Definitive slap albums/songs?

1987 · #1 03-24-2008, 08:21 AM

Hi all,

Just looking to improve my slap vocab and wanted to get some recommendations of stuff to check out. I'm really interested in the evolution of the technique so anything new or old is appreciated.

Thanks.

Liko · #2 03-24-2008, 08:35 AM

Well, Larry Graham pretty much invented the technique, so look for anything either by him alone or by Graham Central Station. People have done more advanced things with the technique since then, but he's the father of slap and the only place to start when you're reading about the evolution of slap.

Flea of RHCP fame is probably the next famous name in slap, and shows funk's evolution into the more punkish sound of the '80s ("thrash-funk" as RHCP calls it). The Peppers' earlier albums are more funk-ish than their later ones; "BloodSugarSexMagik" is a must-have CD for any bassist.

Marcus Miller's another guy who'se really shaped the sound of slap. Though he's technically a contemporary of both Graham and Flea, he pioneered the cleaner slap sound heard in modern jazz, and the more advanced techniques you hear in modern upbeat jazz.

Last on my list is Victor Wooten. Ultra-modern slap. "A Show of Hands" is probably his best-known solo CD, and he's also worked with Bela and the Flecktones and been the frontman for other projects. His solo work is a bit wank-ish IMHO, but it shows off the incomparable versatility of the bass guitar as an instrument from slap to chording to two-hand tapping.

There are plenty of other guys in the jazz, funk, and R&B genres who have been influential in slap's evolution, but these guys represent milestones of the technique, and as such are great places to start.

CapnSev · #3 03-24-2008, 08:44 AM

Any of the old Stu Zender Jamiroquai albums. The slap is pretty subtle on a lot of it, but it's definitely there.

Any of Louis Johnson's stuff- Brothers Johnson, Michael Jackson, George Duke Band, etc...

BuffaloBass · #4 03-24-2008, 09:41 AM

Check out the FUnk 101 thread. Bunch of slap in there.

Larry Graham was an early slapper, check out " When you're Hot , you're Hot " or " Hair" in the Funk 101 thread.

Check out teh SLAP WELCOME CENTER intr eh "technique" froum.

You are not the first one with this request !

JimK · #5 03-24-2008, 09:48 AM

Mid-'70s Stanley Clarke-
"Lopsy Lu"
"Silly Putty"

bryan bailey · #6 03-24-2008, 12:19 PM

Tommy The Cat by Primus, kind of...

Dr. Cheese · #7 03-24-2008, 02:15 PM

OP, how do you want to slap? If you love funk and r&b, listen to older funk, r&b, and smooth jazz like Graham Central Station, Brothers Johnson, Slave, David Sanborn & Luther Vandross (Marcus Miller.) If you are more of a rocker, listen to RHCP, Primus, Suicidal Tendencies, etc. Check out Wooten and other younger cats for the latest techniques.

WJGreer · #8 03-24-2008, 02:18 PM

^ Cheese is right.

But, in my world, the definitive slap album is "A Physical Presence", a live Level 42 recording from 1984. Mark King is just all over it. I'm not super crazy about the tone he got on that record, but damn does he tear it up.

Then you realize he is singing too...

Dr. Cheese · #9 03-24-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJGreer

^ Cheese is right.

But, in my world, the definitive slap album is "A Physical Presence", a live Level 42 recording from 1984. Mark King is just all over it. I'm not super crazy about the tone he got on that record, but damn does he tear it up.

Then you realize he is singing too...

Mark King was a huge oversight on my part. He is definitely more towards the funk/fusion side of the slap equation.

4-string · #10 03-24-2008, 02:28 PM

Yup, definitely Level 42. "A Physical Presence" is great, but soundwise I prefer the "Live at Wembley" DVD. If you go to www.level42.com there's several great DVDs and CDs to choose from, I especially recommend "Retroglide Live" and "Live at the Apollo", from 2006 and 2003 respectively.

I saw them in the Albert Hall on the Retroglide tour, they are as good as ever.

4-string · #11 03-24-2008, 02:32 PM

One more thing; if you're lucky Mark King will even sign your DVD for you.

WJGreer · #12 03-24-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

One more thing; if you're lucky Mark King will even sign your DVD for you.

Yep, he signed my "Live at the Apollo DVD".

WJGreer · #13 03-24-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

Yup, definitely Level 42. "A Physical Presence" is great, but soundwise I prefer the "Live at Wembley" DVD.

Soundwise, I agree. But I prefer the raw ambition I hear on "Physical Presence". They sounded like a band on their way up on that record, IMO.

4-string · #14 03-24-2008, 02:40 PM

True, and you don't get tunes like Fashion Fever.

There's real attitude on the Physical Presence album, but the bass tone isn't what I like to hear.

Sahm · #15 03-24-2008, 02:56 PM

Very good suggestions so far. Let me also add Stu Hamm. His educational videos are informative, and stress the importance of practicing with a metronome.

Check out some Fishbone, in particular the song "Bonin' in the Boneyard". I was all geeked up about seeing Primus headline Lollapalooza '93 when I was blown away by Fishbone earlier in the day. Norwood has some killer chops!

Dr_Funkdamental · #16 03-24-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liko

Marcus Miller's another guy who'se really shaped the sound of slap. Though he's technically a contemporary of both Graham and Flea, he pioneered the cleaner slap sound heard in modern jazz, and the more advanced techniques you hear in modern upbeat jazz.

Not understanding what you mean by contemporary, but you know Marcus was slapping before RHCP was even a jam band right LOL.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #17 03-24-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

One more thing; if you're lucky Mark King will even sign your DVD for you.

I was!

BTW, that CD is awesome!

Flizzy21 · #18 03-24-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liko

Flea of RHCP fame is probably the next famous name in slap, and shows funk's evolution into the more punkish sound of the '80s ("thrash-funk" as RHCP calls it). The Peppers' earlier albums are more funk-ish than their later ones; "BloodSugarSexMagik" is a must-have CD for any bassist.

Flea is the guy who really got me into slap. Listen to songs like "get up and jump" "blackeyed blonde" or their cover of Stevie's "higher ground". those are the songs that i first learned when i was first interested in slap. They also have some pretty quick double thumb work which will help you a lot in the future.

Blackbd · #19 03-24-2008, 04:24 PM

If you have time you could check these out for some differing takes on slap style.

"Glide" - Pleasure

"Forget Me Nots" - Patrice Rushen

"One Better" - Les Claypool

worker201 · #20 03-24-2008, 04:31 PM

A way-underrated album with just miles of bass showiness is "The Plague That Makes Your Booty Move" by Infectious Grooves, 1991. Infectious Grooves was a thrash-funk outfit featuring Mike Muir and Robert Trujillo of Suicidal Tendencies, and their sound was way more metal-oriented than RHCP. It's certainly no Stu Hamm or "BloodSugarSexMagik", but it is a whole lot of fun. You can't deny the appeal of slap-metal.