Funky Bassist?

[Icarus26]

I'm new to playing the bass and i'm looking for some funky bassist to add to my playlists. Any recommendations? Bands, bassist, all are welcome.

[isky]

Check out Infectious Grooves. Robert Trujillo used to be damn funky back in the days.

[0fret]

If you want to discover the very roots of funk stuff, listen to some James Jamerson (Motown Records) and Rocco Prestia (Tower Of Power), who are the fathers of funk playing. Larry Graham is great too, but maybe a little bit too advanced. 70's disco stuff is great for playing some funk too.

[isky]

Originally Posted by 0fret

If you want to discover the very roots of funk stuff, listen to some James Jamerson (Motown Records) and Rocco Prestia (Tower Of Power), who are the fathers of funk playing. Larry Graham is great too, but maybe a little bit too advanced. 70's disco stuff is great for playing some funk too.

You're right. Jamerson and Prestia are definetely the guys to learn from. I'd also add Verdine White, Paul Jackson and Jerry Jermott to the list.

[dean82]

Jamerson, Graham and Prestia for sure, but don't forget to check out James Brown's stuff. His rhythm sections will give you an education in the ways of funk. In fact, check out this book called The Funkmasters-the Great James Brown Rhythm Sections. That will give you a good start, plus it's accessible for a beginner to funk. Save Rocco Prestia for later...Trust me.

[Lowtonejoe]

What TOP albums with Rocco are funky?

I'm ready to start delving into Rocco TOP tunes. (Just for listening!)

Thanks!



Joe.

[Funk 'N' Stein]

While I agree that Rocco is a GREAT bassist...TOP are not what I would equate with pure funk. They are just way too busy in my book. Everytime I listen to em i feel like I've just drunk 5 or 6 cups of strong coffee!!! I think theyre more of a hybrid of Rock, Soul, Funk and R&B, rather than pure funk. Hell of a great band though (when they dont do ballads...haha)...and Rocco is an AWESOME bassist.

Suprised no one has mentioned Funkadelic (the mother lode of funk...Bootsy, Skeet Curtis etc) and the Brothers Johnson (more on the pop side of Funk, But LOUIS is one of THE great funk bassists)

A GREAT exhibition of funk bass playing can be found on James Brown's "live at chastain park". Jimmy Lee Moore on Bass. "Too funky in here" is quite possibly the funkiest song ever recorded IMO

[DWBass]

Check out the Funk 101 thread in Recordings. Plenty of funky bassists are mentioned.

[peterjc]

bernard edwards

[MisterV619]

Originally Posted by 0fret

If you want to discover the very roots of funk stuff, listen to some James Jamerson (Motown Records) and Rocco Prestia (Tower Of Power), who are the fathers of funk playing. Larry Graham is great too, but maybe a little bit too advanced. 70's disco stuff is great for playing some funk too.

Funk and disco are two seperate genres. Same era and both danceable though.

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by MisterV619

Funk and disco are two seperate genres. Same era and both danceable though.

Could you list a few groups/artists on both sides?

Thanks.



Joe.

[chris.gotfunk]

Just throwing this one out there. Jamiroquai. They are great disco/funk. My suggestion is to find their live stuff. Go to this link to check out a live show of theirs.

http://mediaweb.musicradio.com/Show.asx?Episode=1492

If that does not work, try this:

http://www.capitalradiogroup.com/con...nair_jamiroqua
i.html

Great stuff to groove to!!!

Peace,
Chris

[watspan]

Paul Jackson w/ Herbie Hancock's Headhunters on "Thrust"

End of discussion. IMO

[themarshall]

early '70's stevie wonder, esp. talking book and innervisions, must be heard to fully inderstand funk - check out the layers of low end tomfoolery.

[DWBass]

Like I said, go here to find names of many many funk bass players.

[BuffaloBass]

Heed the FunkFather son! Hit the link, download, and learn thy FUNK!

Oh,and Jamiroquai, there is NO FUNK on that Funk Obyssey CD> if we use a definition of funk formed here, by Funfather et al, that aint funk boys and girls. Although Stuart Zender DOES have some funky fingers! Good band, but misuing the label " Funk" for some stuff that simply aint.

Nothing like Bootsy's greasy slides, or Larry Graham's slap melodies. Check out " Hair" !

[chris.gotfunk]

Noted!!!! Thanks for the clarification.

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

Heed the FunkFather son! Hit the link, download, and learn thy FUNK!

Oh,and Jamiroquai, there is NO FUNK on that Funk Obyssey CD> if we use a definition of funk formed here, by Funfather et al, that aint funk boys and girls. Although Stuart Zender DOES have some funky fingers! Good band, but misuing the label " Funk" for some stuff that simply aint.

Nothing like Bootsy's greasy slides, or Larry Graham's slap melodies. Check out " Hair" !

[MisterV619]

Originally Posted by Lowtonejoe

Could you list a few groups/artists on both sides?

Thanks.



Joe.

Disco= The Bee Gees, Anita Ward, Gary's Gang
Funk= Parliament, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Zapp

Is that a good enough example for you?

Getting back to the main topic, here's my list of favorite funky bass players:

Mark Adams
Sekou Bunch
Bootsy Collins
Louis Johnson
Cedric Martin
Allen McGrier
Aaron Mills
Nate Phillips
Joe Plass
"Ready" Freddie Washington
Doug Wimbish

[funkytoe]

OK I give a big +1 to:

Larry Graham (especially his post-Sly and the Family Stone stuff. Check out Graham Central Station "Hair")

Rocco Prestia (Tower of Power) and Jerry Jemmot (Various "Atlantic" recordings.) Both can play that muted 16th note Funk for days. For Rocco -- check out "What is Hip."
For Jerry, check out "Aretha Franklin live at the Filmore West."

James Brown bassists - Not just Bootsy -- JB always had funky bassists. Alan "Dr. Licks" Slutsky put out a great play along book/CD of James Brown bass licks. Can't go wrong with James Brown. Pick up the good Dr.'s book and do your homework.

Now some new, lessor known, funksters:

Lequint "Duke" Jobe - Bassist for Rose Royce. One listen to the soundtrack from the movie "Car Wash" and you will see what I mean. This guy smokes! Really quick thumb and some of the best fills I have ever heard.

Lucky Scott -- Bassist for Curtis Mayfield. Check out "Superfly", "Pusherman" and "Freddy's Dead" from the soundtrack to the movie "Superfly." This guy has such great feel. Really knows how to leave space in his lines.

Tommy Cogbill -- Another "Atlantic" session guy. Check out is push/pull feel on Wilson Pickett's "Funky Broadway." Just one repetitive line, but I dare you not to tap your foot!

David Hood -- Muscle Shoals studio bassist. Check out "I'll take you there" by the Staple Singers. Another master of leaving space in your lines.

Learn to play like these cats and you will be well on your way to Funkytown. Good luck.

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by MisterV619

Disco= The Bee Gees, Anita Ward, Gary's Gang
Funk= Parliament, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Zapp

Is that a good enough example for you?

It's a good start.

Thanks.



Joe.