Afrika Bambaataa - 1986 - Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere)

Afrika Bambaataa

1986

Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere)

01. Bambaataa's Theme (Assault On Precinct 13) 5:05

02. Tension 5:18

03. Rock America 5:53

04. Kick Out The Jams 6:17

05. Funk Jam Party 5:47

06. Funk You 6:49

07. Bionic Kats 4:36

08. What Time Is It 5:58

09. Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere) (Silent Version) 0:20

Performer – Anton Fier, Bernard Fowler, Bernie Worrell, Bill Laswell, Cindy Mizelle, Craig Derry, Doug Wimbish, Eric Calvi, Fred Fowler, Gavin Christopher, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Jason Corsaro, Keith LeBlanc, Leroi Evans, Michael Hampton, Michael Jonzun, Nicky Skopelitis, Pat Thrall, Paul Pesco, Rae Serrano, Rob Stevens, Robin Halpin, Screamin' Rachael, Skip McDonald, Steve Knutson, Vince Madison

Producer – Afrika Bambaataa

In 1986, Afrika Bambaataa, the undisputed godfather of hip-hop and founder of the Universal Zulu Nation, dropped a warning shot: the funk is everywhere, and it's coming for your speakers. Released on Tommy Boy Records, Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere) is a wild, sprawling electro-funk adventure that feels like Bambaataa invited every funky friend he knew to a jam session and hit record. Coming hot off the heels of the groundbreaking Planet Rock: The Album, this one dials up the experimentation, blending hip-hop beats with rock guitars and enough groove to make even the stiffest listener twitch. But beware (pun very much intended): at 46 minutes of mostly instrumental-heavy tracks, it's the kind of album that either electrifies your soul or leaves you checking if your turntable skipped. The funk is everywhere... but sometimes it's hiding in a six-minute guitar solo.

This isn't a solo affair; it's credited to Afrika Bambaataa & Family, and "family" here means an all-star roster of producers, musicians, and vocalists. Bambaataa himself produces several tracks, but he shares the helm with a dream team:

ey Producers: Bill Laswell (bringing his avant-funk Material magic, especially on the standout cover), Rae Serrano, Keith LeBlanc, Skip McDonald, Doug Wimbish (the Tackhead crew delivering heavy bass and drums), Michael Jonzun, Eric Calvi, Gavin Christopher, and Lee Evans.

Vocalists: Grandmaster Melle Mel (adding authentic old-school rap grit), Bernard Fowler, Robin Halpin, Craig Derry, and Cindy Mizelle.

Musicians: Bernie Worrell (Parliament-Funkadelic legend on keyboards), guitarists like Nicky Skopelitis, Paul Pesco, Michael Ciro, Pat Thrall, and Michael Hampton; drums/percussion from Anton Fier; and relentless scratches from DJs in the Zulu Nation orbit. It's a collaborative explosion, with Laswell and the Tackhead guys injecting industrial edge, while Worrell and the funk veterans keep the P-Funk spirit alive.

Sonically, Beware is mid-'80s electro-funk on steroids: booming 808 beats, scratching, synth basslines, and – the big twist – layers of rock guitars that make it feel like a bridge between hip-hop and rap-rock experiments. Tracks average 5-6 minutes, giving room for extended jams, breakdowns, and builds.

Highlights include:

"Bambaataa's Theme (Assault on Precinct 13)": A moody opener sampling John Carpenter's score, with tense synths and building percussion.

"Kick Out the Jams": A ferocious cover of MC5's proto-punk anthem, transformed by Laswell into a guitar-shredding electro monster – easily the album's peak.

"Funk You": Explicit, groovy, and unapologetic, with heavy funk bass.

The closer: A 21-second "silent version" of the title track that's literally just silence – a cheeky joke, or perhaps a warning that the real funk lingers in your head.

Production is dense and layered, courtesy of pros like Laswell (dub influences) and the Tackhead rhythm section (tight, menacing grooves). It's not as hook-driven as "Planet Rock"; instead, it's atmospheric and instrumental-leaning, with raps taking a backseat to the groove. Technically solid, but the length and repetition can feel formless – like a killer party that goes on a bit too long.

Contemporary reviews were mixed. Robert Christgau gave it a B, praising its musical edge over contemporaries but calling out its "formlessness." Melody Maker trashed it as redundant and boring, while Spin Alternative Record Guide landed at 6/10. Modern retrospectives are kinder in niche circles (e.g., electro and funk enthusiasts love the experimentation), but user scores hover low – around 58/100 on sites like Album of the Year. Critics appreciated the ambition, but many felt it lacked the revolutionary punch of Bambaataa's earlier singles.

Beware is a cult classic in the electro-funk canon, showcasing Bambaataa's willingness to fuse genres long before rap-rock became a thing (hello, early influence on acts like Bomb Squad or even later nu-metal). The Laswell/Tackhead collaborations foreshadowed industrial hip-hop, and tracks like "Kick Out the Jams" remain DJ favorites for their raw energy. It's not as universally celebrated as "Planet Rock," often overshadowed by Bambaataa's pioneering singles, but it proves his visionary status: the man who turned Kraftwerk samples into global anthems wasn't afraid to get weird with guitars and funk.

That said, Bambaataa's personal controversies in later years (allegations from 2016 onward) have complicated his legacy, making retrospectives rarer and more nuanced. Musically, though? This album still slaps – a bold reminder that in 1986, the funk really was everywhere, sneaking into rock, electro, and beyond. If you're craving extended grooves and don't mind a little chaos, crank it up. Just beware: you might start air-guitaring in public. Highly recommended for funk archaeologists; approach with caution if you prefer tight pop structures.