A lot of Bootsy’s albums involve a lot of funkin’ around, if you pardon the phrase. A lot of gibbering in and in between tracks. I’m pleased to report the emphasis here is on the tunes and the grooves, although he does disappear to the planet Bootsy on occasion.
World Wide Funk opens up the album and I’m glad to say all funks are blazing with a killer groove and added Buckethead noodling. Bass Rigged System is actually what it says. Three bass players, Bootsy, Victor Wooten, and Stanley Clarke giving it plenty with a Prince-style groove. Pusherman slows the pace slightly but it’s a deep and dirty groove. Thera-P closes out Side 1 and that really dirty groove keeps on a comin’. Love the vocal on this!
Hot Saucer opens up Side 2, and why wasn’t this released as a single? A very urban vocal and melody welded to the funkiest of grooves. Heaven Yes is a very laid back R’n’B groove. Ladies Night is a rap/funk crossover. Candy Coated Lover is a 70’s old school soul funk vibe. Snow Bunny sees a return to that heavy Prince style groove. Hi On Heels is my least favourite track on the album. A real slow urban groove doesn’t float my boat. A Salute To Bernie is next, and it’s a a bit of a throw away tune. Boomerang closes what is a quite an average side, and it’s the best song on the album. It has a killer superb funky groove that’s different to everything else on the album. The final side, other than Worth My While, is really stellar. Come Back Bootsy has that loose funky jam vibe ,with some great guitar from Eric Gales. The close out track Illusions is a monster rap/funk crossover and is my favourite, with Chuck D on vocals and Buckethead on guitar. This would have made a killer single album.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
