World wide funk

"One of funk's most important, most eccentric artists, Bootsy Collins's aim on this latest record was to "create a mystical monster born between a pee-hole and a[n] asshole". It's hard to judge how successful World Wide Funk is on those terms, but the bassist/singer-songwriter's ninth solo album has plenty to offer. Anachronistic at times, it's still endearingly schmaltzy, with Kali Uchis's delicious intonations, smooth rap from Blvck Seeds, and twinkling, Dilla-esque keys on Hi-on-Heels (co-written and produced by Snoop Dogg). Collins's relentlessly strutting bass and strangely sensual, commanding vocals shine throughout. Nearly 50 years since his first band, Bootsy's still got the funk".

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"As colorful as its packaging with high spirits to match, World Wide Funk is loaded with enough guests to pack the mothership, with late P-Funk associate Bernie Worrell, Stanley Clarke, Chuck D, Musiq Soulchild, and Kali Uchis a small representation of the cross-generational attendees. After some spoken mythology from Iggy Pop, the album kicks into gear with a go-go title track that somehow leaves enough space for Doug E. Fresh's jovial beat-boxing and rhymes, and Buckethead's characteristically flashy guitar solo. Apart from a handful of interspersed ballads - one heartfelt, a couple on the sleazy side - that high energy level is kept up throughout, with inspired playing from all of the involved across cuts that mostly bounce and sometimes glide across the dancefloor. A clever move among a few is the slight resemblance of slow jam "Worth My While" to "I'd Rather Be with You," the 1976 Bootsy hit that Childish Gambino referenced 40 years later for "Redbone," certifiedtripleplatinum just a month prior to this album's release. Even without that affirmation, it would be clear that Bootsy's relevance remains everlasting".

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