Funkiest Bass City/Era?

[Dr. Cheese]

What city or region had the funkiest bassists in a given era? My vote is the Bay Area from 1967-1980 because it had Larry Graham, Rocco Prestia, Paul Jackson, and Bobby Vega, Rustee Allen, plus Doug Rauch during that time.

[Lichtaffen]

It seems from what I've read that Detroit had quite a few coming up during the 60's because of the Motown sound. JJ was a big influence on the younger musicians.

[Tandrew]

+1 to both those, I have to throw some Dayton into the mix, especially for the late 70's early 80's bands like Lakeside (Marvin Craig), Dayton, Zapp (Zapp), Ohio Players (Marshall Jones), Slave (Mark Adams) , good category Dr. Cheese, supposedly there's a cd called like Bay Area Players where a young Paul Jackson plays, have you heard this?

[funkytoe]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

What city or region had the funkiest bassists in a given era? My vote is the Bay Area from 1967-1980 because it had Larry Graham, Rocco Prestia, Paul Jackson, and Bobby Vega, Rustee Allen, plus Doug Rauch during that time.

Hi Doc. As a Bay Area native who was just starting out on bass in this era, I have to say I agree with you. The Bay Area was alive with funky bassists during this time.

I would add "Ready" Freddy Washington to that short list for sure! How could you forget the guy who wrote the line to "Forget Me Nots"?

Of course, a strong case could be made for Detroit circa 1965-1970 (Jamerson/Babbit) or Philadelphia circa 1970 Gamble and Huff/PIR days (Win Winford, Ronnie Baker, Sugar Bear Foreman, etc.)

[Tandrew]

+1,000 to Ready Freddie and the forget me nots bassline...
Dr. Cheese and fellow funksters I ended up doing some minscule research and have answered my own question kind of...
East Bay Rhythm- PJ on Bass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQk4qvxNr18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh-YW6DLdPs, sadly I can't listen to these yet cause I'm at work

[Dr. Cheese]

Although I'm sure I read it before, I didn't realize Freddie Washington was the Bay Area.

[COOL AND DEADLY]

I can't really say what era, specifically, but Philadelphia is home or birthplace to many great bassists. Jaco was born in Norristown (Philly suburb), and I think Stanley Clarke was from Philly too. Gerald Veasley also comes to mind.

[Jamie_Funk]

Originally Posted by Tandrew

+1,000 to Ready Freddie and the forget me nots bassline...
Dr. Cheese and fellow funksters I ended up doing some minscule research and have answered my own question kind of...
East Bay Rhythm- PJ on Bass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQk4qvxNr18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh-YW6DLdPs, sadly I can't listen to these yet cause I'm at work

Dang! Paul Jackson - IMO no one funks like him - truly unique.

Thanks for providing a great start to my day

J

[gweimer]

Originally Posted by Tandrew

+1 to both those, I have to throw some Dayton into the mix, especially for the late 70's early 80's bands like Lakeside (Marvin Craig), Dayton, Zapp (Zapp), Ohio Players (Marshall Jones), Slave (Mark Adams) , good category Dr. Cheese, supposedly there's a cd called like Bay Area Players where a young Paul Jackson plays, have you heard this?

You forgot Verdine White with Earth, Wind and Fire. Dayton was a hotbed back then.

[chris.gotfunk]

Great bass line for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsnPYsHhzc4

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

Gotta remember about George Clinton and the various groups he plays/tours with, many of them featuring bootsy collins and billy bass. They're from the Mich./NE Ohio region. Then there's bootsy's rubber band, and various others coming from that same region.

[kesslari]

I can't really say what era, specifically, but Philadelphia is home or birthplace to many great bassists. Jaco was born in Norristown (Philly suburb), and I think Stanley Clarke was from Philly too. Gerald Veasley also comes to mind.

Stanley for sure. Also Alphonso Johnson and Victor Bailey.

[Clark Dark]

Philly bassists include, Win Winford, Ronnie Baker, Sugar Bear Foreman and Nathan East and Leonard Hubbard aka Hub (the Roots) Stanley Clarke, Victor Bailey, Alphonso Johnson, and Gerald Veasley

[Jedd]

Originally Posted by Tandrew

+1 to both those, I have to throw some Dayton into the mix, especially for the late 70's early 80's bands like Lakeside (Marvin Craig), Dayton, Zapp (Zapp), Ohio Players (Marshall Jones), Slave (Mark Adams) , good category Dr. Cheese, supposedly there's a cd called like Bay Area Players where a young Paul Jackson plays, have you heard this?

You can also include Sun, and Shadow (Ohio Players side project)

Dayton was undoubtly the epicenter of funk for this era !

[Hamrhed]

Originally Posted by funkytoe

I would add "Ready" Freddy Washington to that short list for sure! How could you forget the guy who wrote the line to "Forget Me Nots"?

Going to see Freddy soon w/ Steely Dan

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by kesslari

Stanley for sure. Also Alphonso Johnson and Victor Bailey.

Lets not forget Jamaaladeen Tacuma.

[LilRay]

Motown had the Funkiest Bass City First. It's a toss up of eras and cities afterward IMO because all that are funky are influenced by Detroit.

Jamerson was the first genious involved with the electric bass. He mastered it and inspires/influences all that follow.

Jamerson = BASS MOSES

God Bless, Ray

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by LilRay

Motown had the Funkiest Bass City First. It's a toss up of eras and cities afterward IMO because all that are funky are influenced by Detroit.

Jamerson was the first genious involved with the electric bass. He mastered it and inspires/influences all that follow.

Jamerson = BASS MOSES

God Bless, Ray

Plus Bootsy with JB, Babbit, Ralphe Armstrong, Nathan Watts, Michael Henderson, and all the Jazz Guys, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Percy Heath, and Jimmy Garrison. There all Detroit boys.

To me it's still Detroit and Philly and then there's everyone else.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by burk48237

Plus Bootsy with JB, Babbit, Ralphe Armstrong, Nathan Watts, Michael Henderson, and all the Jazz Guys, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Percy Heath, and Jimmy Garrison. There all Detroit boys.

To me it's still Detroit and Philly and then there's everyone else.

I think the Bay Area in the Seventies was the greatest of all time. I have to take the left coast!

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I think the Bay Area in the Seventies was the greatest of all time. I have to take the left coast!

Figures