--=[ Bootsy Collins ]=--

Bootsy - Player Of The Year [1978]

This was Bootsy's third successful effort on LP. It came at the height of his popularity when people were trying to capitalize on his sound (ie. Rick James, George Duke,...). Nearly every song is word perfect in terms of his style and execution.The 3 tunes starting with "Bootzilla", a hard rocking funk workout, followed by "Hollywood Squares", a more laid back swinging funky groove, and then an absolute monster funk rave-up complete with cool keyboards blips and horn blasts and bleets, and Bootsy slapping and plucking the star-bass; they doin' it to death on "Roto Rooter". Check the vocals by Robert "Peanut" Johnson, they are hilarious. This CD is a must for any student of true funk music.















Bootsy Collins - Ahh the Name Is Bootsy Baby [1977]

Bassist for James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy's solo career has been a George Clinton produced extension of the P-Funk philosophy, with Collins portraying the role of "Starchild, Player of the Year." Collins' vocals, are off-handedly cool in the manner of Jimi Hendrix, whose flamboyance Collins unmistakably aspires to. However, the music is definitely in the Parliament vein, with practically everyone from the band's late-'70s peak aboard, including Mike Hampton, Jerome Brailey and the horny horns. Conceptually, sci-fi reins, and the watery sound of Collins' aqua-bass doesn't get in the way of a mostly up-tempo album. This might be his best solo work.















Bootsy's Rubber Band - Stretchin' Out [1976]

Bootsy really gives up the funk on this, his debut with the Rubber Band. In what quickly became a formula of sorts for Collins, the first side is hilarious funk; the second, steamy bedroom slow jams. The hilarious, inspired title track is a true P-Funk classic, with hooks galore; top-notch bass; and Bootsy's funny raps about being "Casper the Friendly/Funky Ghost". Can't forget the Horny Horns' contribution, either. That would be doing them a disservice. Next up is "Psychoticbumpschool", a churning cauldron of self-mythologizing funk. Listen close for the ethnic flute part, too! Catfish's guitar also deserves mention. "Another Point of View" has driving beat, a great ensemble vocal fresh out of "P" University, and some dirty, grimy guitar, which is contrasted by squiggly synthesizers that would have been right at home with Mothership Connection.Then we get to our ballad side, which is surprisingly effective. "I'd Rather be with You" is one of the weirdest love songs I've ever heard; with a bunch of synthesizers, vocals, and xylophones that are more than a little bit creepy. Hey, maybe it's about a stalker? But the creepiness certainly adds layers of Bootsy, and that's a great melody it's got, too. And Bootsy's vocals sound like Hendrix! No, really, they do!

Bottom line: If you are accumulating research material for your PhD in funkology, this CD is an absolutely essential.


Bootsy Collins ~ Rather Be With You






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