I Don't Even Know
Bernie Worrell · 2010
56 min · 14 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of funk grooves and soulful melodies, showcasing Worrell's innovative keyboard wizardry throughout each track.
Top tracks — play these first
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First Things First — Opening the album with infectious energy, this track introduces listeners to Worrell's signature sound while setting a funky tone that persists throughout.
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Tribal Up — This track showcases Worrell's experimental approach to rhythm and texture, blending traditional funk elements with modern sonic exploration.
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Hearin' Dis, Playin' Dat — With its playful interplay between instruments, this track exemplifies Worrell's ability to create dynamic arrangements that engage listeners on multiple levels.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Worrell's innovative keyboard work and varied rhythmic structures create a vibrant funk experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered keyboard textures, with Worrell often playing multiple synth lines simultaneously.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending them seamlessly into the funk grooves.
- The tempo varies significantly across the album, with some tracks maintaining a steady groove while others shift to more complex rhythms.
- The last track revisits themes from the opening song, creating a circular structure that ties the album together.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- vibrant grooves for dance parties
- headphone detail hunting for layers
- playful energy for social gatherings
- cathartic rhythms to uplift mood
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, introspective music
- want straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'I Don't Even Know' was released in 2010, Bernie Worrell had already established himself as a key figure in funk music, known for his work with Parliament-Funkadelic. This album serves as a testament to his enduring creativity, marking his first studio release after a five-year hiatus following 'The Big Funk,' highlighting both his evolution as an artist and the continued relevance of his musical vision.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Clinton· Herbie Hancock· Prince
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Sunrise
The bridge shifts into a more introspective mood, contemplating new beginnings and personal growth amidst an uplifting instrumental backdrop.
This moment contrasts with the song's earlier exuberance, allowing for a reflective pause that deepens the emotional impact of the narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 First Things First 4:21
- 2 Tribal Up 5:24
- 3 Shades of the Kid 3:30
- 4 Next 3:32
- 5 Thug 2:16
- 6 Refurbish 3:11
- 7 Tribale 5:49
- 8 Tree-Fore 3:33
- 9 One Rabbit 4:13
- 10 Judicious 4:06
- 11 Hearin' Dis, Playin' Dat 4:18
- 12 Sunrise 4:18
- 13 Beef 3:50
- 14 Once Again (First Things reprise) 4:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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