Prominent Reggae Bassists

thebassace111 · #1 07-25-2007, 07:14 AM

Hi,

I was just wondering if they're were any influential reggae bass players out there? I've been trying to combine reggae and funk but I can't find too many influences... Thanks

lefty007 · #2 07-25-2007, 07:23 AM

Two names you need to know:

Aston "Family Man" Barrett (Bob Marley), and Robbie Shakespeare (from Sly & Robbie, the most famous reggae and dub production team in history).

http://www.officialslyandrobbie.com/

Sounbwoy · #3 07-25-2007, 08:22 AM

what the above poster said, plus:
Leroy Sibbles
Boris Gardner
George "Fully" Fullwood
"Cat" Coore (from Third World)-yeah he play s guitar on stage, but he also plays bass VERY well...

also look here:
Most important reggae bass players?

Which are your favorite reggae bassists?

As far as combining that with funk...moderation is all that is required. A couple pops here, a couple snaps there, some slides and couple fills..really depends on what the music calls for. But for the majority of true reggae, less is more. The groove comes first. So, if someone in your band calls for "drum and bass" that's NOT the time to go crazy.

One Drop · #4 08-14-2007, 09:00 AM

Look for 'Darker Than Blue' with Boris Gardiner on bass to hear a fascinating approach to funk/soul/reggae, and also the two volumes of 'Soul Reggae' put out by Soul jazz records, compiled from Studio One singles and versions.

Ian Lewis from Inner Circle played some cool funky reggae bass on late '70s and early '80s recordings, and Fully Fullwood can get real funky when Soul Syndicate lean in that direction.

One of my favorites who hasn't got a mention is the superb Lloyd Parkes, leader of the 'We the People' band, which backed Dennis Brown for years, and who was the first bassist with the Revolutionaries, the Channel One studio band of legend, before Robbie Shakespeare started doing most of the sessions. They still tour the US constantly, and back other big names on international tours.

jomahu · #5 08-16-2007, 08:46 AM

listen to steel pulse. i just pulled their album out again for a listen. great catchy songs.

also: me'shell sometimes mixes the two, methinks.