Parliament - Up for the Down Stroke

Today Marks The 50th Anniversary of Parliament’s 2nd Studio album “Up for the Down Stroke” Originally Released on July 3, 1974.

“Up for the Down Stroke” is the second studio album by the American funk band Parliament it was released in 1974 by Casablanca Records.

The album peaked at #17 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LPs chart.

Two songs were released as singles the album’s title track "Up for the Down Stroke", “Testify” and "The Goose".

"Up for the Down Stroke" peaked at #10 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #63 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

"Up For The Down Stroke" was later remade by Fred Wesley and the Horny Horns on their first album A Blow For Me and a Toot For You.

“Testify” reached #77 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

"Testify", "The Goose", and "All Your Goodies Are Gone" were remade from old Parliaments tunes from the 1960s.

The “The Goose" was the third single released from the album it failed to reach the Billboard charts.

The song "Whatever Makes My Baby Feel Good" was remade from the 1968 tune of the same name by Rose Williams and Funkadelic, however, Funkadelic had revamped it earlier in 1973 with the track "Can't Stand the Strain".

The album “Up for the Down Stroke” is notable in that it regenerated George Clinton's professional relationship with bassist Bootsy Collins, who had taken a two-year hiatus from the group. Collins would play a pivotal role in all of the Parliament albums released through Casablanca Records.

Track-listing

1. Up for the Down Stroke

2. Testify

3. The Goose

4. I Can Move You (If You Let Me)

5. I Just Got Back (From the Fantasy, Ahead of Our Time in the Four Lands of Ellet)

6. All Your Goodies Are Gone

7. Whatever Makes Baby Feel Good

8. Presence of a Brain

9. Up for the Down Stroke (Alternate Mix)

10. Testify (Alternate Mix)

11. Singing Another Song

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.