Album review: Bootsy Collins

On this new album Collins constructs his history of American Black Music, celebrating the maverick talents miles away from today's r'n'b mainstream. "May you live as long as you want, but never want as long as you live," is Bootsy's message as he unfurls the funk flag, singing the phrases of Hendrix, Sly Stone and George Clinton.

After These Messages introduces Samuel L Jackson as narrator or, as Collins would have it, "From the silver screen, from HD to Blu Ray… here's Sammy J." The track is awash with keyboard sweeps and whirls, anchored by snarling bass and the funkiest of attitudes. Kool Whip, meanwhile, threatens to teeter off message until a solid chorus arrives like the cavalry to save the day.

Collins can bristle with metal menace as well, the thrillingly fluid rock riffing on Mind Under Construction sounding like it would beat Ministry senseless, on a truly monster piece of music. "Get out my Milky Way/Go find your own gal-ax-ay," purrs Bootsy as all hell breaks loose behind him on the fade. Things are pared back to the bare blues on Garry Shider Tribute, which takes the essence of Hendrix' Angel and scatters its scent a long way. The album is far from perfect, being both brilliant and bonkers in equal measure, but this is what makes it special.

Download this: Mirrors Tell Lies, Minds Under Construction

This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday on 24 April 2011