OK, I guess I need to admit up front it wasn’t just me. I recently became aware that Bernie Worrell had a Kickstarter campaign going. I’ve been a long-time fan of Bernie’s, going back to his days with Parliament/Funkadelic. He co-wrote many of their great songs and was a key performer and arranger for those group(s). He’s also played with a Who’s Who list of well-known artists over the decades.
Some of Bernie’s friends started highlighting his Kickstarter campaign on Twitter, where he was trying to raise funds for a touring van for his current nine-piece orchestra. I thought since I had enjoyed so much of his music over the years, the least I could do was make a small contribution toward the cause. As you probably know, if a Kickstarter project meets its goal you get rewarded depending on your level of contribution. Well, this one met its goal and my rewards included an autographed photo…
…as well as downloads of two of his albums – “Standards” and “Blacktronic Science.”
The “Standards” album (from 2011) is truth in advertising; an album of jazz standards, many with unique interpretations. Bernie, as you would guess, is featured on keyboards throughout. The mix of instrumentation runs from solo through to his full orchestra. Some highlights for me include a slower, solo piano version of “Take the ‘A’ Train.” It’s an unusual take compared to the more familiar big band version, but is beautiful. The full orchestra plays a funky version of “Watermelon Man.” That’s already a funky song, be they “up the ante” and the horns really add a nice dimension to the mix. I also like their spacey version of “Take 5,” but the whole album is recommended.
“Blacktronic Science” (from 1993) is another beast altogether. This album is a real mixed bag, from the orchestral opening track “Revelation in Black Light,” to the P-Funk of number like “Time Was” and “Dissinfordollars,” to the more jazzy “Blood Secrets” and “X-Factor.” It’s almost too eclectic at times to hold together well as an album, but P-Funk fans and Bernie fans will find things to like. And you can never go too wrong with the involvement of people like George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bill Laswell and Maceo Parker.
While I’m happy Bernie got his van, all in all I feel like I may have gotten the better end of the deal. Now if he’ll just get that van with his band inside to my town…