar, Cordell Mosson} 4:11
Personnel:
Parlet (vocals): Jeanette Washington, Shirley Hayden and Janice Evans
Producers: George Clinton, Ron Dunbar
Guitars: Gordon Carlton, Jerome Ali, William Collins, Phelps Collins,
Michael Hampton, Gary Shider
Bass: Jimmie Ali, Donnie Sterling, Lige Curry, Stevie Pannell, Cordell Mosson
Drums: Kenny Colton, Tyrone Lampkin
Keyboards: Manon Saulsby, Ernestro Wilson, David Lee Spradley
Percussion: Janice Carlton, Carl "Butch" Small, Larry Fratangelo
Horns: Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Richard Griffith, Larry Hatcher,
Bennie Cowan, Greg Thomas, Greg Boyer
Additional Horns: Ernie Fields Jr., David Majal II, Nolan A. Smith Jr.,
Raymond Lee Brown
Horns Arranged By: Fred Wesley and the P-Funk Horn Section
Additional Vocals: Cheryl James, Janice Carlton, Ron Dunbar, Gwen Dozier,
Dr. Funk, Andre Williams, Stevie Pannell, Tony Davis, Ron Ford,
Jimmie Ali, Jerome Ali, Gordon Carlton, Manon Saulsby, Ernestro Wilson,
Greg Reilly, John Jaszez
Rating: RC: ***1/2
Comments: RC: The final Parlet album is a definite return to form, and is certainly their most consistent album. Similar lineup as on the second album, although even more musicians are used, many of them young funkers like Andre Williams and Stevie Pannell. I really enjoy the vaguely sports/games related theme, making references to playing games as in playing with your emotions, and lines like `I'm not a benchwarmer, I'm a heartwarmer`. The theme was used very sparingly, making it amusing when it did pop up.
"Help From My Friends" is a funky, synth-heavy track with great singing and super drumming from Ty Lampkin. "Watch Me Do My Thang" is a solid mid-tempo tune with a bass & horn emphasis. "Wolf Tickets" is a sequel to "Cookie Jar" that features George Clinton. It's a great dance tune with more distinctive bass playing, this time from Stevie Pannell, as well as some interesting keyboard solos. "Play Me Or Trade Me" is the standout cut that features the best singing on the LP. It refers to assorted nursery rhymes to a fast rhythm. It's a typical late Parliament dance song, but the vocals really make it stand out. "I'm Mo Be Hittin' It" is more of the same, a bit predictable musically and vocally. "Funk Until..." is a weird bass groove that features an almost-rap from Parlet that recalls "Unfunky UFO" from Parliament. The keyboards add some color. It's the only Parlet tune that was cowritten by an actual Parlet singer. "Wonderful One" is the obligatory ballad, mostly fluff.
The album is out of print, but most of the highlights can be found on the Best Of Parlet CD. The LP itself will run you anywhere from $10-25. The cover features a cool-looking collage of cards, football players, and other game-related stuff.