Blacktronic Science

Blacktronic Science
Studio album by
Bernie Worrell
Released1993
GenreFunk
Length55:57
LabelGramavision
ProducerBernie Worrell, Bill Laswell
Bernie Worrell chronology
Funk of Ages
(1990) 		Blacktronic Science
(1993) 		Pieces of Woo: The Other Side
(1993)

Blacktronic Science is the third solo album by the former Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell.[1][2] The album was released by Gramavision Records in 1993.[3]

Production

The album was produced by Worrell and Bill Laswell.[4] It is a P-Funk reunion of sorts, as it contains guest appearances by George Clinton, bassist Bootsy Collins, trombonist Fred Wesley, singer Gary "Mudbone" Cooper, and saxophonist Maceo Parker.[5][6] Tony Williams played drums on some of the tracks.[7] Sly Dunbar provided the drum loop for "Dissinfordollars".[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Chicago Tribune[3]
The Indianapolis Star[6]
The Philadelphia Inquirer[10]
USA Today[5]

USA Today deemed the album an "ambitious, wildly eclectic project."[5] The Austin American-Statesman noted that it finds Worrell "extending the Mothership Connection into the hip-hop age, while a couple of string-laden chamber cuts reflect his classical training."[11]

The Philadelphia Inquirer determined that "Worrell seems to be expanding the definition of funk by juxtaposing it with other traditions ... 'Revelation in Black Light' features [Worrell] playing some lyrical harpsichord with an overlay of strings that has an almost baroque feel to it."[10] The Oregonian wrote that Worrell "uses hip hop and '60s jazz organ stylings as two elements in his alchemical new masterpiece."[12]

Track listing

  1. "Revelation In Black Light" (Worrell) 2:24
  2. "Flex" (Worrell, James Sumbi, Bill Laswell, Mike Small, George Clinton) 6:03
  3. "Time Was (Events in the Elsewhere)" (Worrell, George Clinton, Bill Laswell, Bootsy Collins) 7:20
  4. "Blood Secrets" (Worrell) 6:47
  5. "Dissinfordollars" (Worrell, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins) 6:30
  6. "The Vision" (Worrell, James Sumbi, Mike Small, Bill Laswell) 8:03
  7. "Won't Go Away" (Worrell, Mike Small, Bill Laswell) 5:56
  8. "X-Factor" (Worrell, Maceo Parker) 11:51
  9. "Disappearance" (Worrell) 0:51

Personnel

"Revelation in Black Light"

  • Harpsichord: Bernie Worrell
  • Material Strings: Arranged by Bernie Worrell

"Flex"

"Time Was"

  • Organ, Synthesizer, Mini Moog, Melodica: Bernie Worrell
  • Cowbells: Aïyb Dieng
  • Samples: Bill Laswell
  • Vocals: Bernie Worrell, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Gary Cooper, Debra Barsha

"Blood Secrets"

  • Organ: Bernie Worrell
  • Alto Saxophone: Maceo Parker
  • Drums: Tony Williams

"Dissinfordollars"

  • Synthesizer, Clavinet, Mini Moog: Bernie Worrell
  • Guitar: Bootsy Collins
  • Alto Saxophone: Maceo Parker
  • Trombone: Fred Wesley
  • Drum Loop: Sly Dunbar
  • Chatan: Aĩyb Dieng
  • Sound Effects: Bill Laswell
  • Vocals: George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Gary Cooper

"The Vision"

  • Clavinet, Synthesizer, Electric Piano: Bernie Worrell
  • Acoustic Bass: Bootsy Collins
  • Alto Saxophone: Maceo Parker
  • Trombone: Fred Wesley
  • Drum Loop: Sly Dunbar
  • Talking Drums, Chaton, Cowbells: Aiyb Dieng
  • Vocals: James Sumbi, Mike G

"Won't Go Away"

  • Synthesizer, Clavinet, Mini Moog: Bernie Worrell
  • Material Strings: Arranged by Bernie Worrell
  • Guitar: Bootsy Collins
  • Loops: Bill Laswell
  • Vocals: Mike G, George Clinton, Gary Cooper

"X-Factor"

  • Organ: Bernie Worrell
  • Flute, Alto Saxophone: Maceo Parker
  • Drums: Tony Williams

"Disappearance"

  • Material Strings-arranged by Bernie Worrell

Conducted by Karl Berger

References

  1. ^ Matos, Michaelangelo (June 25, 2016). "10 Definitive Bernie Worrell Moments". Billboard.
  2. ^ Rideout, Ernie (January 15, 2011). "Keyboard Presents Synth Gods". Berklee Press – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b Kot, Greg (3 June 1993). "Bernie Worrell Blacktronic Science". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  4. ^ "Album reviews — Blacktronic Science by Bernie Worrell". Billboard. 105 (16): 52. Apr 17, 1993.
  5. ^ a b c Jones IV, James T. (20 Apr 1993). "Bernie Worrell, Blacktronic Science". USA Today. p. 8D.
  6. ^ a b Ford, Lynn Dean (21 May 1993). "Bernie Worrell 'Blacktronic Science'". The Indianapolis Star. p. D13.
  7. ^ Gettelman, Parry (23 Apr 1993). "THE J.B. HORNS, BERNIE WORRELL". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 10.
  8. ^ Greenman, Ben (May 12, 1993). "Blinded by Science - Update that periodic table: A new element's just in, and it's named Bootium". Music. Miami New Times.
  9. ^ Blacktronic Science at AllMusic
  10. ^ a b Stark, Karl (11 May 1993). "BERNIE WORRELL Blacktronic Science". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E7.
  11. ^ McLeese, Don (22 Apr 1993). "Bernie Worrell. Blacktronic Science". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 5.
  12. ^ Hughley, Marty (June 27, 1993). "But the traffic at the jazz/hip-hop intersection is getting heavy...". The Oregonian. p. E1.