In the same article that, more than a year ago, had him obliquely explaining away the death of Handsome Boys Modeling school to business disagreements with former collaborator Dan the Automator, Prince Paul made reference to a potential project with Bernie Worrell, the oft-sampled, P-Funk and Talking Heads backing keyboard legend of funk. Back then Prince Paul insisted, “I don't want people to think it's like some hip-hop beats over him playing. We're trying to invent something.” With the additional full-on contributions of Newkirk, the unlikely trio comprises Baby Elephant and their first full length, Turn My Teeth Up!.
Bernie Worrell grew up a piano prodigy with a self-penned concerto under his belt by age eight, a seat in the Washington Symphony Orchestra at ten and an alliance with George Clinton in his college days that would grow into a prominent position within the Parliament-Funkadelic collective, for which Worrell wrote many key arrangements and songs. After touring and playing with the Talking Heads for much of their career, Worrell has of late been known for his presence in the jam band scene as the keystone of Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriers, though he also appeared on Mos Def's 2004 The New Danger.
Prince Paul was originally a member of Stretsasonic, and along with an ongoing solo career, he has contributed to the Gravediggaz collective, and later, Handsome Boys Modeling School.
The album includes contributions from David Byrne, George Clinton, Yellowman, Shock G, Nona Hendryx, DJ Roc Raida, Reggie Watts, Gabby La La “and more.”
