Funk DB players?

[RiseOfTheWooten]

Hi all, I originally posted this in the DB forum but received no replies:

When thinking about funk, BG players come to mind. Are there any prominent DB funk players out there?

The question came to mind when I went to see a blues/rock quartet play last weekend, with great funky bass playing by Roger McLachlan and his 5 string Warwick NT. I was just wondering if a DB player could've possibly done that kind of gig?

By the way the band I went to see was <www.souldigger.com.au>. Had a great time, great music, very funky blues/rock type material.

I also enjoy Gov't Mule's material. Is it possible for a DB or EUB player to cover that kind of gig?

[flatwoundfender]

There's a lot of funky stuff that herbie hancock did with ron carter on bass. Not straight Tower of Power style funk, but layed back jazz funk. Like on the "empyrean isles" and "my point of view" albums.

[RiseOfTheWooten]

oh cool I'll check them out. anymore?

[flatwoundfender]

There's an album here Essence of Funk
Also with Ron Carter on bass which has some pretty funky stuff.
there's this thread in DB with a lot of good stuff
Funk Tunes

[peteroberts]

i think chris mcbride has some stuff
how about mmw? (chris wood)

[Matt Till]

Hub from the Roots lays down some very funky double bass. Especially the "Do you want more?!?!?!?!" album. Yes it is rap, but rap is mostly sampled funk... these guys create their tracks with instruments.

[Blkholesun]

Check out the album 'The Philadelphia Experiment'. ?uestlove on drums, Christian McBride plays a very funky DB as well as some funky bass guitar too. Sadly the name of the keyboardist eludes me but he is very good as well.

[JimK]

Philly Experiment-
Uri Caine is on keys(saying he is "very good" is an understatement) w/ Pat Martino on guitar.

I suppose some like The Bad Plus & even a band like Soul Coughing beacuse of the 'funky' URB.

John Patitucci, Dave Holland, Scott Colley, Ben Allison, John Lindberg, Tommy Kennedy, Trevor Dunn, Michael Formanek, Fima Ephron, Lonnie Plaxico, etc play some 'funky URB' when the need is there.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

It's definitely a looser style of funk, but Chris Wood of Medeski Martin and Wood plays some great greasy ostinatos on upright.

On the same sort of loose but funky feel, Soul Coughing has some great DB work.

[RiseOfTheWooten]

thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to check out some of the suggestions here. I've heard of Medeski Martin & Wood but always thought they were a country&western band, their names kinda sound like it.

[JimK]

...thanks for the Monday early morning laff; Country band, indeed!


If possible, check out John Medeski's album with the Torsos' "Fuse", Fima Ephron, & Gene Lake...Lunar Crush.

[j-raj]

Originally Posted by JimK

If possible, check out John Medeski's album with the Torsos' "Fuse", Fima Ephron, & Gene Lake...Lunar Crush.

...did I feel a disturbance in the force?

Another great example of Medeski, Sun's Anvil (Medeski/Jonathan Townes/Jeff Sipe/Neal Fountain/Count M'butu)... Killing album, very hard to find!

As for good Funk DB'er, Neil Starkey... from what I remember hearing is that he even played DB when he did a short stint with AWB... Killer jazz player and knows 1000's of standards, all in his memory!

[flatwoundfender]

Originally Posted by j-raj

...did I feel a disturbance in the force?

Another great example of Medeski, Sun's Anvil (Medeski/Jonathan Townes/Jeff Sipe/Neal Fountain/Count M'butu)... Killing album, very hard to find!

As for good Funk DB'er, Neil Starkey... from what I remember hearing is that he even played DB when he did a short stint with AWB... Killer jazz player and knows 1000's of standards, all in his memory!

The song MMW song "Chub Sub" has a great bassline to it.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by RiseOfTheWooten

thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to check out some of the suggestions here. I've heard of Medeski Martin & Wood but always thought they were a country&western band, ...

Which country?

[RiseOfTheWooten]

[quote=Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by RiseOfTheWooten

thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to check out some of the suggestions here. I've heard of Medeski Martin & Wood but always thought they were a country&western band, ...[\QUOTE]


Which country?

Country & Western.. you know - like Crosby Stills & Nash. Medeski Martin & Wood sounds like it's got the same ring to it.

[Ed Fuqua]

It's a joke son. You gotta stay alert or you miss these things.


You might also want to check out Mike Formanek's first record and a couple of duo records by Steve Rodby and Ross Traut. The latter especially, they do some duo arrangements of Motown tunes that are pretty hip and Rodby NAILS that particular eighth note feel with authenticity and authority.

[RiseOfTheWooten]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

It's a joke son. You gotta stay alert or you miss these things.

damn you, damn you to hell!! *shakes fist*

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by RiseOfTheWooten

damn you, damn you to hell!! *shakes fist*

CSN&Y is Country & Western???? It's called "Folk" if you want to pull them from "Classic Rock" where I consider them.

On topic, Soul Coughing & MMW are what come to mind... but nothing here is really "funk". Lots of "Groove" mentioned maybe just "not swing"

Maybe after a little while we can send this to the DB side to merge with what the DB players think

[RiseOfTheWooten]

Originally Posted by James Hart

CSN&Y is Country & Western???? It's called "Folk" if you want to pull them from "Classic Rock" where I consider them.

Admittedly, I haven't heard much of their music either.

[RiseOfTheWooten]

Originally Posted by James Hart

On topic, Soul Coughing & MMW are what come to mind... but nothing here is really "funk". Lots of "Groove" mentioned maybe just "not swing"

If that's the case, is 'funk' completely in the realm of BG players?