Attention Funkateers! The Big Ol'nasty Getdown is Bringing Funk Back with the Release of Vol. 1

May 26, 2011 - PRLog -- Three years in the making with a stellar line-up of some of funk's biggest icons (George Clinton, Garry "Star Child" Shider, Belita Woods, Sidney Barnes, Michael "Clip" Payne) and introducing newcomers Rev. Desmond D'Angelo and Laura Reed,  The Big Ol'Nasty Getdown Volume 1 is one hot collection sure to blow your mind.   Rarely has a record captured the true free spirit of the genre, a pure jamfest where ideas, good vibes, and an anything goes attitude flowed freely through the recording sessions, from New Orleans to George Clinton's studio in Tallahassee.   With 60-plus musicians and singers pledging allegiance to The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown, this is more than a labor of love for all involved...it's the ultimate party and a chance to pass it on.

In true George Clinton fashion he described the experience of being a part of The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown as "Picture this, Paint a Picture, Paint the Perfect Picture. Composing. Imposing, Decomposing or Just Doodle and Come Up with Your Own Conclusion."  

The eleven tracks featured on  Volume 1  are pure authentic funk.  The songs were written in the recording studio as part of a giant jam session with everyone contributing to the songwriting process.  It was this atmosphere that inspired George Clinton and Sidney Barnes to finally finish a song they started some 30 years ago, "The Beauty of Pretty," which appears for the first time on the record.  Volume 1 also features some of the final recordings of the late Garry "Star Child" Shider, who was an influential force behind the project.   The legends and the newcomers meshed their essence together to concoct a magical potion of funk that pays homage to the past while speeding toward the future, an experience so powerful it is sure to amplify the soul!

Stand out tracks on Volume 1 include the apocalyptic love song "Room 2012," featuring Rev. Desmond D'Angelo; the steamy ballad "I Will Wait For You," featuring Laura Reed;  the booty shaking instrumental "College Funk," and the raucously raunchy "Include Me,"  featuring Belita Woods, P-Funk's resident siren.   "Amplify," "It's So Hard To Go," "Big Ol' Nasty Getdown," " The Beauty of Pretty," "Away From The World," "Platinum," and "Wake Me Up," round out the album.  Some of the artists who appear on the record include members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Robert Mercurio (Galactic), steel guitarist Roosevelt Collier (Lee Boys), Danny Bedrosian (P-Funk), JP Miller ( Yo Mamas Big Fat Booty Band), Grammy Winner Kofi Burbridge (Derek Truck Band), Ian Neville (The Meters/Dumpstaphunk), Tyler Simmons, Sidney Barnes, and drummer Alvin Ford Jr.  The record was produced by John Heintz, John-Paul Miller, and Frank Mapstone.

With a project this special it is only fitting that famed artist Emek was chosen to create an album cover that captures the spirit of The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown.  "The first thing that popped into my cerebral corpus callosum was an image of a big ol' nasty getdown," says Emek. "A big ol' 70's style funky pimp voodoo Wiz tin man scrap-yard robot musician magician conjuring up a groovy robot party. It's bright, colorful, and fun like the music.  I really enjoyed drawing this cover."

"Emek created a work of art that captured a glimpse of the future while incorporating flavors of the past to create something timeless which is what I feel we've done with The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown," says producer and founder John Heintz.  "It's real, it's honest and it's unexpected. It catches you off guard but leaves you with a smile on your face.  It's a celebration scene from the future after having won the war against sitting still."

The live band takes the music to a whole new level with dozens of musicians taking the stage in a collaboration of soulful vocals, thumping bass, groovin' rhythms, and nitty-gritty guitar. In short, it's a huge party...a Big Ol' Nasty Getdown! In addition to the above named players, the following musicians are part of the live experience: Norwood Fisher (Fishbone); Patryce "Choc'Let" Banks (Graham Central Station/Rose Royce); Gemi Taylor (Graham Central Station/Mandrill); Michael Ray (Kool & The Gang); Novena "Baby Stone" Carmel (Sly Stone's daughter); Greg Thomas (P-Funk), among others.

To celebrate the release of Volume 1, The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown will headline the Long Beach Funk Festival on August 20th as well as additional tour dates to be announced shortly.  The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown is a Funk All-Star Super Group, a Dream Team of Funk, the likes of which has never been seen before.  Whether on record or in concert, this is one experience not to be missed.  May the funk be with you!

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