Keepin' Dah Funk Alive 4-1995
Rubber fans and funkateers can finally rest easy: for the first time in nearly two decades (since 1977, to be exact, when he appeared on the Casablanca release PARLIAMENT LIVE/P-FUNK EARTH TOUR), Bootsy Collins is coming to you live and direct, unbootlegged and undiluted by tape hiss and cheap vinyl.  KEEPIN' DAH FUNK ALIVE 4-1995 is a specially-priced two CD-set recorded live in Japan, featuring Bootsy and his New Rubber Band, a gang of the original members of this legendary Parliafunkadelicment offshoot -- including keymaster of atmospherics Bernie Worrell -- and fattened up by the presence of some fresh and talented youngbloods.Incredible as it may seem, in his many years on the road Bootsy has never before recorded an official live album release with the Rubber Band; no doubt the sheer energy and deeply funky transcendence of an all-the-way-live "rubber jam" inspired the right people to think about rectifying the situation. The impeccably mixed KEEPIN' DAH FUNK ALIVE is culled from the hottest moments of a recent stop in Tokyo and, alongside the incomparable Bootzilla on Space Bass and vocals, the CD features two key P-Funk alums: synth-sorcerer Bernie Worrell on keyboards and organ and vocalist/emcee Gary "Mudbone" Cooper on lead throat and verbal rap-ability.  They are joined here by longtime Rubber Band mainstays Joel "Razor Sharp" Johnson (keyboards), Frankie "Kash" Waddy (drums and assorted thumps) and the Horny Horns' Rick Gardner (trumpet).Opening with the flammable intro reminiscent of "J.R. (Just Right)" from Bootsy's 1994 release BLASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE and slamming into the classic "Ahh... the Name is Bootsy, Baby" (with its signature chant of "Bootsy!"), the Rubber Band explores the spectrum of both futuristic and finely fermented funk, including P-Funk classics like "One Nation Under A Groove" and "Flashlight" and the deliciously cheesy and spaced-out balladry of "I'd Rather Be With You" from the 1976 Bootsy debut STRETCHIN' OUT.  The overall vibe is augmented by stellar performances from Worrell, who stretches out on his own creepily Funkadelicized synth solo, and newly acquired guitarist Gary "Dirty Mugg" James, who lays into "One Nation..." and the anthemic "Cosmic Slop" with a vengeance."We've got an art form here that we're trying to keep alive," Bootsy relates. "We love it and we love doing it, you know?" From the rhythm attack of "Psychoticbumpschool" to the gospel revival of "A Sacred Place (RIP)" dedicated to fallen P-Funk muthaplucker Eddie Hazel, Bootsy and friends infuse the music with a new sense of urgency, giving us 90 minutes of funk that is most definitely alive....and kicking.