Bassics Magazine Review
(Nov/Dec 1999 Issue)
Bassist: David Dyson
CD: "Soulmates", Lo'hand Funk Records
Until I received this album, I wasn't quite sure who David Dyson was. Let me assure you after listening to the CD, I won't soon forget. David is one of the faces you can't name, but can see providing the bass lines in the background at shows like Meshell Ndegeocello. The album is very soul/R&B/funk-flavored but strongly rooted in modern jazz. Dyson is consistently leading the songs through melodic fretless breakdowns and funk-afied bursts. Dyson self-produced, wrote and arranged the album and even sings a little, (check out "Way Back When"). At times, Dyson's attack is reminiscent of early Marcus Miller recordings and the influence of early funk pioneers like Larry Graham can be heard in David's playing. "Badlands" has great slap and pop bass line as well as melody, which would be a great direction to hear David pursue as he really shines here. An excellent effort for a debut album.
--ML (Michael Laranjo)