Parliament - The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein

After Mothership Connection came out in 1975 there was speculation as to whether Parliament could come up with something as good. No problem. The seminal The Clones Of Dr Funkenstein album was released in 1976 and is one of the P-Funk crew’s finest. It went gold in America peaking at #20 on the Billboard album chart.

George Clinton’s merry crew included Bootsy Collins (bass), Glen Goins (guitar), Garry Shider (guitar), and Jerome Brailey (drums). Musical arrangements were courtesy of keyboard player Bernie Worrell and former James Brown horn player Fred Wesley. Studio horn players included the legendary Brecker Brothers.

Every track was a winner with ‘Gamin’ on Ya’ and ‘Children Of Production’ crackling with musical electricity. ‘Getten’ To Know You’ was even a romantic ballad – of sorts. ‘Everything Is On The One ‘was a one song summation of the refreshed Parliament groove philosophy.

Clinton of course played the character of Dr. Funkenstein depicted on the iconic front cover whose “funk was the best.” Dr. Funkenstein was released as a single and got to #43 in the Billboard R&B chart in February 1977.