Forrest Robinson doesn’t just keep funk alive, he’s revived its sacred pulse.
With the impending release of Funk Asylum Vol. 1, the veteran drummer, musical director, and soul innovator promises to deliver an electrifying homage to the golden era of funk (1976–1985), channeling the spirit of legends like Rick James, The Brothers Johnson, Angela Bofill, and Shalamar with fierce originality and reverence. The whole project is led by a full-bodied single called “I Try,” featuring Imani-Grace and highlighted with a saxophone solo from Gerald Albright.
The upcoming eight-track debut isn’t a throwback; it’s a spiritual continuation. What Robinson called an “apostolic succession” of Black American music was crafted with bold intention and cultural clarity.
“This sat in my heart for 17 years,” Robinson said. “We’re not just playing songs, we’re carrying a culture.”
Produced in collaboration with multi-GRAMMY Award-winner Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire, Funk Asylum Vol. 1 pulses with lush arrangements, blazing horn lines, and a groove-driven foundation that both honors and reimagines its roots. It’s geard as a sonic revival, equal parts celebration and reclamation.
“It’s great to see a full band, vocals and musicians, working together. Earth, Wind & Fire had that too,” said Johnson. “Funk Asylum is well on their way to preserving funk and being true stewards of the genre. The songs they’ve chosen reflect that, it’s a strong cross-section. Every musician is a steward of the sound they carry. It’s about presenting it at its very best.”
Backed by Flowerpot Productions’ executive producer Lindsey Nelson, whose no-censorship creative direction allows for raw authenticity, each track is a space for emotional truth. From dance-floor anthems to introspective ballads, the album presents funk not just as a genre but as a healing vibration, a spiritual force born out of joy, struggle, and community.
When asked about the album serving as a bridge for younger audiences unfamiliar with classic funk, Nelson said, “I think they’ll respond to the freshness of the sound, because it’s distinct from what’s been circulating lately, but it’s rooted in the music of the ’70s and ’80s. Any curious listener will almost inevitably trace it back to the source, Angela Bofill, The Brothers Johnson, Sly Stone, Rick James, James Brown.”
The project’s first single, “I Try,” serves as a bold declaration of Robinson’s vision to educate through rhythm and honor the personal and collective stories that shaped funk music. Originally performed by Angela Bofill, Robinson’s reimagined version, featuring lead vocals by Imani-Grace, a soaring saxophone solo by Gerald Albright, and lush strings arranged by John Clayton, invites listeners into a space of reflection, movement, and belonging. It’s a groove with a message and a call to join the legacy.
This writer is very much looking forward to the official release of Funk Asylum Vol. 1 touted as a curated journey through funk’s most iconic expressions, revived with purpose and spiritual depth. I’m excited to dive into each of the eight tracks drawn from the canon of Black American musical brilliance, from Rick James and Teena Marie to Shalamar and The Brothers Johnson, infused with new vitality by Robinson and his powerhouse collaborators.