Blacktronic Science is the third solo album by the former Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell. The album was released by Gramavision Records in 1993.
Production The album was produced by Worrell and Bill Laswell. 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. Tony Williams played drums on some of the tracks. Sly Dunbar provided the drum loop for "Dissinfordollars".
Critical reception
USA Today deemed the album an "ambitious, wildly eclectic project." 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."
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." The Oregonian wrote that Worrell "uses hip hop and '60s jazz organ stylings as two elements in his alchemical new masterpiece."
Track listing
"Revelation in Black Light" (Worrell) 2:24 "Flex" (Worrell, James Sumbi, Bill Laswell, Mike Small, George Clinton) 6:03 "Time Was (Events in the Elsewhere)" (Worrell, George Clinton, Bill Laswell, Bootsy Collins) 7:20 "Blood Secrets" (Worrell) 6:47 "Dissinfordollars" (Worrell, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins) 6:30 "The Vision" (Worrell, James Sumbi, Mike Small, Bill Laswell) 8:03 "Won't Go Away" (Worrell, Mike Small, Bill Laswell) 5:56 "X-Factor" (Worrell, Maceo Parker) 11:51 "Disappearance" (Worrell) 0:51
Personnel
"Revelation in Black Light" Harpsichord: Bernie Worrell Material Strings: Arranged by Bernie Worrell
"Flex" Organ, Mini Moog: Bernie Worrell Guitar: Bootsy Collins Saxophone: Maceo Parker Trombone: Fred Wesley Loops: Bill Laswell Beats: Bill Laswell, Darryl Mack Vocals: James Sumbi aka J-Sumbi (All & All and Freestyle Fellowship), Mike G, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Gary Cooper
"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