White Knight, Todd Rundgren’s follow up to his 2015 album Global, features several high-profile musical guests across its 15 tracks. Surely, its synth and drum machines that create most of the music beds here, but Rundgren slips in his guests for solid turns, creating some truly groovin’ moments.
Between complete solo outings, like the oscillating synth slipping under the grand lyrical statement of “Come,” and the Kraftwork-like running keys of “Fiction,” we get the soft white Philly soul of a whistling snyth line behind Daryl Hall singing on “Chance For Us” (complete with a Bobby Strickland sax). Donald Fagen’s piano and vocal lead the funk of “Tin Foil Hat,” a sardonic tune about President Donald Trump.
There are four collaborations that really rock: an R&B infused “Got Your Back,” featuring KK Watson w/Dam Funk; the sweet “Sleep,” featuring Joe Walsh noodling on guitar (a nice sonic break from all the synths and drum machine snaps); and the big rockin’ “This Is Not A Drill” with Joe Satriani wailing throughout, accompanied by drummer Prairie Prince and bassist Kasim Sulton to round out the band. White Knight presents a decent set of tunes with ‘Todd-Is-God’ Rundgren utilizing the talents of some great guest musicians.
~ Ralph Greco. Jr.
