Wally Badarou

  • Wally Badarou
  • Back to Scales Tonight (UK Polydor) 1982 
  • Echoes (Island) 1985 
  • Chief Inspector EP (Island) 1986 
  • Words of a Mountain (Island) 1989 

Paris-born keyboardist Badarou is a veteran of Sly and Robbie’s Compass Point All-Stars band, an auxiliary member of Britain’s Level 42 and has played behind such luminaries as Grace Jones, Black Uhuru and M (on “Pop Muzik”). His soundtrack work includes Kiss of the Spider Woman and Countryman.

Following a single (“Chief Inspector,” a hard synth-funk instrumental) that topped British dance charts, Echoes reveals Indian, African and jazz influences, but the best track remains that single. Glossy, versatile and forgettable. Chief Inspector contains remixes of five tracks, including the title tune and “Spider Woman.”

[Bud Kliment]