Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

[lordradish]

The Roland is pretty straight ahead linear stuff. I’ll be interested in your findings as the only reason I can see for choosing it over a Digitakt is the 808 sound. Elektron can seem unintuitive at first, but it’s sequencer is so powerful with parameter locking, trig conditions, trigless trigs, etc., which doesn’t mean you have to use those features all the time.

I can barely lay down an acceptable simple groove I'm happy with, and I didn't really need all of those extra features... I did understand them, quite well, surprisingly, but again, barely being able to make a groove, those were just getting in the way, if anything. I like the linear approach of the Roland, works better for my rhythmically-challenged mind.

 

[dukeorock]

I can barely lay down an acceptable simple groove I'm happy with, and I didn't really need all of those extra features... I did understand them, quite well, surprisingly, but again, barely being able to make a groove, those were just getting in the way, if anything. I like the linear approach of the Roland, works better for my rhythmically-challenged mind.

Yep, whatever gets you there!

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

I can barely lay down an acceptable simple groove I'm happy with, and I didn't really need all of those extra features... I did understand them, quite well, surprisingly, but again, barely being able to make a groove, those were just getting in the way, if anything. I like the linear approach of the Roland, works better for my rhythmically-challenged mind.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I would include Cuong Vu's trio in anything jazz/rock discussion wise.

Shameless name-dropping: Cuong Vu played in my band for ~6 months in the early 1990s ...so, he woulda been what, 12 years old at the time? (Kidding...but he was fresh out of NEC, so maybe 20, 21?) Holy crap, talk about a talented musician! I've had the good fortune to have played with some seriously badass trumpet players over the years -- Herb Robertson, Taylor Ho Bynum, Keith Hedger, Mike Peipman -- and Cuong at age 21 was already playing at their level if not several notches higher. Seriously mind-blowing.

i don’t get stomu at all. not sure what people like about him.

I've only paid close attention to Stomu Takeshi once, when I was mixing Henry Threadgill's Make A Move band and Stomu was on bass. But I distinctly remember thinking to myself "wow...that bass player is playing exactly what I would play if I were in that situation!" It was uncanny. I really need to check out more of his work to see if that was an anomaly.

 

[emjazz]

i don’t get stomu at all. not sure what people like about him.

I know. Hahaha. We've had that discussion I think. His approach is 100% his own. He finds a space that is wholly his own. His sound is undeniably original and personal. He fills space in a trio like no one else, and he can play very spacious in a larger ensemble. Last I saw him last year he is now only playing with his right hand thumb, not using his other fingers to pluck the notes, because it's the sound that he wants to get. I appreciate that level of dedication. I love his unorthodox approach, the sounds that he gets, and that he isn't tied to the bass while still somewhat filling that role. I think it's courageous, honest, bold, and original. I know that it's not for everyone, but I love it.

 

[cosmicevan]

Damn!!!!
That is good.
Nerd question: What the heck is that bass??

Been a fan of Fuze since the 1st Screaming Headless Torsos album.
I transcribed that entire record, Fima Ephron on bass......awesome playing.

Damn, those bands take me back.
Late 90s NYC stuff. Still have all the records and the live Toros DVD.
Gene Lake just had taken over from Jojo on drums for the Torsos. Crazy MOFO, I first heard Gene Lake with Steve Coleman and 5 elements live from Paris albums.
Way of the Cypher, Myth Modes and means...then Curves of live.

Way of the Cypher completely flipped my world upside down.
Still does.

I never used to hear anyone talk about the screaming headless torsos and now I feel like I keep hearing people talk about them. In high school I got into the jam scene and used to frequent the Wetlands in NYC and ended up seeing the Torsos a bunch of times (cause that's not the kind of name you forget). I was a HUGE Moon Boot Lover fan (and dug moe. and those other bands that never really took off) and they used to double bill w the torsos all the time. Ah memories. I miss going to the wetlands...much simpler times then.

 

[emjazz]

Shameless name-dropping: Cuong Vu played in my band for ~6 months in the early 1990s ...so, he woulda been what, 12 years old at the time? (Kidding...but he was fresh out of NEC, so maybe 20, 21?) Holy crap, talk about a talented musician! I've had the good fortune to have played with some seriously badass trumpet players over the years -- Herb Robertson, Taylor Ho Bynum, Keith Hedger, Mike Peipman -- and Cuong at age 21 was already playing at their level if not several notches higher. Seriously mind-blowing.




I've only paid close attention to Stomu Takeshi once, when I was mixing Henry Threadgill's Make A Move band and Stomu was on bass. But I distinctly remember thinking to myself "wow...that bass player is playing exactly what I would play if I were in that situation!" It was uncanny. I really need to check out more of his work to see if that was an anomaly.

Henry, for me, as as good as it gets.

 

[emjazz]

I never used to hear anyone talk about the screaming headless torsos and now I feel like I keep hearing people talk about them. In high school I got into the jam scene and used to frequent the Wetlands in NYC and ended up seeing the Torsos a bunch of times (cause that's not the kind of name you forget). I was a HUGE Moon Boot Lover fan (and dug moe. and those other bands that never really took off) and they used to double bill w the torsos all the time. Ah memories. I miss going to the wetlands...much simpler times then.

Ha! Moon Boot Lover. They're from my area. When they came up there were soooo many great bands up here at that time. They're still around. Whenever they play a good friend plays bass for them.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Henry, for me, as as good as it gets.

Henry???

 

[steubig]

Shameless name-dropping: Cuong Vu played in my band for ~6 months in the early 1990s ...-- Herb Robertson, Taylor Ho Bynum, Keith Hedger, Mike Peipman --

those first three players alone are stupid good. (doesn’t seem shameless to me.)

I've only paid close attention to Stomu Takeshi once, when I was mixing Henry Threadgill's Make A Move band and Stomu was on bass. But I distinctly remember thinking to myself "wow...that bass player is playing exactly what I would play if I were in that situation!" It was uncanny. I really need to check out more of his work to see if that was an anomaly.

there’s an intro he does on one of henry’s tunes that really bugs me. too jaco-ish. maybe that was laswell’s fault.

my fave later henry bands are the ones with the tuba players. (and them there’s hopkins and mccall in air, whew!)

 

[emjazz]

those first three players alone is stupid good. (doesn’t seem shameless to me.




there’s an intro he does on one of henry’s tunes that really bugs me. too jaco-ish. maybe that was laswell’s fault.

my fave later henry bands are the ones with the. tuba players. (and them there’s hopkins and mccall in air, whew!)

Air is amazing!!!!

 

[steubig]

I know. Hahaha. We've had that discussion I think. His approach is 100% his own. He finds a space that is wholly his own. His sound is undeniably original and personal. He fills space in a trio like no one else, and he can play very spacious in a larger ensemble. Last I saw him last year he is now only playing with his right hand thumb, not using his other fingers to pluck the notes, because it's the sound that he wants to get. I appreciate that level of dedication. I love his unorthodox approach, the sounds that he gets, and that he isn't tied to the bass while still somewhat filling that role. I think it's courageous, honest, bold, and original. I know that it's not for everyone, but I love it.

ha!

i’ve seen him live a few times. he’s on a bunch of records i own. doesn’t do it for me. (skuli i get.)

it’s okay, he doesn’t give a $hit about me.

 

[emjazz]

Henry???

Sorry..Threadgill. The best.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Sorry..Threadgill. The best.

Any records I should start with??

 

[Bob_Ross]

Any records I should start with??

I'm with @steubig you definitely have to check out Threadgill's Too Much Sugar For A Dime just for the massed tubas!

Well, and also for the awesome compositions, and inspired playing, and Gene Lake on drums OMG! But dose massed tubas, holy schidt... :::swoon:::

 

[steubig]

@ugly_bassplayer

air was big in the aacm.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

I'm with @steubig you definitely have to check out Threadgill's Too Much Sugar For A Dime just for the massed tubas!

Well, and also for the awesome compositions, and inspired playing, and Gene Lake on drums OMG! But dose massed tubas, holy schidt... :::swoon:::

@ugly_bassplayer

air was big in the aacm.

On it!!!

Added to playlist for tonight.
Thanks!!!.
Was digging for new stuff. (Always am...)

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

@ugly_bassplayer

air was big in the aacm.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

How the Efff did I miss Air with Threadgill????
I know a lot of the dudes around them like the Art E of CH, AACM collective....., Chico, Braxton, Bowie.....etc.....

First record I heard out of there was Stance a Sophie by the AEOC.

Someone kick me in the B@llzz please.

 

[steubig]

lol

their heyday was before your time.

fred hopkins is a bad man.

steve mcall was instrumental in getting the aacm going.

george lewis wrote a pretty good book about the aacm. i found the first ten (or so?) chapters riveting.