PARLIMENT
Chocolate City (Mercury)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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This 1975 album fit right between Up For The Down Stroke and Mothership Connection, and it was certainly funkier than the former, if not as well crafter as the latter. A damned fine album is what it was, because it only pales when held up next to Mothership Connection, and let's face it... what doesn't? The title track opens the album with George Clinton speaking to the masses in different cities that had a black majority (Chocolate cities), giving a convincing pep talk until he suggests President Muhammad Ali's cabinet including Richard Pryor as minister of education. Oh well... Just a song. Almost every song is loaded with bouncy grooves and tasty hooks. Bootsy Collins is just phenomenal on bass, playing in the amazing, elastic way he didn't get a chance to play on the previous album. The three bonus tracks (alternative versions of "If It Don't Fit (Don't Force It)" and "I Misjudged You" and the previously unreleased "Common Law Wife") and improved sound add to the reasons to pick this one up. Me, personally, I don't like the thought of having Mothership Connection without also having Chocolate City, though I still recommend Mothership to those who only want to pop for one Parliment album. Take my advice, though, and consider these a pair.

© 2003 - DJ Johnson