John
“Rabbit” Bundrick
Mr. Big Boss Man
Format:
CD – Vinyl LP – Digital
Label:
Suburban Records
Release:
2026
Release date: June 5, 2026
John “Rabbit” Bundrick is a highly respected American rock keyboardist, pianist, and organist whose distinctive sound has left a lasting mark on rock, blues, and reggae music
Best known for his expressive Hammond organ playing and soulful piano style, Bundrick has contributed to some of the most iconic recordings and live performances in modern music history.
Throughout his career, John “Rabbit” Bundrick has worked with an extraordinary range of legendary artists. He performed on albums and tours with The Who, where his keyboard work became an essential part of their live sound during the 1970s.
Beyond The Who, his credits include collaborations with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Roger Waters, Mick Jagger, Free, Back Street Crawler, and Crawler, among many others.
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This has been a LONG time coming, and in fact has been on the go in various forms for years! However, to finally have something new from Rabbit is a pleasure, and you can find this on CD and Vinyl, as well as digital download, if that's your thing.
Like the majority of Rabbit's work, it runs an ample breadth of musical styles and genres, but I'd say the main thrust is a Soul/Funk/Rock thang, probably in that order! There's a vast array of musicians and vocalists helping out here, and that includes old friends like Geoff Whitehorn (Crawler) and Juan van Emmerloot (who Rabbit knows from his work with Snowy White). Also singers like Gregg Kofi Brown (Osibisa), Jimmy Kunes (from Cactus/Savoy Brown), and Eddie Baird, from Amazing Blondel. Given this vast array of different contributions, the album does actually have a sense of coherency, which could easily have become muddled. It does sound like Rabbit, but without him doing any singing here, which is what I'm used to on a Rabbit album, it's good that this doesn't end up sounding like a compilation of different random artists. It does have an overall 'feel' and uniformity. All the songs are written by Rabbit, and you can tell it's him. There's great keyboards throughout, some fabulous Hammond, and his arrangements are tight and funky. Juan's drumming is right in the groove pocket and Geoff plays a blinder, so lots to enjoy. Hearing Eddie Baird singing the closing song brought a tear to my eye, another sadly deceased friend of the FAS, giving a final smile, and wave. Lovely.
Curiously the majority of the album is already on Youtube, which seems a bit odd if they want to get sales. But if you want to hear it all before you commit to buy, all but one song can be found there, with only 'Forever You' being missing. (link to the YT playlist below)
This is being touted as John 'Rabbit' Bundrick's final album, and given that he's driving rapidly toward being a ripe old 78, and has been dealing with some of the usual older-aged health stuff (comes to us all), then I can see that may be the case. But if you want to go out with a statement of musical wherewithal and talent, then this shows what we all really know. The final record from a hugely talented individual who, in his career, has pretty much done it all. Been there, done that, seen it all, got the T-shirt, and still kept going, because he's simply full of music. (DC)
Full 'Youtube' Playlist: - Click Here
John 'Rabbit' Bundrick - Mr. Big Boss Man
01.
What The Man Has To Say (feat. Gregg Kofi Brown & Leslie
Smith)
02. Nkosi B
(feat. Gregg Kofi Brown)
03.
Asylum (feat. Jimmy Kunes)
04.
Mr. Big Boss Man (feat. Jay Fleming)
05.
Grownups (feat. Ben Rodenburg)
06.
Living On A Level (feat. Gregg Kofi Brown)
07.
Africa ’25 (feat. Damian Corlazzoli)
08.
Hole In My Head (feat. Jamie Bruhn)
09.
Funky James (feat. Andreas Suntrop)
10.
Salty Popcorn (feat. Ben Rodenburg)
11.
Send Your Love (feat. Eddie Baird)
FEATURING ARTISTS: Jay Fleming, Jamie Bruhn, Jimmy Kunes, Leslie Smith, Gregg Kofi Brown, Ben Rdnburg, Damian Corlazzoli, Roberto Tiranti, Andreas Suntrop, Eddie Baird.
MUSICIANS:
John
Bundrick,
Juan van Emmerloot, Age Kat, Jeroen
de Rijk,
Paola
Zadra Full,
Simone
Ewouds,
Walter
Latupeirissa,
Geoff
Whitehorn,
Brian
Bordes,
Martin
Verdonk,
Frederike
Schonis,
Bobby
Jacobs,
Daan
Hadiedaan
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"Mr. Big Boss Man" on CD presents
John "Rabbit" Bundrick as a seasoned musician whose
soulful keyboard work and songwriting have long impressed fans of
roots rock, blues and classic rock. On this release, Bundrick
blends earthy blues grooves with melodic rock elements, creating
an intimate, song-driven album that highlights his expressive
playing and mature, emotionally resonant vocal and instrumental
arrangements. The tracks move between reflective, slow-burning
pieces and more driving, rhythm-focused songs, always carried by
warm analogue-style production that puts the keyboards and
songcraft at the center. This CD is ideal for listeners who
appreciate authentic, musician-led albums with strong melodies and
a timeless feel rather than trend-driven productions. |
