Nate Watts - Reggae Bass Lines

thomasjbass · #1 01-04-2011, 05:45 PM

So over the last 2 months I am obsesses with Nate Watts and his bass line. The guy is absolutely genius. Just wanted to ask if anyone had any good lessons to help with the swing almost reggae style he has and incorporating that into other styles of music. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

bass12 · #2 01-04-2011, 06:33 PM

Listen to reggae. If you want to develop a feel for a type of music the best way I can think of to get there is to listen to the actual music. This way you're not just listening to a component of the style (in this case, the bass) but everything that is contributing to the sonic identity of that style. So here's your lesson: find yourself any of the many Studio One compilations currently available (Soul Jazz and Heartbeat are two dependable labels that have released several volumes of Studio One material); then get yourself Yellowman's "Mister Yellowman" album; and then, for a good example of working a bit of a reggae vibe over non-reggae tracks, get your hands on Grace Jones' "Living My Life" album (or, better yet, the "Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions" compilation). Then listen. Repeat as necessary.

thomasjbass · #3 01-04-2011, 08:13 PM

Bass12,

Thank you so much. Talk about amazing music to learn from, I have just recently just learned about reggae, dub, and swing. I was a rock player for years but their baselines are stellar. I am so excited to get started on my first lesson.

bass12 · #4 01-04-2011, 08:29 PM

Reggae (and the history of Jamaican music in general) is one of my passions and I'm happy to help! If you'd like any other suggestions on listening or reading material don't hesitate to send me a P.M. There are a bunch of guys on this forum who know a whole lot about reggae so they'll probably have some suggestions for you as well.

jerry · #5 01-04-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

get your hands on Grace Jones' "Living My Life" album (or, better yet, the "Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions" compilation. The listen. Repeat as necessary.

+1, Awesome and overlooked collection of Sly & Robbie grooves.

ThisisCraigP · #6 01-04-2011, 10:34 PM

Must listen to albums for any reggae fan-

Marcus Garvey/Garveys Ghost by Burning Spear

Hail Him by Burning Spear

Catch A Fire (Jamaican edition!!!) and Burnin by the Wailers

Macka Dub and Familyman in Dub by Familyman Barrett

Culture-Two Sevens Clash

There's a bunch more but that's a good starting point.

onosson · #7 01-04-2011, 10:35 PM

A guy I know calls reggae the heavy metal of bass.

onosson · #8 01-04-2011, 10:35 PM

there's also a lot of good reggae coming out of Japan over the past decade or so.

ThisisCraigP · #9 01-04-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onosson

there's also a lot of good reggae coming out of Japan over the past decade or so.

I've heard that too but I haven't listened to anything besides 70s jamaican dub and reggae. Maybe I should expand lol

onosson · #10 01-04-2011, 10:48 PM

A couple bands to check out are Dry & Heavy and BAGDAD CAFE THE trench town (unwieldy name...)

Here's a couple samples (the first one I uploaded myself because it wasn't on youtube):

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7ru9XmYm4

bass12 · #11 01-04-2011, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisisCraigP

Catch A Fire (Jamaican edition!!!) and Burnin by the Wailers

Listening to the two versions back to back is a fascinating experience. Honestly, I haven't listened to the "official" version more than once since hearing the original unreleased Jamaican mixes.

thomasjbass · #12 01-05-2011, 10:00 AM

I love this Forum. You guys are awesome for the insight. My eyes are wide open now...

AcidFripp · #13 01-06-2011, 03:09 PM

Check out Hugh Mundell. Specifically the album "Africa Must Be Free By 1983". Some really brilliant basslines on that one.

thomasjbass · #14 01-06-2011, 03:53 PM

These have all been great suggestions. Love Burning Spear and Yellowman. They have such amazing grooves. Loving them right now. I will check Hugh Mundell tonight! Thanks AcidFripp!

bass12 · #15 01-06-2011, 04:09 PM

Since you're digging the Yellowman you might want to check out Cocoa Tea's "Rocking Dolly" and Barrington Levy's "Prison Oval Rock". Oh, and for a slightly different take on things have a listen to Alpha Blondy's "Apartheid Is Nazism" - some cool stuff straight out of the Ivory Coast.

**pacojas** · #16 01-06-2011, 04:23 PM

MIDNITE from St. Croix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unDPZ...e_gdata_player

BONUS LIVE TRACK!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13ytq...e_gdata_player

(subwoofer approved)

jerry · #17 01-06-2011, 08:10 PM

The Night Nurse album by Gregory Isaacs has some great grooves by Flabba Holt, a classic out here.