SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BOOTSY COLLINS – ALBUM OF THE YEAR #1 FUNKATEER

BOOTSY COLLINS
ALBUM OF THE YEAR #1 FUNKATEER
BOOTZILLA RECORDS

Over half a century into his career, Bootsy Collins has done it all. From backing some of the most important figures in funk as a bassist for James Brown and Parliament, to an onslaught of studio albums as a solo artist and band leader, along with collaborations with Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, Herbie Hancock, Buckethead, and Bruno Mars, he remains a legendary figure. Following the release of his previous solo album, 2020’s The Power Of One, Bootsy has returned with Album Of The Year #1 Funkateer, a genre bending body of work that features contributions from Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Wiz Khalifa, and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), among others.

The title track opens the album with the gloppiest of bass tones over some light synths and drums for Bootsy to deliver a quick monologue, like an MC welcoming you to a live experience, before heading into the upbeat shuffle of “The JB’s Tribute Pastor P”. The drums are absolutely filthy. Built on a beat from The Funky Drummer himself, Clyde Stubblefield, the song feels as though it was pulled from the James Brown songbook with a groove that organically builds with further accents from the rhythm and horn section. Firmly rooted in the traditional sounds of early ‘70s funk, “The JB’s Tribute Pastor P” is a modern interpretation of the genre that feels as vintage as it does fresh.

Bootsy will teeter this line for much, if not all, of Album Of The Year #1 Funkateer as he digs deep into the distinctive styles of Brown and George Clinton, almost bridging the two schools of funk with a single record. Through this, Album Of The Year #1 Funkateer is a kaleidoscope of sonic influences and vibes. “Bootdullivan Is Soopafly” is a dark, futuristic take on funk while “Bubble Pop”, “The InFluencers”, and “Hundo P” all throw it back to the West Coast circa the early ‘90s, allowing for verses from Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg to soar over a live band. The use of heavy guitars and horns on songs like “Ubiquitous” and “Barbie T & Me (Tribute To Buckethead)” is reminiscent for Prince. With all this, Album Of The Year #1 Funkateer stands as a strong funk album that is elevated by Bootsy’s musical synthesis. Additional highlights include “Fishnets”, “Chicken & Fries”, and “Alien Flytrap”.

Album Of The Year #1 Funkateer is indescribably funky. Throughout its 18 tracks, Bootsy and company create a modern funk oasis that pulls inspiration from hip-hop, R&B, and rock, making the album an exceptional extension of the sound and legacy of both James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic. Without a moment of weakness, Album Of The Year #1 Funkateer is a thrilling record that serves as an evolution to the genre, while still feeling like a classic, 1970s release, ultimately making the latest offering from Bootsy Collins an essential collection within the funk cannon.

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