Blasters of the Universe by Bootsy Collins (CD, Aug-1994, 2 Discs, Rykodisc USA)

This is a great double disc focusing on Bootsys dealing with the loss of his friend and partner in funk crime Eddie Hazel. It features some forgotten tracks Bootsy dug up and finished as a memorial to Eddie of sorts. Bootsy is a legend and a big star and well deservedly so, but I might not have bought this had it not featured the 4 or 5 cuts with Eddie Hazel playing guitar. Eddie's life being cut shorter than we wish will always be a lump in our hearts. There are no recordings that he played on that I would not prioritize owning. He was probably funks greatest psychedelic guitarist and his technique could've made a huge splash in the world of white rock/metal but as history unfolded it was not to be. This makes him one of heavy guitars best kept secrets. His soulful approach to this heavy guitar thing creates almost a seance of vibe, even in his happy sounding stuff it is so obvious how special his approach is. Every record he played on with Parliament/Funkadelic is like historic gold. He is the author of the legendary "maggotbrain". His solo disc "Game,Dames and Guitar Thangs" from 1977 is a very big deal, as is the "Jams from the Heart" cd originally recorded in 1975. Bootsy, who this review was suppose to be about is a very sweet man for adding more Eddie to the world, and probably to a disagreeing record executive or 2 at least. 100 years from now Bootsy will still be an unremovable star, hopefully thanks to him so will Eddie be better known than he was in his lifetime. Everyone should buy these discs out of principle and for the great funk that they are. sincerely, heathen elite