Never having got down with my bad self, really, in my life, I have never been anything like an aficionado of funk, so the name Bootsy Collins meant nothing to me, unless you imagine the ex-drummer from Genesis wearing very tiny shoes. But I see that he's super respected in the genre, and has been a member of at least two formative bands in the funk sphere, and the names helping out here – Bobby Womack, George Duke, Snoop Dog and Chuck D, as well as non-musicians such as the Reverend Al Sharpton and Samuel L Jackson – hey, even Buckethead! - bear this reputation out. So, like they (maybe) say in funk circles, let's get down on it, gentlemen.
1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
Oh, that's weird. Slow, creepy, dark voice but then the first actual music track is good.
2. What did you think of the opening track?
Let's discount the spoken intro and go to what I would consider the first actual track, “Hip hop @ Funk U”. Yeah, this is okay but it's not, as they say, really my jam. I actually prefer marmalade, but you know, whatevs.
3. What did you think of the next track?
****ing amazing! Album took a serious turn for the better. Jimi? Sampling Jimi talking? And is that one of his songs? Excellent.
4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1)
Hard to say, as most of the time I'm not sure if it's Bootsy or one of the guests singing. From what I (think) I heard of him though, the guy sounds like a real fun dude, not taking himself too seriously but with some serious talent. I like him a lot and I bet he'd be a blast to party with. If I partied. Which I don't. I had fun once, and it was awful. But if I was going to party, I'd want to party with Bootsy.
5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2)
Oh yeah. One thing you'll never accuse funk of is being boring or up itself. It may often have messages but a lot of the time the general idea that comes across seems to be have fun and enjoy yourself. Real “up” music. Very enjoyable.
6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
Much better, for the most part. There were a few tracks I wasn't mad about, but despite being 17 tracks long it held my interest, and when I thought no way am I listening to that again, I found myself doing so. And again. And again.
7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
I kind of found myself not really listening too deeply to them, plus some of the speaking parts were a little off-putting. Samples I guess. The exception was Hendrix's speech, totally engrossing.
8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3)
Oh yeah, this music is smooth with a capital smoo!
9. What did you think of the production?
Sounds real slick but I guess you'd expect that.
10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
No and no.
11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
No. Like I say, funk is not my jam usually.
12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
Liked it better each time I listened
13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any?
“Mirrors tell lies”, “Don;t take my funk”, “Stars have no names”, “Chocolate caramel angel"
14. And the one(s) you liked least?
“Siento bombo”, “Jazz greats”, “Minds under construction”, “Garry Shider tribute”
15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4)
n/a
16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
It's odd: the Spotify carried on without me noticing it, and I ended up listening to “Bootsy's Boot Leg” or something, and I really enjoyed it, so I may indeed indulge in some more of this guy's music.
17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
I was, yeah. When I saw it was a funk album I was expecting to be bored and have to struggle through it, and in general I found I really enjoyed it and had no problem with repeat listens.
18. Did the album end well?
Personally I didn't think it was as strong a song as the two that preceded it, and it went on way too long but it was a decent closer. Didn't ruin it, not by a long shot, but I found it slightly weak as a final track.
19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
I would take out some of the samples (not Jimi) but then, what do I know?
20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
Again, I know nothing really of funk, but this certainly seemed a well thought-out album and quite cohesive. Do I hear a Prince influence here, or was he a fan of Bootsy? I find a few of the songs so like him that I thought I might find him guesting....
Came close, DJ, real close, but I can only muster a
9/10. Pure
Love though brother! Pure Love all the way.