Without a doubt one of the phenomenons of black music has been the rise, fall, and rise again of P-Funk. For all the musical inventiveness of Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell neither could have made sense without the addition of a solid back beat on which their colorful chords could be painted so vividly. We speak here of one Jerome Brailey, the man who not only gave P-Funk, and therefore rap, G-Funk and possibly B-Funk some of its greatest rhythms but who also co-wrote the funk anthem "Tear The Roof Off The Sucker" from the now legendary "Mothership Connection" in 1976.
For the record Brailey joined the Funk Mob in 1975, having spent time with the 5 Stairsteps and the Chambers Brothers, and during this time the P-Funk legend was beginning to be written with Brailey gaining seven gold and platinum records along the way through his involvement. His departure from the Mothership was maybe not the most amicable, but when you have spoken to Jerome you know that here is a man who wanted to be known as his own man, a man who realized that he had more to offer than simply remaining as a Clinton sidekick. This isnt to say that the time spent in the P-Funk camp wasnt artistically beneficial but when you know that there is more to your own talents then supplying your creativity to somebody else to channel it into their own direction, it can be frustrating.
In 1979 Brailey formed MUTINY and released "Mutiny On The Mamaship". Here there was plenty of opportunity to comment on and criticize Georges organization. Outside of his own Mutiny projects he also formed Quazar with another former shipmate, the late Glen Goins. It is here that Jerome is quick to point out that Quazar was not a part of P-Funk as, indeed, neither was Mutiny. Mutiny On The Mamaship was followed by "Funk Plus The One" and "Night Out With The Boys. Mutiny tracks also appeared in the Al Pacino film "Cruisin.
In 1990 Jerome moved back to his roots in Richmond, VA and continued session work with artists as diverse as, Herbie Hancock, Buddy Miles, Buckethead, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Pharaoh Sanders, James Blood Ulmer, Bill Laswell and others.
In 1993 Jerome was contacted by George Clinton who asked him to play with the P-Funk Allstars; he had to take a week off to record with former Eurhythmic Dave Steward and decided it would be a better career decision not to return. The New Mutiny signed a one off single deal with Rad Records, "Sneakin Up Behind You. Brailey announced with this record that he wasn't a retro player prepared to live off past glories but despite its hard hitting rapping rhythm the best was yet to come and it did. In 1995 after working on various projects with renowned producer Bill Laswell and with his assistance, "Aftershock 2005" was released on Polystar in Japan and BlackArc Rykodisc in the UK and US.
In 1997 Jerome Brailey along with other members of Parliament -Funkadelic was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. This induction epitomized and validated Jerome's career and further established him as one of the worlds most recognized and accomplished drummers and producers. 2002 through 2003 offered Jerome opportunities to expand and take funk to other markets. He is currently working with Latin artist Buddha Gonzales in Miami, Blues/Funk artist Lucky Peterson, and Gospel Artist Dawn Sheppard, to name a few.
"I guess its hard to shake off you own history and why try", quotes Brailey. Jerome Brailey will live forever in P-Funklore but whereas the Funk Mob prefer to stay loyal to the one (George Clinton), Jerome, by the simple fact that he MUTINIED, has clearly wished to prove himself as an artist outside of that company, loyal to The One - God Almighty, himself, and his family, who he credits for his talents and successes.
Brailey quotes, You cant do it all by yourself. You will need help along the way until its all over
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and its not over until its
