LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ GRP Records) - On April 29, 2008, chart-topping musician
Brian Culbertson will release Bringing Back The Funk on GRP Records.
Colorfully revealed on the CD cover, Brian has been immersing himself in studies of The Funk from a very young age (he's shown as a toddler grooving to an Earth Wind & Fire LP with headphones on the cover of Bringing Back the Funk - for direct connection to the soul). His milestone tenth project, Bringing Back The Funk, is a historic and completely unprecedented revisiting to the land of the "sho' nuff uncut" '70s-style funk of ages. The "historic" declaration is not hype - for the first time ever, legendary old school funk masters from nearly every signature soul band and region of the country have united under Brian and executive producer Maurice White (founder of Earth Wind & Fire) to once again bring righteous and real music to the ears of an eagerly awaiting world. The all-star list includes:
Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley (James Brown's JB's band), William "Bootsy" Collins and Phelps "Catfish" Collins, plus members of the Rubber Band and the Horny Horns (all out of Parliament-Funkadelic), Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone and Graham Central Station), Larry Dunn and Sheldon Reynolds (Earth Wind & Fire), Greg Adams (Tower of Power), Tony Maiden and Bobby Watson (Rufus), Michael Bland, Cora Dunham and Rhonda Smith (from Prince's bands), solo stars Ray Parker Jr., David T. Walker, Ronnie Laws, Gerald Albright, Tom Scott, Paul Jackson Jr., Perri, and many more L.A. session greats. Add neo soul stars Ledisi and Musiq Soulchild, and the vibe becomes clear. In addition, this all-star cast recorded the sessions live in the studio, just like they were during the height of funk's popularity, giving this album a special, classic feel.
"I've wanted to record an album like this for many years," Culbertson states with pride - "one where I could really cut loose." Deferring to the master, Brian modestly continues, "Having Maurice involved from the beginning is what really sparked many others to participate. Once the cats found out he was producing with me, they said, 'Where and when do I show up?!'" Comments Maurice White, "This record is going to touch the soul of people because it's musicians playing together and sharing a feeling."
Culbertson's steady stream of top albums and hit singles should come as no surprise since he began playing the piano at age 8, which he went on to master, along with the guitar, trombone and drums. Growing up, he was heavily influenced by the work of the Maynard Ferguson, Dave Sanborn, the Brecker Brothers, Blood Sweat & Tears, James Brown, and Earth Wind & Fire. These influences are evidenced by Bringing Back The Funk's eclectic mix of songs conjuring up the funk tradition.
Culbertson produced all of the tracks on Bringing Back The Funk with the exception of "Funkin' Like My Father," which was co-produced by Bootsy Collins and "Always Remember," which features production from Sheldon Reynolds. "Always Remember," also the album's first single, is moving quickly up the charts as the most added song and sits in the Top 20 after two weeks.
In addition to gearing up for the much anticipated release of Bringing Back The Funk, Culbertson is bringing his new tour, "Brian Culbertson & The Funk Experience," to cities around the world.
Bringing Back The Funk (track listing):
1. Funkin' Like My Father (Featuring Bootsy Collins)
2. Always Remember
3. Hollywood Swinging (Featuring Musiq Soulchild & Gerald Albright)
4. The House of Music (Featuring Larry Graham and Ronnie Laws)
5. You Got To Funkifize (Featuring Chance Howard)
6. The Groove
7. The World Keeps Going Around (Featuring Ledisi)
8. Excuse Me...What's Your Name?
9 Voices Inside (Everything is Everything) (Featuring Eddie Miller and David T. Walker)
10. Let's Stay In Tonight
For more information, please visit https://www.brianculbertson.com or contact Aliya Crawford of W&W Public Relations, Inc. at 732-469-5955.
