Friday Funk: Bootsy Collins

Words By Karen Dugan (Tiny Rager)

One of the greatest things about our jam scene is the fact that there are so many collaborations with wonderful musicians. The fact that there are so many projects and that you can hunt and search and there will always be new music to stumble across. This doesn’t simply apply to the next generation of our jam scene. When a musical genre becomes established there are multiple musicians who branch off from their primary projects to create phenomenal works of art that sometimes go unappreciated. Bootsy Collins in one such musician.



Bootsy Collins is a name synonymous with the FUNK movement. There is nothing obscure about Bootsy Collins and his impact on our community. However, there are specific albums that Bootsy Collins created or collaborated on that I assume most do not have in their musical collection…and you should! But first, a little background on the phenomenal bass playing Bootsy.

In the late 1960s, a 17 year old Bootsy formed The Pacemakers who were virtually unknown until they were asked to join James Brown’s band where they were re-named the JB’s. Fast forward a few more years and with the help of some of the most well-known names in Funk such as George Clinton and Bernie Worrell, Bootsy co-founded Parliament Funkadelic which came to be a revolutionary band in the culmination of the funk movement.

It was in 1975/76 that Bootsy branched from P-Funk to lead his own group: Bootsy’s Rubber Band. And in August of 1976, he released his debut album called Stretchin’ Out In Bootsy’s Rubber Band. Utilizing the talents of George Clinton for production, Bootsy co-wrote all seven songs on the album as well as pulled in an arsenal of talent to perform such as Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Gary Shider, Frankie "Kash" Waddy, Bernie Worell and many more musicians who have come to be worshiped for their talents over the years.



The beauty of this album is that it’s essentially feels like two. The first half feeds into our love for playful, bouncy, funk tunes that are meant to get your boot shaking. In contract, the second half shifts to a more intimate feel with slower songs that focus more on the mellow jamming aspect, almost a funk ballad type approach if you will.



Stretchin’ Out In Bootsy’s Rubber Band is an album that everyone should have in their musical collection. The musical genius hands that have touched this album make it one of the funkiest of all Bootsy and Clinton’s projects. Take a listen and let us know what you think!!!

On a side note, Bootsy will be releasing his first album in five years called Tha Funk Capital of the World. I suggest you just click the below link and see the FUNKY GOODNESS that will be striking our ears in a few months!!!!

Jambase's Album Preview For Bootsy's Newest Album

Purchase Bootsy's "Stretchin Out" on Amazon

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