I was saddened today to learn of the passing of Dave Allen, bass player for Gang of Four and later Shriekback.

Dave was my favorite bassman. I’m not saying the best — he wasn’t a virtuoso like Bootsy or James Jamerson; he mostly played simple parts that were just impeccably funky and right. I’m hard-pressed to pick one example to post here, but how about this one?

As it happens, Shriekback has a new album out today. Dave hadn’t played with them — and by “them” I mean Barry Andrews, who is back to making the records all by his lonesome these days — for many years. But life goes on, for now.