Bernie Worrell / Bill Laswell / Karsh Kale | Funkcronomic

Bernie Worrell / Bill Laswell / Karsh Kale
Funkcronomic
Musical Reflection by A. Scott Galloway

Keyboard genius Bernie Worrell a.k.a. “Wizard of Woo,” drops us off at the launching pad of his next phase with a parting gift of groove that – in a just and funky world – will become the Ride On soundtrack of The Summer of 16. Hangin’ with old crony bassist/producer Bill Laswell and drummer Karsh Kale, Worrell came up with a 5-song EP of lean, mean Caddy cruisin’ joints guaranteed to relax your mind. The opener, “Woo Doo,” is a night theme supreme that leads into “Flashlight Redux,” juxtaposing a new bass line from Laswell over a remix of Worrell’s classic keyboard lines from the Parliament Funk essential. “Outer Woo” is just like the title sounds: an interlude of cosmic keyboard meditation that dissolves into another cool night cruiser with percussion added to the soundtrack (segues tightly with Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey & Mutiny’s “Rome Dog Roaming II” from 2013). “Flashback” is the stankiest cut of the bunch – gangsta boogie on the strength. And the closer, “Shochurolling,” is that soulfully sentimental end theme over which we watch Bernie fly on into utha atmospheres. In the final analysis, this might just be the most consistent, relaxed and accessible woo both Bernie and Bill have ever lain down. Un-fussed-over and free, it’s a parting Polaroid of masters at play that P-Funkateers will forever chill to when everything is on The One.

A. Scott Galloway
Music Editor
The Urban Music Scene
June 17, 2016