Watch: Bootsy Collins Recalls his Roots on “The JB’s Tribute Pastor P,” Featuring Fred Wesley, Daru Jones, Harry Mack and More
Photo Credit: Joseph Ross
Today, Bootsy Collins looks back to his early days with “The JB’s Tribute Pastor P,” the latest single from the legendary bassist’s forthcoming record Album of the Year #1 Funkateer. Set to release on April 11 of next year via his own Bootzilla Records imprint, distributed by Roc Nation, the funk hero’s new track flows back to the origins of his groove, recalling his James Brown’s vaunted backing band The JB’s with a tight, upright groove channeling the distinctive style of those great originators. The collaborative process behind “The JB’s Tribute Pastor P” stands as a testament to Bootsy’s stretching out as an elder statesman and guide for the new guard in rhythm-forward music, and fittingly arrives on the eve of his 73rd birthday.
“The JB’s Tribute Pastor P” is a hypnotic blend of classic and contemporary, tracing forward the artist’s style from his roots in the spotlight of the early ‘70s, through the kaleidoscopic Parliament-Funkadelic years and on into his new golden age. Viral emcee Harry Mack spits dense referential and reverent rhymes over a rock-solid backbeat from storied session drummer Daru Jones, with electro-organ squeals, Brown-inspired ad-libs and, naturally, a slinking rubber band bassline from Bootzilla himself. Good God!
The track took shape when Jones–acclaimed for work with Jack White, Pete Rock, Slum Village and many more–contacted Bootsy to set up a session in Cincinnati’s legendary King Studios. There, the drummer laid down a thumping pulse nodding to the immensely influential style of The JB’s twin percussionists John “Jabo” Starks and Clyde Stubblefield. Bootsy worked his–Ahh…–elastic magic, then tapped a range of collaborators from near and far to add their voices to the track, from guitarist Ella Feingold and German rapper Fantaazma to the iconic JBs trombonist Fred Wesley, who gets up and does his thing with a ripping, inimitable solo.
This collaborative ethos defines Bootsy’s broader project and creative style today. “When I start on a project now, it’s about getting the energy from people around me,” the artist elucidates in a release. “Then I proceed to gather transmissions from the universe to know what to talk about. It’s important to me to see who the universe brings to me, and I’ve been really blessed that every time I want to do a new record, I get these incredible musicians around me, right on time. That’s what this album helps me do—Transmitting & receiving with different musicians and artists that have the same desire I had when I was their age.”
Bootsy will celebrate his new release and his birthday today, Oct. 25, in his hometown of Cincinnati. Find the icon at a listening party in the South Atrium of the Cincinnati Public Library (4C Room) from 4-7 p.m.
Wherever you are, stream “The JB’s Tribute Pastor P” now. After all, what’s a telephone bill?
