Tribute To The Boogie April 15th in Plainfield NY

No good discussion of P-Funk is complete without a mention of some of the baddest funk bassists in history. Unfortunately, the conversation almost always turns to either Bootsy Collins, an obvious architect of the P-Funk flavor of the late 70s or founding Funkadelic Billy Bass Nelson. Now that is not all bad in itself. These are some badd boys. However there is another somewhat lesser known bassman that was just as, arguably if not more important in the development of the band’s obscure early Funkadelia into the platinum-drenched Parliament chart-toppers & lavish road shows towards the latter part of the decade. His name,
the legendary CORDELL 'BOOGIE' MOSSON.
Just as comfortable behind the drum kit (check Parliament’s “Dr. Funkenstein”) or rhythm guitar (his role in the current touring invasion force), Boogie’s unique, propulsive approach to bass playing single-handedly offered up the foundation that by the end of the decade had launched the P-Funk into the outer regions of the Chocolate Milky Way. Oft referred affectionately to and dubbed the world’s only “Black Leprechaun” by celebrated artist Pedro Bell, Boogie, in his 35th year with the group lays claim as one of it’s true senior members.
First appearing on the sprawling Funkadelic double LP set of 1972, “America Eats its Young” it became quickly evident that no one on this earth handled the bass duties quite like Boogie. The way he seamlessly stretches the notes in a pocket without ever losing the power and bottom stroke of the downbeat on the one is just insane. You simply cannot duplicate it. For a brief intro into this Plainfield NJ style of thump, check the oozing, lather-like grooves of these preposterous P-Funk classics; “Loose Booty”, “Sexy Ways”, “You Cant Miss What You Can’t Measure” and “Nappy Dugout”, the latter of which he takes a simple lick of 3 or 4 notes and just turns it into a clinic on playing in front of and behind the beat.That style made him the ideal candidate when George Clinton got set to blast Parliament off into a stratosphere of platinum dreams with “Mothership Connection” in 1976 with the P-Funk Earth Tour. Between Jerome Brailey’s bigfoot on bass drum, Bernie Worrell’s genius rhythm and synth arrangement and Boogie’s ‘intricate simplicity’ (check “Undisco Kidd” from the “Parliament Live” set)on the instrument, the band would build this immense tidal wave of groove night after night that simply Tore the Roof Off The Sucker!
As the band reached for its zenith the next year Boogie remained one of its brightest stars, moving and grooving audiences worldwide on the FlashLight Tour. In 1979, he appeared on-stage as “Rumpofsteelskin” as Parliament took the funk underwater for the Aqua Boogie Tour. After years of several side studio projects (including a brief stint with Brailey’s Mutiny) Boogie returned to the fold in the mid-80s as part of the P-Funk All-Stars Atomic Dog touring unit and has been with the band on and off ever since.I first met this master of all thangs bass after a sold out P-Funk All-Stars gig at Atlanta’s legendary Masquerade Club back in spring of 1993. He was just walking around outside the backstage seeing what he could get into. I was completely amazed at how easily he conversed with me, someone he did not even know. The man spoke to me like he had known me for years, and thru years of listening to, analyzing and attempting to break down his grooves, I already felt as though I knew him well. I immediately threw some trivia at him about the stuff I had longed to know concerning The Mob’s Interplanetary Funkmanship from years gone by and got much more than I bargained for. I was just a starry eyed fan back in those days and had never gotten this close to one of my super funky heroes. I mean, for Christ sakes, here I was just having a rap with the cat that laid the massive pelvic bottom on Parliament Live. I was totally spell bound by every word that came out of his mouth. But he was just being Boog, just doing what he does. That night lives on in my mind as he makes his departure to dimensions we know nothing about……yet.
For that fateful day when we all must shed this earthly dust called flesh is coming for sure to visit each and every one of us. Indeed, parting means grief, but only for those left. I could go on and on about the funky wisdom this cat imparted to me down thru the years whenever I’d run into him on the road or making house calls at "TheFunkStore". I recall a time not so long ago he popped up over at Queen Of Funk Mallia Franklin’s (rip) crib during her brief stay in SW Atlanta. He was just total charm. Mugg put on a clinic on rhythm guitar that night right in her living room. These memories I will cherish for as long as I am on this side of eternity and beyond I’m sure, as I know our intertwined spirits will meet again in that great place of many mansions. We tried to give him his Heartbeat Props for many years and his contributions to music have been too oft overlooked by the industry and press alike. But for those of us touched by The Boogster, we know, there was and will never be another guitarist with his feel or spirit ever again. Do yourself a favor and go take the America Eats It’s Young album and give it a spin. Turn it up loud for Boogie.
.. Funk Journalist & www.TheFunkStore.com Head Writer
"Bustin" Bob Mitchell..

It was easy to find.   I titled it "Boog by AM Saddler"

Did Donna get in touch with you about a photo display?

Gonna be most high

Bump