Bootsy Collins Remembers Clyde Stubblefield & Jabo Starks On New Single

Bootsy Collins remembers drummers Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks on his latest single, “The JB’s Tribute Pastor P.” They all worked together in James Brown’s band and helped Brown create some of his funk classics. Stubblefield will be forever remembered for creating the famous break from “Funky Drummer.” His drums were also immortalized on “Cold Sweat,” “Ain’t It Funky Now,” “Mother Popcorn,” “Say It Loud- I’m Black and I’m Proud,” “Give It Up Or Turn It Loose,” “Get Into It, Get Involved,” “There Was A Time,” and the Sex Machine album. Starks played on “The Payback,” “Sex Machine,” “Soul Power,” “Papa Don’t Take No Mess,” “Licking Stick-Licking Stick,” “Super Bad,” “Talkin’ Loud and Sayin’ Nothing” and “Doing It To Death.” Collin’s tribute has Harry Mack rapping and the band, which includes Brown alumni Fred Wesley on the trombone. Collins’ 23rd album, Album of the Year #1 Funkateer, is due any day now. 




Throwback: Bootsy Collins- I’d Rather Be With You

William “Earl” Bootsy Collins played bass for James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic before forming his Bootsy’s Rubber Band in 1976. Collins and George Clinton co-produced their debut album Stretchin’ Out In Bootsy’s Rubber Band. They also shared writing duties on “I’d Rather Be With You” with Gary Cooper. The end result was a piece of funk history that revealed Collins’ importance to music outside of his previous roles with two of the most influential soul and funk bands. Collins’ endless riffs, cartoonish vocals and salacious double entendre with Gary Cooper’s raw belting were peerless. “I’d Rather Be With You” would prove itself to be a musical well for years to come. Beyoncé, Eazy E, and Childish Gambino are a few of the artists to sample Collins’ song through the years. The first three albums from his Rubber Band are recognized as essential funk classics in the world of music despite them not receiving any industry accolades. He is regarded as one of the most important bass players ever and has performed and recorded more than funk including electronic music, metal, dance music and rock. In 2019, Collins announced that he was retiring from performing live for health reasons. He most recently appeared on the Bruno Mars and anderson.paak 2021 Silk Sonic album. In 2022, he was the emcee for the 2022 World Games opening ceremony in Birmingham, Alabama. 

 




Throwback: Deee-Lite-Groove Is In The Heart

Deee-Lite’s introduction began with their seminal party track “Groove Is In The Heart.” The song spearheaded their debut album World Clique in 1990 although it was written in the late ’80s. They took their cues from disco, funk and house and Q-Tip provided hip-hop in the mix with his verses. The Lady Miss Kier Kirby gave great visuals as the trio’s frontwoman with colorful retro fashion from the ’70s. The old becomes new again vibe had an authentic seal with the presence of James Brown alumni Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley. “Groove Is In The Heart” caught on quickly in clubs worldwide and it also topped several charts. Towa Tei, DJ Dmitry and the Lady Miss Kier Kirby were one of the most known dance music groups at the time and World Clique was a landmark of the ’90s.  The album reached Gold status by the end of 1990 thanks to subsequent singles “Power Of Love” “Good Beat” and “E.S.P.” Deee-Lite released three albums before breaking up in 1994 but World Clique remains their most played record.

DJ Dmitry still works as a DJ and has remixed numerous artists from his base in Berlin. Towa Tei has released solo albums under his name and his side project Sweet Robots Against The Machine as well as a series of compilation albums and EPs. The Lady Miss Kier Kirby works as a DJ, solo artist and is recognized as a fashion icon by the industry that continues to use her image and music for magazines and all kinds of Fashion Week events. 

 




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