2018 JUNO Nominees Five Alarm Funk Release WE PLAY THE FUNK ft. Bootsy Collins

Just as news comes of their 2018 JUNO award nomination, Canadian groove masters FIVE ALARM FUNK have teamed up with legendary funk icon Bootsy Collins for the release of a new song, "We Play The Funk," out today, February 16. The track debuted first at Relix.com.

Check out "We Play The Funk," co-written by and featuring Bootsy, now on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

The project came about as Bootsy heard FIVE ALARM's original song "Capital City," off their 2017 album Sweat, and was inspired to re-work the track with his own flair. "We Play The Funk" ft. Bootsy Collins will also be included on a mini EP titled Boots & Wheels out March 9.

"When I first heard Five Alarm Funk it felt very familiar and something I could embrace, so it was a no brainer for us to do something together," Bootsy shares. "They sent me this track and I felt it was fresh food for funk, so I wrote some funked up lyrics to it. Looking very forward to working more with them in the near future as well."

"Bootsy is Funk, the whole Funk, and nothin' but the Funk!!," exclaims drummer/vocalist Tayo Branston. "His music, style and personality onstage are a catalyst in the inception and delivery of FAF. It's an honour to work and create with such a pioneer in Funk music. I grew up listening to Bootsy -- he's inspired my writing, my performance, and shown that enjoying what you create and how you deliver it is one of the most important steps in longevity. 'We Play The Funk' is packed with slammin' groove, and Bootsy's iconic style takes it over the top. We're pumped that it's not only available digitally, but also on a 7" Flexi, so it's a true party on plastic! We couldn't be more honoured than to work with such a Funk legend! It's just the beginning..."

Sweat--released March 2017--is the latest in a string of projects that has earned FIVE ALARM FUNK two JUNO nominations and several Western Canadian Music Awards. The album--produced by Ben Kaplan (Rise Against, Mother Mother, Snoop Dogg), who also worked on their 2014 release Abandon Earth--is up for Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2018 JUNOS, being presented Sunday, March 25. Kaplan has also been recognized in the Recording Engineer of the Year category, due in part to his work on Sweat.

"Having Sweat nominated is an amazing feeling," Branston explains. "We've worked tirelessly for 15 years creating and delivering this band to the world. To have this recognition from the industry, and outburst of support and happiness from fans, partners, friends, and family is such an inspiration. We're honoured to take part in the Juno ceremonies, and wish the best of luck to all the 2018 nominees!"

Over a decade into creating music, the Vancouver-based eclectic eight-piece--Tayo Branston (drums/vocals), Gabe Boothroyd (guitar), Oliver Gibson (guitar), Jason Smith (bass), Thomas Towers (congas), Ricki Valentine (timbales), Eli Bennett(saxophone) and Kent Wallace (trumpet)--remains as impossible as ever to put into a box. Although they are rooted in the style that gives the outfit its name, Five Alarm Funk thrives on being able to transcend genre by seamlessly mixing in elements of gypsy rock, Afro-funk, Latin, ska, punk and even at times prog-metal. Check out their latest album Sweat here.

FIVE ALARM FUNK on tour now:

Fri 2/16 - Spokane, WA - The Big Dipper

Sat 2/17 - Seattle, OR - Nectar

Wed 2/21 - Kamloops, BC - Blue Grotto

Thu 2/22 - Jasper, AB - Legion

Fri 2/23 - Grande Prairie, AB - Better Than Fred's

Sat 2/24 - Grande Prairie, AB - Better Than Fred's

Tue 2/27 - Golden, BC - Rockwater

Wed 2/28 - Revelstoke, BC - Traverse

Thu 3/1 - Red Deer, AB - Bo's

Fri 3/2 - Calgary, AB - The Palace Theatre

Sat 3/3 - Edmonton, AB - The Rec Room

Sun 3/4 - Banff, AB - Wild Bill's

Tue 3/6 - Regina, SK - Revival Music Room

Thu 3/8 - Thunder Bay, ON - The Outpost

Fri 3/9 - Duluth, MN - Red Herring

Sat 3/10 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry

Sun 3/11 - Fargo, N*E*R*D - The Aquarium

Wed 3/21-Sun 3/25 - Boise, ID - Treefort Music Fest

Fri 4/6 - Santa Barbara, CA - Lucidity Festival

Fri 4/20 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore

Fri 4/27 - Campbell River, BC - Tidemark Theatre

Sat 4/28 - Victoria, BC - Capitol Ballroom