Bootsy Collins – Power of One

Bootsy Collins wants to give you a ride. So, jump on board for a super-galactic experience on Bootsy’s Funkship Area-51. In addition to taking a ride, you also get a chance check out “The Power of the One”.  Not only is it over the top funk. But it’s also, a collaboration of many cool cats adding their own unique chops to the process including George Benson.

“Music is always a soother, a healer, and that’s how I want to use this record,” says Bootsy Collins about his latest album, The Power of the One releases on Oct 23rd via Bootzilla Records / Sweetwater Studios). The album will be available on CD and all streaming services on October 23 and on vinyl in December. 

For Bootsy, it’s also a philosophy: “The Power of the One is what pulls us through,” he says. “Everyone has “The One” inside of them. You never know who is using you for guidance, so always be pure and never fake the funk. Everybody’s got a light. Everybody needs to shine. It’s there, we just have to trust and use the guidance that is within us and know that The One knows your program. It was written inside your heart before you made that mad dash racing to be the first one to the egg! You are perfect in the eyes of The One.”

The Process of Being Funky

The album is produced and co-written by Collins and it’s a project that he started before the pandemic and finishes it at Boot Cave Studios in Cincinnati during his lockdown. Calling on some of his musician friends to join him to let the real party begin.  For the pure funk track we call the “Funkship Area-51,” Collins channeled his P-Funk days, with fellow James Brown bandmember, Christian McBride. Snoop Dogg takes the lead on “Jam On” along with Brandon “Taz” Niederauer on lead guitar, and the song “Creepin’” features blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

A longtime mentor to musicians, Bootsy enlisted Cincinnati singer Emmaline for the Latin song “Lips Turn Blue.”  Dr. Cornel West, Victor Wooten, Béla Fleck, Steve Jordan, EmiSunshine, Rod Castro, The Williams Singers and Az Yet join Bootsy on “Stargate” (an update on “Stars,” the MusiCares benefit single released in June).  For their first collaboration, Branford Marsalis appears on two songs, “Club Funkateers” (with Victor Wooten), and Collins’ arrangement of Sly and the Family Stone’s “WantMe2Stay,” with the great Larry Graham on bass and American Idol singer, Uché.

Besides Bootsy performing the lead & background vocals, Spacebass, drums and percussion, here is special guests on board. Guitars: George Benson Keyboards: Brian Culbertson, Live Horns: Brennan Johns, Background Vocals: The Williams Singers, and rapping, Ouiwey Collins.

Lastly, on Friday October 23rd at 6PM PT/9:00PM ET. There is a livestream broadcast event:”Bootsy Collins Album Release – Galactic Birthday Bash.’ Tickets are available at thebootcave.com.

Keeping the Blues Alive

To learn more or donate to Keeping The Blues Alive, visit our website at https://keepingthebluesalive.org/

Credits: Glide Magazine & https://www.thebootcave.com/