For your GRAMMY® consideration

Forrest Robinson’s

Funk Asylum
Vol. 1

Recordings rooted in funk, soul and Rhythm & Blues, performed by an ensemble of musicians brought together by drummer and musical director Forrest Robinson. Produced by Ralph Johnson and Forrest Robinson.

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Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum Vol. 1 album artwork — Funk Asylum / Vol. 1Flowerpot Productions

Submitted categories

For Your Consideration

FYCAlbum

Best R&B Album

Submitted workForrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum Vol. 1

FYCPerformance

Best Traditional R&B Performance

Submitted workBack Together Again

FYCArrangement

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

Submitted workTomorrow (Brothers Johnson)

The recordings

Listen to Vol. 1

Selected recording

Back Together Again

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Full-length recordings. Select a song below to listen.

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The Record

01Give It to Me Baby4:29

Written by: Rick James
Publishers: Jobete Music Co., Inc. (ASCAP); Stone City Music Co. (ASCAP)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Lead Vocals: Mabvuto Carpenter
Background Vocals: Terri Harper, David A. Harper, Lauren Evans, Forrest Robinson
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Horn Section: Trumpet: Aaron Janik; Trombone: Ivan Malespin; Saxophone: Jesse McGinty
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arranger: Lauren Evans; Horn Arranger: Aaron Janik; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

02I'll Be Good5:03

Written by: René Moore, Angela Winbush
Publishers: Ryco Music; Palan Music Publishing (BMI); A La Mode Music (ASCAP); Rene Moore Music, Inc. (ASCAP); EMI Virgin Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Lead Vocals: Mabvuto Carpenter, Lauren Evans
Background Vocals: Lauren Evans, David A. Harper, Terri Harper
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arranger: Lauren Evans; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

03A Night to Remember5:36

Written by: Nidra Beard, Charmaine Sylvers, Dana Meyers
Publishers: Notting Hill Music (UK) Ltd. (ASCAP); H & R Lastrada Music (ASCAP)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Lead Vocals: Lauren Evans, Mabvuto Carpenter
Background Vocals: Lauren Evans, Terri Harper, David A. Harper, Mabvuto Carpenter
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Horn Section: Trumpet: Aaron Janik; Trombone: Ivan Malespin; Saxophone: Jesse McGinty
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arranger: Lauren Evans; Horn Arranger: Aaron Janik; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

04I Need Your Lovin'6:38

Written by: Teena Marie
Publisher: Jobete Music Co., Inc. (ASCAP)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Lead Vocals: Lauren Evans
Background Vocals: Lauren Evans, Terri Harper, David A. Harper
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Horn Section: Trumpet: Aaron Janik; Trombone: Ivan Malespin; Saxophone: Jesse McGinty
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arranger: Lauren Evans; Horn Arranger: Aaron Janik; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

05Back Together Again4:30

Written by: James Mtume, Reggie Lucas
Publisher: Scarab Music (BMI)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Lead Vocals: Imani-Grace, Frank McComb
Background Vocals: Lauren Evans, Terri Harper, David A. Harper, Mabvuto Carpenter
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Horn Section: Trumpet: Aaron Janik; Trombone: Ivan Malespin; Saxophone: Jesse McGinty
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arranger: Lauren Evans; Horn Arranger: Aaron Janik; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

06Strawberry Letter 234:31

Written by: Shuggie Otis
Publishers: Kidada Music, Inc. (ASCAP); Shuggierius Music Publishing Co. (BMI)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Lead Vocals: Mabvuto Carpenter
Background Vocals: Lauren Evans, Terri Harper, David A. Harper
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arranger: Lauren Evans; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

07 I Try7:01

Written by: Angela Bofill
Publishers: Purple Bull Music Inc. (ASCAP); Universal Music – Z Songs (ASCAP)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Lead Vocals: Imani-Grace
Background Vocals: Lauren Evans, Terri Harper
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Featured Musician: Saxophone: Gerald Albright
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arrangement: Lauren Evans, Imani-Grace; String Arrangement: John Clayton; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

08Tomorrow (Brothers Johnson)4:16

Written by: George Johnson, Louis Johnson, Siedah Garrett
Publishers: Black Chick Music (BMI); Hee Bee Dooinit Music (BMI); W B Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Background Vocals: Lauren Evans, Terri Harper, David A. Harper
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arranger: Lauren Evans; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

09Tomorrow (Featuring Lauren Evans)4:16

Written by: George Johnson, Louis Johnson, Siedah Garrett
Publishers: Black Chick Music (BMI); Hee Bee Dooinit Music (BMI); W B Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Artist: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Lead Vocals: Lauren Evans
Background Vocals: Siedah Garrett, Lauren Evans, Terri Harper, David A. Harper
Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum - Band: Piano, Keyboards: Isha Love; Guitar: Tak Nakazawa, Michael Angel Alvarado; Bass: Robin Bramlett; Percussion: David Leach; Drums: Forrest Robinson
Arrangements: Keyboard Arranger: Isha Love; Vocal Arranger: Lauren Evans; Band Arrangement: Forrest Robinson’s Funk Asylum
Production: Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson/Flowerpot Productions; Producer: Ralph Johnson; Producer & Creative Director: Forrest Robinson; Co-Producers: John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa; Associate Producer: Ken Rose

Key Credits

Producer Ralph Johnson

Producer & Creative Director Forrest Robinson

Executive Producer Lindsey Nelson

Vocal Arrangements Lauren Evans

Co-Producers John Clayton, David A. Harper, Terri Harper, Anna Festa

Horn Arrangements Aaron Janik

String Arrangement, “I Try” John Clayton

Engineer & Stereo Mix David Rideau

Stereo Mastering Gavin Lurssen

Recorded At Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, CA

View Full Credits →

The people behind the record

Album credits

Producer: Ralph Johnson

Producer & Creative Director, Drums: Forrest Robinson
Co-Producers: John Clayton
David A. Harper
Terri Harper
Anna Festa at Flowerpot Productions
Associate Producer: Ken Rose
Executive Producer: Lindsey Nelson at Flowerpot Productions

String Arrangement, “I Try”: John Clayton
Horn Arrangements: Aaron Janik
Vocal Arrangements: Lauren Evans

Engineer: David Rideau
Stereo Mix: David Rideau at Cane River Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA
Stereo Mastering: Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering
Atmos Mix: David Rideau at Cane River Studios and PMC Studio, Highland Park, CA
Atmos Mastering: Matt Cerritos and David Rideau at PMC Studio, Highland Park, CA
Assistant Engineer: Greg Foeller at Stagg Street Studios
Production Assistants: Justin Gilmore-Gresham and Chanin Storm

Album Art Direction and Design: Kenny Gravillis at Gravillis Inc.
Liner Notes (Creative Direction, writing, research, interviews & Editorial Direction): Anna Festa at Flowerpot Productions
Photography: Krystian Byrd at TwoSeven Studios
Melinda Roth at Melinda Roth Photography

Recorded At: Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, CA
Engineered by David Rideau
Instrument Rental & Rehearsal Facility: SIR Studios, Hollywood, CA

Public Relations: Ron Carter
Social Media: Natasha McCrea and Jordan McCrea
Brand Strategy & Creative Consulting: Dani Beutell / SOULPWR Creative
Anna Festa at Flowerpot Productions

The Band

Forrest Robinson

Drums · Musical Director · Creative Director

"The architect of Funk Asylum. A 2x Grammy Award winner and first-call drummer."

Read Bio →

Tak Nakazawa

Guitar

"He could channel the energy of James Brown and Hendrix." - FR

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Isha Love

Piano · Keyboards

"I met Isha at a gospel event and just knew." - FR

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Robin Bramlett

Bass · Synth Bass

"That conviction in her playing - the old Memphis stomp." - FR

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Michael Angel Alvarado

Guitar

"I heard him tune his guitar and said, That's it." - FR

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David Leach

Percussion

"When he flew - he flew." - Lindsey Nelson

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Lauren Evans

Vocals · Vocal Arranger

ASCAP Award Winner · Emmy Nominee · Latin Grammy Nominee

Read Bio →

David A. Harper

Vocals · Co-Producer

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Terri Harper

Vocals · Co-Producer

Read Bio →

Funk Asylum / In motion

Watch the band

Meet the musicians behind Vol. 1.

Watch the band below ↓

Sound on. Meet the band.Watch on YouTubeFunk Asylum · Vol. 1

Forrest Robinson standing with arms crossed in the studio, wearing a rust suede jacket — Forrest RobinsonDrums · Musical Director

Steward and bandleader

Forrest Robinson
& Funk Asylum

Forrest Robinson is a first-call drummer, musical director, and bandleader whose career spans decades of landmark recordings and live performance. He has performed and recorded alongside the Crusaders (Joe Sample and Wilton Felder) and Ray Parker Jr., and most recently produced Funk Asylum Vol. 1 alongside Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire - carrying the groove across genres and generations.

“I was a kid in Memphis when I first felt it. I didn’t know the names of the artists yet, but I knew I wanted to be part of that sound. I still do.”
- Forrest Robinson

The project began with Robinson’s desire to honor the musicians and recordings that shaped him while bringing that musical lineage into the present through a working ensemble.

“I wanted my elders to hear this and say, ‘Yes, that’s still us.’”
- Forrest Robinson

Press & praise

What People Are Saying

Voices from the press and the musicians behind Funk Asylum Vol. 1.

“Fierce originality and reverence.”

The Hype Magazine Dr. Jerry Doby · Music coverage

“A soulful, groove-rich reimagining.”

Smooth Jazz Daily On “I Try” · Album coverage

“Funk Asylum is well on their way to preserving funk and being true stewards of the genre.”

Ralph Johnson Earth, Wind & Fire · Album co-producer · Artist endorsement

Get in touch

Stay connected.

bookings@funk-asylum.com ↗

Funk AsylumVol. 1

For Your Consideration

Best R&B Album

Best Traditional R&B Performance

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

Listen to Vol. 1

Back Together Again

Album credits

The Band

Watch the band

Forrest Robinson& Funk Asylum

What People Are Saying

Stay connected.

Funk Asylum
Vol. 1

Forrest Robinson
& Funk Asylum