Bootsy Collins (1976)
The centerpiece of Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band is the fantastic “I’d Rather Be With You”. It’s an absolutely perfect example of the kind of slow groovy/sexual innuendo/hip swaying spectacle that is funk at its best. A live, jammy, white-caped version is also worth a looksee.
I’d Rather Be With You, despite being a huge hit, was (blissfully) left off the play-lists of the oldies stations we grew up with, so it’s been spared the obnoxious overplaying that’s crippled so many genre classics and feels as fresh and exciting as the day it was made – but, even though I’m devoting so digital ink to this one song, I don’t want you to think that the rest of the album is mere filler.
Love Vibes (featuring the lovely vocals of Leslyn Bailey), Vanish In Our Sleep, and Physical Love – they’re all so much fun! Which is exactly what this album is all about, as is pretty clear from the rainbow font and motorcycle photograph on the cover. It’s absolutely perfect listening for the beginning of spring.
But what do you think?
2 Comments
I learned this song in the Easy E arrangement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxw0-YSAG14
Imagine my shock when I heard this better (and tons more tasteful) version later in life.
Ha ha. Eazy E actually got me into lots of trouble when I was in sixth grade. Lyrics to his songs (such as “bust a nut”) made their way to a game of MASH that my teacher intercepted.