When Lenise Bent entered the L.A. audio engineering scene in the late ‘70s, she didn’t mind that it was primarily a male dominated industry. Through a chance meeting with Leon Russell at his home studio, she was swept away with the studio atmosphere, the sound, and it was her curiosity about the recording console and gear that captured her spirit and sent her down the path of becoming a recording engineer. She was determined to work with the best equipment, the best studios, and the best musicians. And she did. She’s credited on some of the best sounding albums that were ever recorded, including Steely Dan’s “Aja”, Supertramp’s “Breakfast In America”, Marc Jordan’s “Mannequin”, Blondie's “Autoamerican”, and “Tusk” by Fleetwood Mac, just to name a few. Here to discuss her incredible journey as a pioneering audio engineer is none other than Lenise Bent.

For nearly 20 years, Inside MusiCast has been bringing you interviews with the best musicians, engineers and producers in the music industry. But while Eddy and I host the shows, we also have a team of nine passionate colleagues who have been assisting us along the way. To kick off the new year, we’ve assembled nearly all of our correspondents for a 2025 wrap-up chat to discuss the year in music, and to give them a chance to chat about their time with Inside MusiCast and what’s to come in 2026. And we thank them all for everything they do for the show. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome the Inside MusiCast Correspondents to kick off 2026!

Paris-born Wally Badarou traces his ancestry to Benin, West Africa—but he is thoroughly and unmistakably French. When it comes to music, however, his inspiration reflects a rich blend of international influences. A pioneering keyboardist, producer, and session musician, Wally has long embraced technology as an integral part of his creative process—one of the key motivations that led him to collaborate with the band Level 42. If you’ve heard their music, you’ve heard Wally’s touch: his musical structures, melodies, and productions are woven into many of their biggest hits. Although he was never an official member of the band, he co-wrote many of their more prominent songs, shaping the band’s signature sound. Beyond that, his remarkable career includes collaborations with legends such as Herbie Hancock, M, Talking Heads, Grace Jones, Robert Palmer, and many others. It’s the story of a truly global musician—one who views music through an international lens. Inside MusiCast proudly welcomes Wally Badarou.