Leon Sylvers III

[Mike Arnopol]

Just listening to "And the Beat Goes On" The bassist absolutely killed me. Found out it was Leon Sylvers. Anyone know other cuts he played on? Just listened to Shalimar "Full of Fire"
WOW

[DWBass]

He played on most of Shalimar's hits, The Whispers and his own band, Dynasty, Hellova player. Played all styles (including with a pick) mostly on a Rick.

[Dr. Cheese]

Look for almost anything on Solar Records back in the late Seventies and early Eighties. Leon Sylvers, as well as his brothers Foster and Rickey, was one of the best r&b bassists of that era.

[Mike Arnopol]

On a Rick? What a killin" player.When I was first listening to the Whispers tune, I thought it was Bernard Edwards on a MM. Shows you that it's in the hands and the musicianship. By the way, considering that I'm an old fart jazzer, any Bernards Edwards stuff I may have overlooked? I know of the Chic and Sister Sledge stuff. ( I even bought that silly Debra Harry album with him on it)

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Mike Arnopol

On a Rick? What a killin" player.When I was first listening to the Whispers tune, I thought it was Bernard Edwards on a MM. Shows you that it's in the hands and the musicianship. By the way, considering that I'm an old fart jazzer, any Bernards Edwards stuff I may have overlooked? I know of the Chic and Sister Sledge stuff. ( I even bought that silly Debra Harry album with him on it)

He used a Rick 4001 with flat wounds and the mutes on full when I saw him live. A friend of mine who did some studio work with him said he did use a Stingray also. He probably had an old one with mutes. I know when I had a Rickenbacker and used used mutes, flatwounds, and a pick, I was able to do a decent Leon Sylvers imitation.

[ERIC31]

I just pulled out my old Shalamar records "Big Fun" and "Three For Love". Leon is just killing it all over the place. Make That Move is just so damn funky!! Full Of Fire is killer too! Leon is awesome! It's going to take a long time for me to play his basslines. :-)

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by ERIC31

I just pulled out my old Shalamar records "Big Fun" and "Three For Love". Leon is just killing it all over the place. Make That Move is just so damn funky!! Full Of Fire is killer too! Leon is awesome! It's going to take a long time for me to play his basslines. :-)

I agree! His basslines are not that easy to cop! Check out the bassline to 'Friends' by Shalimar or 'Here I Am' by Dynasty!! Classic! Who would have come up with basslines like that?? I wish he would have kept on producing and playing. I likened him to a modern day Jamerson. Dude had immense chops and an incredible sense of melody and harmony (he was also a vocal arranger). Listen to all those vocal harmonies on all those Solar records he produced!

[ERIC31]

What is he doing these days?

[ERIC31]

Here's a video clip. Is that Leon on the Rick?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrKyNyUV7rU

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by ERIC31

Here's a video clip. Is that Leon on the Rick?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrKyNyUV7rU

Yep! That's him.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by ERIC31

What is he doing these days?

Honestly, I don't know. He has zero web presence. Last I heard he was active with Teddy Riley when Teddy was still in Virginia. Haven't heard anything since.

From Wiki..........

Sylvers is the father of singer Jody Watley's eldest daughter, Lauren.

Whoa! Did not know that!!

[bottomzone]

Absolutely an unsung bass hero. Leon had a mastery of the groove while playing tasty "rubbery" lines!!!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

[markjazzbassist]

recently he played bass/produced the new N'Dambi record (pink elephant). he son played bass on a couple tunes as well (leon iv).

killer record and grooves. definately worth picking up.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Honestly, I don't know. He has zero web presence. Last I heard he was active with Teddy Riley when Teddy was still in Virginia. Haven't heard anything since.

From Wiki..........

Whoa! Did not know that!!

MY buddy who saw him use the Stingray in the studio was playing with him and Teddy Riley in Virginia back in the day.

[Dr. Cheese]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TftNxj54ktA&NR=1

I know he's lipsynching, but here is Dynasty and Leon Sylvers III with his Music Man bass.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TftNxj54ktA&NR=1

I know he's lipsynching, but here is Dynasty and Leon Sylvers III with his Music Man bass.

Same tune but he's playing (er..lip synching) the Ric on this one! By the way, I believe he was married briefly to the darker skinned singer in the blue pants, Nidra Beard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfBbzbAazbM&feature=fvw

[Dr. Cheese]

[quote=DWBass;9508996]Same tune but he's playing (er..lip synching) the Ric on this one! By the way, I believe he was married briefly to the darker skinned singer in the blue pants, Nidra Beard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfBbzbAazbM&feature=fvw[/Q

Yes he was married to her back in the 1980s.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

recently he played bass/produced the new N'Dambi record (pink elephant). he son played bass on a couple tunes as well (leon iv).

killer record and grooves. definately worth picking up.

I checked out that cd......totally different vibe. Would have never thought Leon Sylvers by listening to it. I'll just listen to his 80's work to keep me smiling! The record itself.....mmm..it's okay! Other than Can't Hardly Wait, it didn't do much for me.

[Pj,Rj,Hj]

Don't forget "There it is" and "I can make you feel good" from Shalamar

[DWBass]

The Whispers-Emergency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moOM_UcDxH4

Check out the vocal production as well! Tight @$$ harmonies! Leon was on point!