When it got here to assembling Bernie Worrell: Wave from the WOOniverse, an enormous challenge involving rummaging by means of dozens of recording periods of half-finished songs within the late funk pioneer’s archives, musical director and producer Evan Taylor knew he’d be bringing in some very particular visitors. On the highest of his checklist was Mike Watt (the Minutemen, the Stooges), who was somebody each he and Worrell had labored with earlier than.
“It’s not only a consolation degree of working with individuals you’re used to and that you simply love and admire and respect, however with this challenge particularly, I needed to verify we had individuals on the album that Bernie additionally liked and revered. Mike Watt and I not solely labored on many tasks collectively exterior of Bernie over time, however he had collaborated on a number of events with Bernie, together with stay with the Bernie Worrell Orchestra,” says Taylor, who toured with Worrell within the Bernie Worrell Orchestra with Watt and produced Bernie Worrell: Wave from the WOOniverse, which additionally options Jerry Harrison (Speaking Heads), Fred Schneider (the B-52s), Sean Ono Lennon, and others.
Watt is featured on the observe, “Pedro WOO,” which was the primary track Taylor started engaged on for this bold challenge in 2022. “Bernie wrote the track and carried out the synth solo, almost certainly on a Minimoog, and the vocals on the finish. I had [P-Funk’s] Bootsy Collins take a take heed to it first to assist with the association and construction. He helped tighten it up and identified what he favored and issues he didn’t like. He’s very exact. I performed some ARP Professional Soloist and ARP Solina String Ensemble to pay tribute to the sounds I had grown so accustomed to over my tenure with Bernie,” says Taylor, who started working with Worrell in 2009 and co-produced three of the Rock and Roll Corridor of Famer’s data — the acclaimed 2010 Requirements and two EPs Prequel and BWO Is Touchdown.
The subsequent step was sending the observe to Watt in San Pedro, California. “He took it in a path I didn’t anticipate,” admits Taylor. “He had distinctive harmonic concepts that he integrated to elevate the track right into a soul/post-punk hybrid. It was just like the tonality of post-punk bass superimposed on funk.”
In case you’re questioning who Pedro WOO is, Taylor reveals, “Pedro WOO is a frame of mind, combining the quirkiness of the WOOniverse (Bernie’s residence) and the distinctive funk of San Pedro (Mike Watt’s residence).”
Submit-punk meets funk isn’t the one style bender on the 13-track double album, which explores many sides of Worrell’s musical life. There’s additionally “Transcendence,” which leans into his classical roots, “The Huge WOO,” which showcases his humorous aspect, and “Re-Enter Black Mild (Section II), which seems like a cinematic jazz fusion dream, amongst a bevy of funkadelic songs and different musical gems.
Of the eclectic nature of the discharge, Musoscribe.com says, “The music is as all-over-the-place as that roster would recommend, however the unifying ingredient is Worrell’s always-compelling, all the time lyrical keyboard work. There are hovering and soothing instrumental tunes, deep-fried funk, up-tempo dance numbers, and extra.”
Right here’s what different critics are saying concerning the launch: “Put together to be transported to the far reaches of the musical cosmos with Wave From the WOOniverse.” (Psychedelic Child journal) “Worrell’s essence and affinity for collaboration are really on show all through this epic 13-song observe checklist.” (One West journal)
Bernie Worrell: Wave from the WOOniverse was launched on Org Music initially on vinyl on File Retailer Day (April 20, 2024) after which digitally and on CD in August 2024 in any respect DSPs (linktr.ee/bernieworrell). The lineup consists of Bootsy Collins (James Brown, P-Funk), Jerry Harrison (Speaking Heads), Fred Schneider (the B-52s), Mike Watt (The Minutemen, The Stooges), Leo Nocentelli (The Meters) and Sean Ono-Lennon, Leo Nocentelli, Miho Hatori, Steve Scales, Marc Ribot, Fred Wesley, Marco Benevento, Stanton Moore, Steven Bernstein, Daru Jones, Will Calhoun, Buckethead, Norwood Fisher, and lots of extra.
“Pedro WOO” Manufacturing Credit:
Evan Taylor: Keyboards
Tim Younger: Guitars, Electrical Sitar
Davey Chegwidden: Percussion
Michael Jerome Moore: Drums
Gang vocals: John Nyboer, Ricky Martinez, Evan Taylor
Engineered by Spencer Guerra
Watt recorded at tHUNDERpANTS in San Pedro
Blended by Spencer Guerra
Produced by Evan Taylor
Mastered by Steven Berson at Complete Sonic Media, Cedar Park, Texas (digital tracks) and Dave Gardner (vinyl tracks)
Along with the brand new album, followers can catch Evan Taylor on April 16 at Nublu in New York Metropolis because the Bernie Worrell Orchestra reunites for a efficiency in honor of Bernie’s birthday at a celebration sponsored by Black Rock Coalition.
Bernie Worrell: Wave from the WOOniverse observe itemizing:
1. Intro (Reflections on a Fowl) – Feat. Nick Montoya
2. Distant Star – Feat. Jerry Harrison, Paul Dooley, Alecia Chakour, Invisible Familiars
3. What Have They Executed To My Funk – Feat. Bootsy Collins, Michael Moon Reuben, Ouiwey Collins, Buckethead
4. Heapin’; Bowl Of Gumbo – Feat. Leo Nocentelli, Fred Wesley, Stanton Moore, Lonnie Marshall
5. Re-Enter Black Mild (Section II) – Feat. Sean Ono Lennon
6. The Huge WOO – Feat. Fred Schneider, Binky Griptite, Marco Benevento, Jaleel Bunton, Kyp Malone, Ana Becker
7. Greenpoint – Feat. Steve Bernstein, Mauro Refosco, Smokey Hormel, Scott Hogan, Michael Jerome Moore
8. Troopers Of The Stars – Feat. Daru Jones, Eric McFadden
9. When The Rain Subsides – Feat. Will Calhoun
10. Pedro WOO – Feat. Mike Watt
11. Contusion – Funkadelic
12. Transcendence – Feat. Marc Ribot, Norwood Fisher
13. Wave From The WOOniverse – Feat. Miho Hatori, Sarah La Puerta, Invisible Familiars
