New Deal Recordings Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Move over Robbie Shakespeare. This latest LP from the Jazz dealers over at Impulse! Records have officially proposed Pino Balladino for the title of 'world's best session bassist'. After a four-decade career as a supporting player for many landmark neo-soul acts like Paul Young, Erykah Badu and D'Angelo, this album hears Palladino team up with equally prolific fellow bassist Blake Mills for a duetty masterpiece. A blend of styles from funk, West African and Cuban music, this album is somewhat of a democratic instrumental process, with choice cuts like 'Djurkel' and 'Ekute' incorporating crunch guitar, sax and muffled djembe into its bassy repertoire.