Search - Erykah Badu :: Worldwide Underground

David O. (ducky) from STONE MTN, GA
Reviewed on 4/3/2011...

The genre is R&B neo-soul, adult contemporary R&B, contemporary R&B, The so-called "EP" that will make many Erykah Badu skeptics wonder what's going on is actually 15 minutes longer than What's Going On. Why would any musician want to call a recording of such length -- 50 minutes, to be precise -- an EP? The fact that Worldwide Underground is being referred to as an EP makes it apparent that it isn't intended to be considered the true follow-up to Mama's Gun. You also find out throughout the course of the disc that the loose, spare arrangements aren't likely to generate a stream of tidy, four-minute Top Ten hits. As easy as the disc is to slide into, it's far and away the least commercial R&B release of the year. Written, produced, and performed by Freakquency -- a seemingly ad hoc group consisting of Badu, James Poyser, Rashad "Ringo" Smith, and R.C. Williams -- along with a revolving door of guests, the whole thing goes down more like a weekend jam session than an endlessly labored-over, polished project. For the most part, this is a good thing. Both "Bump It" and "I Want You" are over eight minutes in length, leaving plenty of space to establish relaxed atmospheres that are built on uncomplicated rhythms, twinkling keyboards, and vaporous textures. "Back in the Day (Puff)" and "Danger" are the two most single-oriented tracks; the former's essentially a more filled-out version of one of the extended pieces in miniature form, while the latter is the toughest sounding of the whole batch, with punchy, synthetic horn jabs and Badu's most animated vocal. A new version of "Love of My Life" caps off the disc in fine, fun style, with Badu paying tribute to the all-female, old-school trio Sequence, with the help of Angie Stone, Bahamadia, and Queen Latifah. If Worldwide Underground isn't to be taken as seriously as Baduizm and Mama's Gun, so be it; but it only goes to show how apprehensive the powers that be are in allowing their platinum artists to deviate from what's expected. by Andy Kellman

Bumpin' it and bumpin' it well

rmcrae | Houston, Texas | 05/28/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're new to Erykah, skip this one. It's more abstract and less focused making it the least accessible of all her albums. That's also what makes it so interesting. After a bad case of writer's block in early 2003, Badu set out on her month long Frustrated Artist tour to get the creative juices flowing. Shortly after the tour wrapped, Worldwide Underground was born. Two of the songs exceed 8 to 10 minutes while the others range from 4 to 5.



Bump It starts out well with a Zap Mama flavored beat, but the repetitive lyrics (Push up the fader/Bust the meter/Shake the tweeter/Bump it - Well Well Well) and directionless flow make it feel longer than it's actual 8:49 run. You might have to be in a certain mood to enjoy it. The 5 minute Back In The Day (Puff) is easier to digest with it's feel good, summery vibe. Erykah likes to puff? Get outta town! I Want You takes a while to get going, but turns into Chaka styled funk fest when it does. The first 2 minutes of a heartbeat and Lenny Kravitz's out of nowhere guitar solo are head scratchers, but quirky additions.



Woo is a 70s soul meets modern day hip hop head bobber and The Grind focuses on the hardships of poverty. Both end too quickly. Danger is a horn spiked sequel to Baduizm's Otherside Of The Game. I love how high energy it is compared to the laidback original. Think Twice gets going with an intimate setting, but gets the plug pulled right when it's getting good. What's up with that, Badu?



Queen Latifah, Angie Stone, and Bahamadia get on board for the delectably 80s remix to Love Of My Life. This so called EP isn't for everybody and takes time to grow on you, but take your time before giving it a go. And Badu's world keeps turnin' on & on & on....."