Evan Taylor is a Hollywood-based producer, songwriter, & multi-instrumentalist. Taylor is also the owner & operator of boutique record label, Loantaka Records, and sister studio Loantaka Sound. He is also the former Bernie Worrell Orchestra bandleader Evan Taylor who’s latest production is the posthumous release, Bernie Worrell: Wave From The WOOniverse. It’s a double album concocted in 14 cities, issued on 12” LP vinyl a day after Bernie’s birthday, (April 19) on Record Store Day 2024 by Org Music in conjunction with Loantaka Records as a Record Store Day “exclusive.” As of today, it’s available via streaming platforms. A co-release from Loantaka Records & Org Music is available on CD August 16th, 2024. Taylor has remained behind the scenes for most of his career. He worked in various capacities with Bernie, mike watt, Money Mark, Theresa Wayman (Warpaint), King Tuff, The Chapin Sisters, and Jimmy Destri of Blondie. He has participated in eclectic recording projects and performed with practically every member of Talking Heads. Evan’s also released a string of critically acclaimed singles as part of the Art-Rock duo Purple Witch of Culver. Evan has never identified with the archetype of “cosmic Funkateer.” He grew up with diverse tastes that ran from The Beach Boys to Prince. As a producer his brand has been “staying off-brand.” In 2022, Taylor was presented with a unique opportunity he felt he had been preparing for his entire career. Bernie Worrell: Wave From The WOOniverse addresses the abundance of unfinished work Bernie Worrell, a prolific writer & visionary, left behind when he passed away in 2016. These compositions remained untouched for a period of decades, collecting dust on reels of two-inch analog tape. Eventually, the tapes were re-examined to analyze Bernie’s nuanced & creative method. After a period of deep reflection, the Bernie Worrell estate decided it was time to complete his vision. The list of innovators who wanted to participate and make sure this initiative was completed with dedication to preserving the integrity of the magic which makes Bernie a beloved extraordinary soul. Also included on the album is a previously unreleased Funkadelic track, “Contusion,” which showcases Bernie’s masterful work with the legendary, pathfinding group.
1. Intro (Reflections on a Bird) – Feat. Nick Montoya
2. Distant Star – Feat. Jerry Harrison with Paul Dooley, Alecia Chakour & Invisible Familiars
3. What Have they Done to My Funk – Feat. Bootsy Collins, Michael Moon Reuben, Ouiwey Collins, & Buckethead
4. Heapin’ Bowl of Gumbo – Feat. Leo Nocentelli, Fred Wesley, Stanton Moore with Lonnie Marshall
5. Re-Enter Black Light (Phase II) – Feat. Sean Lennon
6. The Big WOO – Feat. Fred Schneider with Binky Griptight, Marco Benevento, Kyp Malone, Jaleel Bunton, & Steve Scales
7. Greenpoint – Feat. Steven Bernstein with Smokey Hormel, Mauro Refosco, Scott Hogan, & Michael Jerome
8. Soldiers of the Stars Feat. Daru Jones & Eric McFadden
9. When The Rain Subsides – Feat. Will Calhoun
10. Pedro WOO – Feat. Mike Watt
11. Contusion (Funkadelic)
12. Transcendence – Feat. Marc Ribot & Norwood Fisher
13. Wave From the WOOniverse – feat. Miho Hatori with Sarah La Puerta, Steve Scales & Invisible Familiars
I had the chance to catch with with Evan to get some insider views into the sounds. We get deep into this posthumous record from friend of the proGram, Dr. Bernie Worrell, from the invitation to get involved to the creation of and the invites to the many artists who contributed. We specifically get into a few of the folks, and it was as if Evan was reading my mind on the people he picked to talk about. We talked a bit about process and the choosing of who will work with who. What a cool time. We talked about the relationships formed between the two, and how getting back into some of this music was not a jump into the fire moment for Evan, he had to make sure he could get through emotions attached. We also talk about his label, Loantaka Records and one of his strangest projects.
