Bootsy Collins Announces New Album Titled Tha Funk Capital of the World

Funk legend Bootsy Collins recently announced the upcoming release of his new album Tha Funk Capital of the World. The album is set to drop April 26, and it will be the first studio album the iconic bass man has released in nearly five years. According to Billboard.com, Bootsy recorded the album as a way to memorialize some of his musical heroes, including James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and P-Funk guitarist/singer Garry Shider, who passed away last June. Bootsy explained to Billboard.com how he was inspired to record the new album: "In 2008 we went out and did a tribute to James Brown tour with...as many of the JBs together as I could," he said. "That really got me thinking about all these great cats who are no longer around and how people are just forgetting about them, and the music is becoming so watered down now. We're forgetting the ones that really opened the door."

Tha Funk Capital of the World was recorded over the last two and a half years and consists of 16 tracks. The album features a diverse array of guest stars. Some of those joining Bootsy on the album include hip hop heavyweights Ice Cube, Chuck D and Snoop Dogg; Dr. Funkenstein himself George Clinton; Bootsy's late brother guitarist Phelps "Catfish" Collins; banjo phenom Bela Fleck; jazz mavens George Duke and Herbie Hancock; guitar virtuoso Buckethead; actor Samuel L. Jackson; the Rev. Al Sharpton; soul legend Bobby Womack; and Princeton scholar Cornel West.

Bootsy told Billboard that he wanted to mix it up a bit and not make it solely a funk album: "I wanted to add a little rock, a little jazz, a little gospel in there, just come up with this thing where I can break out into a whole new kind of area," he explained. "You still get a whole lot of funk, but at the same time we took a few different approaches."

The P-Funk alum plans to tour behind the album this year and is currently making appearances at the NAMM Show (which runs January 13-16) in Anaheim, California. He is also set to appear at the private Hard Rock Funk Legends show in New York City on Feb. 28.

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Earth, Wind & Fire's Shining Star: Funk that Inspires

Clocking in at just 2:50, Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star" is pure sonic perfection. The monster track is one of the band's most recognized songs and is a timeless classic. Written by EWF members Maurice White, Philip Bailey and Larry Dunn, the track illustrates how the band could flawlessly meld genres. The record is a superb fusion of heavy-duty funk, radio-friendly pop and a pinch of hard rock thrown in for good measure.

"Shining Star" was the lead-off single from the band's multi-platinum album That's The Way of The World, and they couldn't have chosen a better song to launch the LP. When the song exploded on the airwaves in early 1975, Earth, Wind & Fire were already an established and successful R&B/funk act with a sizable black following. "Shining Star" was instrumental in helping the band reach an even wider audience. I believe it was the irresistible chorus that clinched the song's crossover appeal. It sounds universal and is catchy as hell; you can imagine people across the globe singing along and grooving to it. It's one incredible hook.

The song also boasts stellar vocal performances from Maurice and Philip. Maurice's fiery tenor nicely complements Philip's soaring falsetto. Their vocal trade-offs give the song that extra punch needed to take it over the top. Verdine White lays down a massive earth-shaking bass line, and guitarist Al McKay delivers a scorching rock-flavored solo. And the horns accentuate the groove with hot salvos of brass funk.

"Shining Star" shot to the top of both the R&B and pop charts and sold more than a million copies. The song earned the band a Grammy at the 1976 Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

The song has turned up in numerous movies and TV shows. It's probably most recognized among television viewers for the episode of Seinfeld where the rhythmically challenged Elaine attempted to get her groove on to the song.

The track's inspirational lyrics touch on one of the band's favorite motifs: self-love, dignity and faith in oneself, that every individual, no matter what station in life, is special and has inherent worth. Just hearing the groove can make you feel better about yourself... well for 2:50 anyway.


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Related blog entry: "Sing a Song" by Earth, Wind & Fire

15 Funkiest Christmas Songs

My sister recently suggested that I make up a list of the funkiest Christmas jams for my blog in recognition of the yuletide season, and I thought that was a really cool idea. So I began putting together a list of my favorite funky Christmas songs. It wasn't quite as easy as I initially thought, as there are a lot of great funky Christmas tracks out there from which to choose. I was originally just going to make it the top 10 funkiest Christmas jams but kept finding more great tracks. So here's the list of my 15 funkiest Xmas jams:

1) Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto - James Brown

On this track, James showed that his funk is perennial, great for any season. The groove sounds like a funky Santa Claus rollin' through the hood in a tricked-out sleigh. Also, the song has a relevant social message. Disadvantaged kids in poor neighborhoods should not be forgotten when Christmastime rolls around. The song's theme is one that's close to James's heart, as revealed in the lyrics: "You know that I know what you will see/'Cause that was once me."

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2) Santa Claus is Coming to Town - The Jackson 5

The J5 bring youthful exuberance and excitement to their soulful, high-energy rendition of the Christmas classic.
 

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3) Christmas in Hollis - Run-D.M.C.

The legendary rap trio from Hollis, Queens, brings some hip-hop flavor to the Christmas holidays as they trade rhymes on this infectiously funky track. The rap group samples the opening riff from Clarence Carter's "Back Door Santa" to great effect here.


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4) Soulful Christmas - James Brown

The Godfather returns to the list with another funky Christmas jam. It's from his album James Brown's Funky Christmas, the same album that "Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto" is on.


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5) Santa's Got a Bag of Soul - The Soul Saints Orchestra 

The Soul Saints Orchestra gives a nod to the yuletide season with some raw, uncut funk.


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6) Funky Christmas Song Ho Ho Ho- The Perry Brothers featuring Dirty Jenny on guitar

I recently came across this very funky Christmas cut on YouTube by the comedy duo The Perry Brothers. The song features some tasty licks from guitarist Dirty Jenny.

7) Happy Holidaze - Bootsy Collins featuring Snoop Dogg

Bootsy and Snoop team up on this stupidly funky Xmas track.


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8) Christmas Rappin' - Kurtis Blow

Rap pioneer Kurtis Blow celebrates the holidays with this great rap/dance track.


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9) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Temptations

The Temps bring a little smooth Motown soul to this Christmas classic.
 

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10) Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

I always look forward to hearing this song on the radio around the Christmas holiday. The song is a blast and has a cool, energetic bass line.


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11) Get Down Santa - The Jive Turkeys

Badass instrumental ode to Saint Nick.


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12) Merry Christmas Baby - Stevie Wonder and Wyclef Jean

Stevie and Wyclef do it up big on this funkalicious reworking of the old Xmas classic.

13) Run Rudolph Run- Chuck Berry

Okay, this is actually vintage Rock & Roll rather than funk or soul, but it's such a great song that I just couldn't leave it off the list. Plus, it's Chuck Berry.

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14) White Christmas- Otis Redding

Otis delivers an incredibly soulful interpretation of Irving Berlin's Christmas classic.
 

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15) Funky Christmas - Groove Thangs

Groove Thangs close out the list with some James Brown-style old-school funk for the holidays.



*edit: bonus song* I just recently came across this really funky Christmas track by Rufus Thomas, which would have definitely made my list had I known about it when I was putting it together. It's called "I'll be your Santa, Baby."


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Related blog entry: Funkiest Halloween Songs

"Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)": Sly & The Family Stone's Groundbreaking Funk Classic

During the latter part of 1969, Sly & The Family Stone were still basking in the heady afterglow of their legendary performance at Woodstock earlier that summer. The band needed an encore after such a huge career peak, something that would be just as powerful and mind-blowing. With that, bandleader, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Sly Stone got to work on what would be one of the band's most daring and groundbreaking records.

"Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" hit the airwaves like a hydrogen bomb in December of 1969. I was 10, and hearing the song for the first time had a profound effect on me. To my young ears, the song sounded unlike anything I had ever heard before. It was innovative and fresh, sounding light years ahead of most of the other records being played on the radio at the time. The first thing that grabbed my attention was Larry Graham's preternaturally funky slap-and-pop bass line. At the time, I wasn't sure what instrument was being played. I had never heard a bass line played in such an aggressive and percussive fashion. All I knew is that it sounded incredible. Following "Thank You," legions of bass players, particularly in funk and R&B music, started slapping and popping.

"Thank You" is an amazing musical achievement. It is a brilliantly crafted mosaic of interlocking guitar rhythms, tight horn lines, a thunderous backbeat and an infectiously sanctified chorus. Also, Sly demonstrated his gifts as a lyricist; his hip, poetic lyrics reflect on his inner struggle to maintain his identity in the wake of rock superstardom and all the temptations that come with it.

This song is a great example of the band's ability to create music that is at once inventive and immediately accessible. And it is considered one of the most influential funk records of all time.

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"Everybody Is a Star" by Sly & the Family Stone

Prince announces his Welcome 2 America Tour

Prince playing at Coachella 2008 (photo by Scott Penner)

His Royal Badness held a press conference at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater on October 14 to announce his upcoming Welcome 2 America Tour, which will kick off in December this year. The groundbreaking artist referred to the tour as being "multiple nights of entertainment" but didn't elaborate. So there's a good possibility that it could be a series of concerts at one venue as he did with his Earth Tour at London's 02 Arena in 2007.

Prince assembled an impressive line-up of high-caliber talent to join him on the concert series. Some of the artists who will be part of the tour include Maceo Parker, Larry Graham, Sheila E., Mint Condition, Cassandra Wilson and Janelle Monáe, who Prince called "his favorite new artist."

The Purple One promised that a funky good time will be had by all: “Bring your friends, bring your children, and bring foot spray, because it’s going to be funky."

Update (May 2011): Read my review of Prince at the Los Angeles Forum.

Phelps "Catfish" Collins loses battle with cancer at 66

It's been a rough year for P-Funk. Less than two months ago, Garry "Starchild" Shider passed on. And today Uncle Jam's Army lost another one of its funkiest soldiers; rhythm guitarist extraordinaire Phelps "Catfish" Collins died from cancer at the age of 66. Catfish contributed his nasty rhythm licks to some of the most legendary funk cuts ever recorded. He was a member of the P-Funk collective when it was at the peak of its powers and creativity. Catfish was also an integral part of Bootsy's Rubber Band, a P-Funk offshoot centered around the virtuoso bass-playing talents of his charismatic younger brother Bootsy. Additionally, he and Bootsy were members of the original lineup of the J.B.'s, one of James Brown's tightest and funkiest bands.

Catfish was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and brother Bootsy formed a funk band called the Pacemakers in 1968. The band also featured Frankie "Kash" Waddy on drums and late R&B vocalist Philippé Wynne. In late 1969, the Pacemakers were hired on as James Brown's rhythm section after most of his band quit following pay disputes. The band came to be known as the J.B.'s and played on some of The Godfather's most iconic funk cuts, including "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine," "Super Bad" and "Soul Power." The band was pivotal in helping Brown further shape his raw, groove-heavy sound at the outset of the new decade.

The Collins brothers, along with Waddy and Wynne, left the J.B.'s in 1971. Wynne joined the famed R&B group the Spinners and went on to achieve much acclaim as their lead singer, while Catfish and Bootsy formed the short-lived funk band known as the House Guests, which included Waddy on drums. The following year, the two brothers and Waddy joined Parliament/Funkadelic and played on Funkadelic's fourth studio album America Eats Its Young. One of Catfish's most notable contributions to P-Funk was his sublimely funky guitar work on Parliament's classic dance cut "Flash Light."

In 1976, Bootsy formed Bootsy's Rubber Band. The band consisted of Catfish, Waddy, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper (vocals), Robert "P-Nut" Johnson (vocals), Joel "Razor Sharp" Johnson (keyboards), and the Horny Horns, which included Rick Gardner (trumpet) as well as funk horn legends Fred Wesley (trombone) and Maceo Parker (saxophone). Catfish helped co-write the songs "Psychoticbumpschool" and "Another Point of View" on the band's debut album Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band.

Catfish has also played on records by Deee-Lite, Freekbass and H-Bomb. His contributions to funk music were immense and will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Catfish.

Here's a clip of Catfish displaying his funky guitar-playing chops as a member of the J.B.'s:

P-Funk Legend Garry "Starchild" Shider dies at age 56

Garry Shider photo by Snabby

On June 16, P-Funk guitarist/singer Garry Shider passed away after battling lung and brain cancer. He died just a month short of his 57th birthday. Shider first worked with the Funk Mob on the Maggot Brain album (released in 1971) and officially became a member of the band in 1972. Shider brought his versatile guitar-playing skills and great vocal talents to the iconic funk/rock collective and was instrumental in helping the band forge its unique sound. Shider was also a great showman and often donned a huge diaper while performing onstage, which earned him the nickname "Diaperman." His other moniker was "Starchild."

Shider was also a talented songwriter. Some of the songs he co-wrote for P-Funk include "Do That Stuff," "One Nation Under a Groove" and "Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples." And he contributed to the writing of George Clinton's influential funk anthem "Atomic Dog." Shider also brought his soulful, gospel-drenched vocals to a number of P-Funk jams, including the classic Funkadelic cut "Cosmic Slop."

With Shider's passing, the world just got a little less funky. Play on brother Starchild and continue funkin' into eternity.


Here's Shider displaying his strong vocal chops and great stage charisma on "Cholly (Funk Gettin Ready to Roll)" from the One Nation Under a Groove LP.


And here's a diaper-clad Shider doing his thing on a live version of "Cosmic Slop."