Balancing Act - Balancing Act

All Music Guide

Centered around bassists Matthew Henninger and Cameron McLaughlin, Balancing Act put together an organic mix of funk, neosoul and groove jazz on their selftitled debut album. An unusual concept in theory, the twobass style of this six piece ensemble works superbly in practice and allows Henninger and McLaughlin to layer various melodies and rhythms on top of eachother in sophisticated and increasingly funky ways. This is pop music informed by such legendary bassists Jaco Pastorious and Bootsy Collins. In that sense, songs such as the midtemp jam "Rubber BMan" as well as the pastoral "On Winding Roads" find Henninger and McLaughlin weaving their supple, rounded bass figures into patchwork quilts of sound. And its not just the four string voices that impress here. On the contrary, with vocals from drummer Jonathan Ovalle, organist Joshua Shilling as well as contributions from singers Madeline Davis and Angel Bond, Balancing Act brings to mind the polished acid jazz approach Brand New Hea...vies mixed with the classic work of '70s soul icon Bill Withers. - Matt Collar, All Music Guide Read more Less