I've played bass for many years. That's why I am singing Wilkenfeld's praises. She's a real and coming talent. Kim Deal is adequate as a bassist, and far better as a songwriter.
I am serious though, about how I first heard her. I saw her on the Clapton "Crossroads" DVD. When she first appears, she is walking with Beck and his band backstage, and I really thought she was either Beck's or Vinnie Colauita's daughter, and maybe 16 years old. When she walked out on stage, in front of 50,000 people, I figured it was sort of like Beck tweaking the audience. 30 seconds after they beqan playing, I knew we were looking at a great new talent. She plays melodically, but behind and in front of the main melodic line and often contrapuntally, and she while she can play rather fast, it is never for show, but more for accent. There is a youtube clip of her holding her own with marcus Miller that is fun to see. She can also slap and pop with the best of them.