His booty shakin' co-authors include a staggering A-list of real-life heroes: the scholar Dr. Cornell West, the activist Rev. Al Sharpton, the actor Samuel Jackson, rappers Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Chuck D, P-Funkers George Clinton and Bernie Worrell, percussionist Sheila E., R&B legend Bobby Womack and guitarists Buckethead and Catfish Collins - the latter Bootsy's brother and longtime six-string foil, who passed away during the disc's making.
From the opening 'Hip Hop @ Funk U' to the closing 'The Munchies 2011,' Bootsy Collins' Tha Funk Capital of the World is a percolating playground of soul-deep rhythms and layered melodies punctuated by lyrics that range from meditations on the nature of truth to the joys of fun-loving hipness to spiritual transcendence. And while Bootsy's bass is the album's heartbeat, it's his voice that brims with giddy delight, goosing up the blissed-out vibe.