If 1979's Invasion of the Booty Snatchers is Parlet's best and most essential album, Play Me or Trade Me runs a close second. This 1980 LP, which George Clinton produced with Ron Dunbar, offers the same Parlet lineup heard on Invasion of the Booty Snatchers -- Jeanette Baby Washington is joined by Shirley Hayden and Janice Evans. And many of the familiar P-Funk faces are on board, including Bootsy Collins (who plays guitar but doesn't sing), saxman Maceo Parker, and trombonist Fred Wesley. Play Me or Trade Me, which was Parlet's third album, isn't quite as diverse as its two predecessors. But if the trio sacrifices some diversity on this record, they don't sacrifice quality -- Play Me or Trade Me is impressively consistent, and Parlet sounds inspired and focused throughout the LP. Side one is a nonstop P-Funk party; it kicks into high gear with Help From My Friends and Parlet keeps the momentum going with Watch Me Do My Thang and Wolf Tickets. Side two, meanwhile, also has a strong P-Funk orientation, although there are hints of Chic on the title track and I'm Mo Be Hittin' It. And the fact that Chic managed to have some type of influence on one of George Clinton's acts speaks well of the Nile Rodgers/Bernard Edwards team. Back in 1980, Rodgers and Edwards were not music industry veterans; Chic's first album came out in 1977. But they had become extremely influential, and even the mighty Clinton -- someone who was incredibly influential himself -- is affected by the distinctive Rodgers/Edwards sound on parts of this album. Unfortunately, Play Me or Trade Me was the end of the line for Parlet, but at least the group ended their brief recording career on a high note. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi

1		Help from My Friends
2		Watch Me Do My Thang
3		Wolf Tickets
4		Play Me or Trade Me
5		I'm Mo Be Hittin' It
6		Funk Until the Edge of Time
7		Wonderful One

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