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Funk Asylum Vol. 1

Releasing SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

Forrest Robinson isn’t just keeping the funk alive—he’s reviving its sacred pulse.

With the release of Funk Asylum Vol. 1, the veteran drummer, musical director, and soul innovator launches 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. This eight-track debut isn’t a throwback—it’s a spiritual continuation. What Robinson calls an “apostolic succession” of Black American music, crafted with bold intention and cultural clarity.

“This sat in my heart for 17 years,” Robinson says. “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 is 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,” says 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 allowed for raw authenticity, each track became a space for emotional truth. From dance floor anthems to introspective ballads, the album offers funk not just as a genre, but as a healing vibration, a spiritual force born out of joy, struggle, and community. When asked about this album functioning as a bridge for younger audiences unfamiliar with classic funk, Nelson responded “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,” is 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.

Set for full release on September 21, 2025—the date immortalized in Earth, Wind & Fire’s legendary anthem—Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum Vol. 1 is a curated journey through funk’s most iconic expressions, revived with purpose and spiritual depth. Each of the eight tracks draws 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. With Earth, Wind & Fire's own Ralph Johnson at the helm as producer, the project carries the torch forward, honoring the groove, joy, and legacy of the funk tradition.