by Steve Leggett
It should probably come as no surprise that Bootsy Collins completely blows up the concept of what a Christmas album should be on Christmas Is 4 Ever as he deconstructs, reassembles and totally funks up several holiday standards in what might be the best Christmas dance party album ever made. &Jingle Bells,& &Winter Wonderland& and &Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer& end up filtered through Collins' P-Funk zone into tracks called &Jingle Belz,& &WinterFunkyLand& and &Boot-Off,& respectively, while Chucky the Funky Reindeer shows up in the careening &Sleigh Ride& (which features some whack fiddle from Charlie Daniels), and the whole affair bounces, bubbles and pulses like a holiday lava lamp set at hyper speed, full of call-outs and vocal asides. It's one impressive energetic bundle of holiday cheer. Snoop Dogg guests on &Happy Holidaze.& Bobby Womack handles the lead vocal on the title track. Meanwhile Bootsy stomps through this cartoon neon landscape like some ultra jolly hip-hop Santa, spreading glad tidings and good will to all and making sure everyone keeps their feet moving. This is some Christmas groove. Grandma might even like it.