WALLY BADAROU レコード& CD

Review: Reissues aside, this EP marks synthesizer legend Wally Badarou's first appearance on vinyl since 1989. Given the high regard in which the former Grace Jones, Herbie Hancock and Talking Heads collaborator is rightly held, this is undoubtedly big news. All four tracks were previously self-released by Badarou digitally, though all but his most dedicated fans would have missed them. "Fisherman (I'Theme)" is an undeniably jaunty, Caribbean jazz-funk treat in Badarou's trademark style, while "The Daiquri Diaries (Vintage Extended)" sees the great man soloing over a dreamy, Balearic style groove. On the flip you'll find the tropical synth-calypso of "Awa" and "Higher Still", a sublime jaunt into eyes-closed ambient territory that sounds like it come have come from Andreas Vollenweider's studio sometime in the mid 1980s.

Review: There are few certified music stars that France's Wally Badarou hasn't worked with along his illustrious career. Black Uhuru, Grace Jones and Herbie Hancock are just some of the names he's collaborated with, but the man only got to that stage thanks to his wonderful solo albums of the early '80s. His very first LP, the much-coveted Back To Scales To-Night, is a sublime boogie-soul gem and it's thanks to the collaboration between Expansion and Love Vinyl that we have it on our shelves once again. The title track is an instant hit of euphoria upon first listen, and its sonic treatment which rendered it stand-out back in the day... and still today! "One Day Won't Give It Away" is another favourite of ours, a drum-machine soul groover, but the instrumental version of "London Town" is also a reason to cop this magnetic, and refreshing soul album.

Review: Essential reissue alert: Arguably one of his most influential albums of his illustrious career, Wally's third album Echoes has matured incredibly well, joining the dots between electronica, island music, reggae, pop and ambient better than most self-styled Balearic DJs. Sampled by the likes Massive Attack ("Mambo") and Pete Herbert ("Chief Inspector"), we're moved through the moods in such a simplistic but warm, dynamic way as Wally switches from shedding a tear on the Scarface-era Moroder style "Canyons" to shedding a few pounds on the runaway boogie cut "Endless Race". Still sounding current 32 years deep, there's a reason the likes of Grace Jones, Level 42, Herbie Hancock and Black Uhuru worked with him.

Review: Released in 1984, amidst pivotal sessions with the likes of Level 42, M and Joe Cocker, key man Wally put this ground-breaking album together. Living up to its name, this really was a future echo... Providing heaps of inspiration for the Balearic sound that was about to make its way up through Europe, you'll instantly recognise cuts such as the lolloping, dreamy "Mambo" and the luxurious electro boogie groove of "Chief Inspector". A template for so many amazing sounds that followed, Wally's legacy is crucial, and Echoes sums up why.