Fretless Albums suggestions for a fretless listener rookie

[pmaraziti]

All,

Would you have some advice on what CD to but to listen to some nice fretless BG player ? I'm starting from scratch, so I guess "must haves" come first (well I have "Graceland")

For instance, what would you suggest for:

Percy Jones
Michael Manring
Bakithi Kumalo

Any other ?

I'm receiving also the last DVD from Alain Caron, but if on top you have any suggestion for some of his album.

Thanks a lot in advance, Paolo

[BassGod]

If you're into it, check out Gordian Knot (the second time I've reccomended them today!). A mix of progressive rock, jazz, metal, and classical elements with Sean Malone on fretless bass (and Chapman stick and keyboards). Gordian Knot and Emergent are their only two albums, and they're all instrumental (and all amazing).

Graeme

[Baryonyx]

Michael Manring's fretless stuff is awesome. His album with David Cullen, Equilbre, is brilliant. Some very open, expressive playing there. Also, Soliloquy is a benchmark, look into that.

[Acepiloto]

How about the immortal Jaco album?

[pmaraziti]

Originally Posted by Acepiloto

How about the immortal Jaco album?

I made a mistake... I forgot mentioning that beside Paul Simon (Graceland), I have quite a few CDs from Jaco, I'd really go and explore beyond Jaco...

Hats off to Mr. Pastorius,
Paolo

[jerry]

Mick Karn is a great player who plays a little out-of-the-box in a more rock contex. For jazz besides the guys you mentioned Gary Willis is just plain sick! Also Jimmy Haslip.....

[jerry]

Mmmmmm....fretless.......

[The Owl]

For Percy Jones:

With Brand X: Moroccan Roll, Masques

Solo: Cape Catastrophe

[davetakis]

i believe most of the jack bruce solo albums are all fretless. i like them all. although "more jack than god" and "monkjack" are him on guitar and piano. not mush bass on those 2.

[Franklin229]

Dalis Carr (spelling)
Pino (w/Paul Young)
Mark Eagan

[The Owl]

Originally Posted by Franklin229

Dalis Carr (spelling)
Pino (w/Paul Young)
Mark Eagan

+`1 on Dali's Car!!! Very unique and quirky album, and Mick just has a field day on that Wal of his!

[Eli M.]

Originally Posted by pmaraziti

Bakithi Kumalo

Other than Graceland, you should check out Rhythm of the Saints. He doesn't play on as much stuff and isn't as prominently featured as he was on Graceland, but there's some cool stuff on there. His solo albums aren't the best for fretless listening because he plays a lot of fretted bass.

He has recorded with a lot of people, but I have yet to check out most of it.

[zazz]

for fretless that jonie mitchell/jaco album heija??? is great and oil on canvas for karn.

[Diego]

ANYTHING from Alain Caron. Try to get a copy of basse-contrabasse, excellent album.

[jonly]

Pearl Jam - Ten. Watch him fit a square peg in a round hole rather nicely.

[jerry]

For Bakithi Kumalo, besides his solo albums his work with Hugh Masekela also features his fretless grooviness.

[bassksun]

Mick Karn-Tooth Mother

[HeavyFingers]

You should do a search for Steve Digiorgio. He's mostly a metal bassist but if you go to his website you can download some mp3's of his jazz project "Dark Hall" its pretty killer. Also he's one of the few 5 stringers that tunes EADGC instead of adding the B (for metal atleast).

Here's a clip of him shredding it up in the studio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bia3o_0xx4k
(warning - profanities)

[James Hart]

"The Firm" both discs feature Tony Franklin on fretless

[tom5string]

John McLaughlin Trio - Live at the Royal Festival Hall

with an incredible soulful Kai Eckhardt contrasting McLaughlins excursions - i think he played a sixstring ....