20th Century Masters [Original recording remastered]

Parliament | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Island / Mercury
• ASIN: B000046PYJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,295 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Choosing between the many Parliament best-ofs isn't an easy task; in fact, the single-disc collections are all so similar that it's barely even worth belaboring the task. But if you do want to labor a bit in hopes of getting the absolute perfect single-disc best-of, this is one of your best options. First of all, above anything, skip Greatest Hits (The Bomb); there isn't anything wrong with its choices -- they're perfect -- but that album runs only 55 minutes, wasting invaluable CD space. That's where this collection becomes a better choice, making the most of its length by adding "Testify," "Agony of Defeet," and full-length versions of songs such as "Flashlight." You could argue, of course, that The Best of Parliament: Give Up the Funk is an even better collection than 20th Century Masters, which it is (not having "Testify," but instead offering "Let's Play House," "Ride On," "Theme From the Black Hole," and "Do That Stuff"), but that's a near-futile argument since they are practically facsimiles of one another. If you can find The Best of Parliament, get it over this album; it's a better choice. But don't go out of your way to find that album, because 20th Century Masters is a fine best-of, filled with nothing but Parliament anthems. There honestly aren't any weak moments here, with the possible exception of "Agony of Defeet," a latter-day song by the group that would have been better off replaced. Still, that's being highly critical. This is a perfect starting point; pick it up and chances are that either you'll struggle to stomach Parliament's funk or, more likely, find yourself searching out the group's full-lengths. -All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good value, but Gold is better, August 2, 2005

By 

Adam Thompson (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 20th Century Masters (Audio CD)

Parliament had long funk songs so this budget album is actually around 70 minutes long. However, Parliament Gold is 2CDs and less than twice the price so I suggest you go with it instead. Gold also has the 10 minute version of Flash Light (my favorite track) instead of the 5 minute version that's on this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do YOU want the Funk?, July 18, 2005

By 

finulanu ""the mysterious"" (Here, there, and everywhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 20th Century Masters (Audio CD)

If you really want to get a party started, you might as well have this CD. Funky classics such as Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker) and Flash Light are sure to fill that dance floor (or living room floor soon to become a dance floor.) And let's not forget some of the good songs that aren't as classic, such as Doctor Funkenstein, P-Funk and Aqua Boogie (a Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadooloop). If you like funk, you need this CD.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loads of fun..., July 2, 2001

By 

Stephen Speck Jr (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 20th Century Masters (Audio CD)

Parliment was strange, but in a good way. Their musical soundscapes were colorful, acid-laced, and most importantly just begged you to shake your butt. Far beyond mere disco, they had musical arrangments that were textured and complex. But most of all, they're just fun to listen to.