Bernie Worrell
Funk of Ages (Gramavision) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
From Parliament-Funkadelic`s golden years in the `70s to Talking Heads`
”Remain in Light,” keyboardist Bernie Worrell has been an integral part of funk history. ”Funk of Ages” is an overdue solo bow. Worrell`s surprisingly supple voice shines on a couple of melodic reggae numbers, ”Real Life Dreams” and ”Sing,” and he explores jazzier terrain on a Rahsaan Roland Kirk-Sun Ra medley. But the record takes off on smoldering funk workouts such as ”Don`t (Expletive) Me Off” and ”Beware of Dog,” in which three generations of greats-saxophonist Maceo Parker (of `60s James Brown fame), guitarist Vernon Reid and Worrell-fire away on all cylinders.
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