The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted
Bootsy Collins in the making of his first album since 2017's
World Wide Funk, forcing him to keep the party going in remote style. (What's a data limit?) The bassist has no trouble continuing to emphasize "the one," the first beat of the measure, and adds a new meaning to the term as a positive communal philosophy promoted throughout the album. As with
World Wide Funk, these 71 minutes are overflowing with featured appearances from artists of multiple generations and genres. Front-loaded with a high-voltage sequence spotlighting guitarists
George Benson, Rod Castro,
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, and Brandon "Taz" Niederauer,
The Power of the One differs from
World Wide Funk in its emphasis on instrumentalists -- as well as vocalists -- with fewer roles for rappers. The veteran likes of
Larry Graham,
Branford Marsalis, and
Christian McBride also pitch in,
Bootsy's longtime rhythm section parter
Frankie "Kash" Waddy (
Funkadelic,
Rubber Band) is on board, and they all mix it up with a good number of younger voices in duly boisterous style. The program slows down toward the end with some potent reflective material fronted by journeyman soulster
Ellis Hall. Otherwise, it's built for celebration. Not everything sticks, but it's all good to your earhole. ~ Andy Kellman