The Best of Parliament cover

The Best of Parliament

Parliament · 2000

67 min · 11 tracks · funk

A vibrant celebration of funk, blending infectious grooves with eclectic instrumentation and psychedelic flair.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) — This track serves as an anthem for unity and celebration, featuring catchy hooks and an unforgettable chorus that exemplifies Parliament's funky style.
  • →
    Flash Light — A hallmark of funk music, this song showcases inventive instrumentation and a playful spirit, representing the band's experimental approach during their peak years.
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    Mothership Connection (Star Child) — This track combines cosmic themes with a powerful groove, encapsulating Parliament's visionary storytelling and theatrical performance style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

This compilation effectively showcases Parliament's innovative sound but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocals, enhancing the communal feel typical of funk music.
  • The sequencing includes high-energy tracks followed by more laid-back grooves, maintaining listener engagement throughout.
  • Each song is distinct in its arrangement, with varying tempos and styles that reflect the eclectic nature of the band's approach.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • danceable grooves that energize
  • celebratory vibes for gatherings
  • dynamic flow with wave-like pacing
  • psychedelic soundscapes to explore
  • feel-good rhythms for uplifting moments

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • avoid lengthy immersive experiences

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on January 25, 2000, 'The Best of Parliament' arrived during a resurgence of interest in funk music, showcasing Parliament's influence on contemporary genres. This compilation encapsulated their innovative sound and cultural impact after decades of pioneering the funk movement, following the band's peak during the 1970s with seminal albums like 'Mothership Connection.'

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) 7:41
  • 2 Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) 5:47
  • 3 Flash Light 5:48
  • 4 Dr. Funkenstein 5:45
  • 5 Up for the Down Stroke 5:09
  • 6 Chocolate City 5:38
  • 7 Bop Gun (Endangered Species) 8:31
  • 8 Testify ('74 version) 4:05
  • 9 Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) 6:43
  • 10 Mothership Connection (Star Child) 6:14
  • 11 Agony of Defeet 6:25

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata