Worldwide Underground, the third studio album from nu-soul pioneer Erykah Badu, is both a marvel of jazz smooth sensuality and misguided genius. Without question, Badu was--and clearly still is--an original; her 1997 debut album Baduizm, a rich and unexpected fusion of soul, jazz and rootsy hip-hop, paved the way for Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, India Arie, Macy Gray and Alicia Keys. However, as with her last album, Mama's Gun, it's her pioneering spirit that's actually … mehrWorldwide Underground's stumbling block. The gorgeous "I Want You" is a prime example. Starting off with the simple trick of chanted notes which mutate into a fantastically sexy groove, it's the album's woozy highlight until, inexplicably, it breaks into bizarre snarling synth riffs and jazz-fusion noodling. On the one hand it's a stroke of stripped-back brilliance; on the other it's a fragmented mess. Elsewhere the barrage of influences, ideas and production add-ons, while ensuring that things are never dull, make for confused and chaotic listening. Yet with "Bump It Up" and "Danger"'s hypnotic melodies, "Woo"'s head nodding sway and a raft of smooching soul tunes like "Think Twice" and Back in the Day (Puff)" to get lost in, she still manages to mesmerise, even when she's trying way too hard. --Dan Gennoe weniger
1 - Intro - World Keeps Turnin'
2 - Bump It
3 - Back In The Day (Puff)
4 - I Want You
5 - Woo… mehr
6 - The Grind
7 - Danger
8 - Think Twice
9 - Love Of My Life Worldwide
10 - Outro - World Keeps Turnin' weniger