The funk legend’s new album has a guest list which includes George Benson and Snoop Dogg.
The Power of the Oneis the title of the new album by James Brown bassist-turned-Parliament mainstay-turned-solo funk superstarBootsy Collins.
“The power of one is all of us together,” says Collins.
Sweetwater Sounds/eOne
Its all of us together coming down on the one.
I got it from James Brown.
His thing was, the first count of every bar one was the one you emphasized.
I just made it a broader point."
BOOTSY COLLINS:[Laughs] Did you invite him over?
It was a bit late.
[Laughs] Tell him to get his own copy, right?
But such is still the power of Bootsy Collins music!
Well, thats good news.
Were getting really good feedback.
How did the lockdown affect the way you made the album?
When COVID hit, it was like, What do you do now?
It became a new way of doing things.
COVID gave me the chance to research some of the rough stuff Ive got.
Snoop happened to be on this one that we hadnt finished.
I was like, Oh, yeah, Ive got to get back to this.
Its called Jam On.
What was it like working with George Benson?
Oh, man, he was such a joy.
Weve been passing, doing so many different gigs together, festivals and all these years.
We always talked about getting a chance to hook up some day but we never did.
I always looked up to him, but never got a chance to really play with him.
[Laughs]
Speaking with you, you seem like such a positive person.
Has that been tested in 2020?
I mean, every day.
I’ve experienced that kind of stuff coming up, in my life.
It ain’t really new, you just have to figure out new ways of dealing with stuff.
I guess thats from my mother.
She was so powerful with her every day dealings.
Her back was so strong.
I only wish I had a quarter of the strength that she had.
I always got off on that.
I think it had something to do with the time we came up and the hippie days.
People were having fun.
Were not really used to this lockdown thing and separation.
Everybody got their own room, everybody got their own phone.
I mean we were blessed to have a phone in the house!
Or even a television!
And everybodys got their own everything now and you’re able to carry it in your hand!
And I refuse to be a dinosaur, because Im here to grow, to keep learning.
Whats a normal night in like for Bootsy Collins?
Normal for me is waiting to get inspiration, whatever the song is, whatever the slogan is.
Ive always got a pen and paper ready, because Im always expecting something good.
It drowns out the craziness thats going on.
You never just kick back and check out someGreys Anatomy?
[Laughs] Because that was when stagecoach was first class!
So, come on, man!
Last question, Bootsy.
How many top hats do you own and where do you keep them?
[Laughs] How many top hats?
I havent counted them.
I have no idea.
They just keep stacking up.
I’m going to put you down for 50.
I know its probably many more.
But thats good enough.
The Power of the Oneis out now.
