Mark Adams ( Stone Jam aka Grung Funk !!

[BuffaloBass]

Slave B, here's the deal.... to relay to Drac....

Mark has to understand what a HUGE influence he's been. We arent talkin' bout some "star" worship BS, partying, or bustin' a nut while you and your girl are listening to "Just A Little Bit", we are talking PERMANENT alterations of the landscape here.

If I may site three examples....

1.) TO me the most important. Mark served as an inspiriation to a young guitar player, who went and picked up a bass and became an EXEMPLARY bass instructor, devoting his life to it. Now Ant has a dedicated bass teaching studio in MD. I've done online courses with Ant, and I sure hope to press his flesh and get some "funky finger time" live, soon.

Mark was key in inspiring my slap bass professor to pursue bass and devote his life to teaching it. Invalid Link Removed

2.) You don't have to look past the few current funk threads here at Talk Bass to see what an impact Mark has had on players. Huge.

3.) Personally, when I hear someone so "in tune" with the instrument, where you can feel the funk on his fingers, its an inspiration. Unfortunately, I suffer from what I consider a physical handicap in a way. I came into this world with a white shell. And the world wants to keep it white for some reason. I don't. I use players like Mark to help me chip away at the whiteass shell, so I can feel the funk in my core where color is not any sort of issue. Its all red inside man.

And its not just about music, the process of chipping away at the shell, for me, is about growing as a human being.

So you tell 'em B Slave, you tell 'em we THANK HIM, you tell 'em we LOVE what he did to the landscape. You tell him we miss him and hope all is alright.

You tell 'em if he is dealing with a devil, that many of us had a similar devil to deal with. It takes a ton of strength, maybe some support, often a cateclysmic event but you can SLAY the devil. Gut that MF right in place so you can grow into the superior being our Maker intended for ALL of us.

You tell 'em that B Slave. We thank him, we love him, we miss 'em.

Peace. Out.

 

[DWBass]

^^Word!^^

 

[Sounbwoy]

Unfortunately, I suffer from what I consider a physical handicap in a way. I came into this world with a white shell. And the world wants to keep it white for some reason. I don't. I use players like Mark to help me chip away at the whiteass shell, so I can feel the funk in my core where color is not any sort of issue. Its all red inside man.

Well said. And being in a white shell has nothing to do with whether you can feel the funk or not. It's in your mind, and THAT'S where it matters. If you can feel it and you can play it, it's all good.

 

[terrelli721]

It sure is Sounbwoy, and anytime you're in naptown Buffalo we can hang out at the soulfood club and jam all night!!!!

 

[BuffaloBass]

CPG's. Wings on me. You're on.

( aint native here in Buff, it aint bad, but I've lived in hipper 10-20s ).

 

[terrelli721]

My pleasure bro. Since we're on the subject of Mark. Does anybody know what type of chorus he used on snapshot?

 

[DWBass]

Well said. And being in a white shell has nothing to do with whether you can feel the funk or not. It's in your mind, and THAT'S where it matters. If you can feel it and you can play it, it's all good.

I don't think Jaco, Rocco, Rick Finch, Ricky Showalter or Vail Johnson has had any problems with playing the funk!!

 

[BassSlave]

I've just spoke with Drac on the phone and he said that he and Mark was doing a studio session last week. He says that Mark is still kicking butt on bass, but he is still dealing with personal issues. He knows the bass community loves and appreciates what he has contributed and he is still putting new music out. I have heard some of the tunes they are working on and it sounds like the original Slave funk complete with busy bass and slides, pops, grunts and such. I have always has great respect for Mark Adams as the very first tune I played on my first bass in '76 was 'Slide' and to come 360 degrees and be asked to fill in for him was more than an honor.

 

[BassSlave]

When I met Mark, I asked the same question and his response was a little misleading to me. I don't think that he wants anyone to know exactly. What he told me was that when they record, he has full access to every effect on the market and that he probably used an Eventide, but I don't know if they even existed back in the '70's so can someone verify this? If they did exist, maybe Mr. Adams did use an Eventide. I have programmed the same chorus and flange with my V-bass as a pedal effect only and not with the COSM stuff added. It gets very close.

My pleasure bro. Since we're on the subject of Mark. Does anybody know what type of chorus he used on snapshot?

 

[BassSlave]

Buffalo B, I couldn't agree with you more. Personally, back in the day I thought Mark Adams, Aaron Mills (a good personal friend), Bootsy, and Verdine White were the funkiest on the planet. They, along with many many others have shaped my own identity within the community. I also think that guys like Wellington are doing a great service by giving back what they have learned. Just think where we all would be now if we had access to the internet and the many active players today while in our early development? For the old schoolers, I know you can relate.....................

1.) TO me the most important. Mark served as an inspiriation to a young guitar player, who went and picked up a bass and became an EXEMPLARY bass instructor, devoting his life to it. Now Ant has a dedicated bass teaching studio in MD. I've done online courses with Ant, and I sure hope to press his flesh and get some "funky finger time" live, soon.

 

[terrelli721]

Thanks. I figured it was some type of chorus, but wasn't really sure. Are those some of the main types of effects you like?

 

[Lo end PUNCH]

Yeah I don't think Eventide was out then,if they were, they were probably special made components. The basslines that I really loved though was "Come to blow ya mind" and "Baby Sinister" and the tone on "Volcano rupture" is insane. I'd love to know what Steve Washington is up to these days, is playing is wicked man, "Are you Single" is a bass anthem around these parts. There were two songs we had to know to be respected back in the days "GLIDE"-Nate Phillips and "Are you single"-Aurra-Steve Washington.

 

[BassSlave]

I only use effects if the music calls for it. I don't have any favs only have experience with a V-Bass A/DA Flanger, MoogerFooger LP Filter, and EBS Octabass (Sucks!)

I like switching basses to achieve different tones and attitudes, for me this is an effect in itself.

Thanks. I figured it was some type of chorus, but wasn't really sure. Are those some of the main types of effects you like?

 

[DWBass]

I've found using a chorus kills my low end! Have you experienced the same? I know it can be eq'd back in but.................

 

[Woodchuck]

I've found using a chorus kills my low end! Have you experienced the same? I know it can be eq'd back in but.................

+1.

 

[BassSlave]

The V-bass allows you to select the X-over freq at which it will operate. This lets you keep your low end nice and tight. Another option is to just use your effects loop in parallel with your dry bass and balance it so that your dry low end is audible with your effect.

I've found using a chorus kills my low end! Have you experienced the same? I know it can be eq'd back in but.................

 

[BuffaloBass]

Haha, my kids want to get me a Mutone for Father's day since they like Bootsy's use of it! I have an old Effectron II analog unit that does ( did, my 5 yr old broke it!) a wonderful job of flanging a bass.

B Slave, internet is boss, for sure. That's where I ran into "latent racism", trying to find a funk/slap teacher here locally. Its like not what people say neccessarily, but I can can sense it. Of course, I'm perfectly camoflagued as something you wouldn't expect, so they are unaware of thier obvious value judgements.

Can't tell you how happy I was to run into Anthony over at Link Removed. Would recommend that site for amatuers like me for sure. Maybe even pros.

Mark, I hope you kill that MF devil that haunts you. Slay it hard, slay it dead, so you can live FREE!

 

[BassSlave]

The only thing I disagree with Jauqo on is that Mark TOTALLY overplayed all the time, yet remained true to the groove. There is not a single tune I can think of that he plays on that didn't have some sort of 'Markism' within every 4 bars and sometimes every bar. His style reminds me of another loose player being Ed "Funky Thumbs" Reddick. And if you don't know who he is, wait until you do. Ed would basically groove in the studio and the band would then cut the songs after his bass jams. That band being the L.A. Boppers. I forgot to mention Eddie as one of my major influences as he was strictly a thumb player and never played the same thing twice. Back to Mark, his things grooved because the band allowed him to be the only one busy, except when the guitar soloed of course. He still played within his own funky limitations and that's what I love about him to this day. I jammed with him recently on Slide and he played everything but the main three note groove, he let me do that while he danced all over the place. Plus most of the songs in his band are in the key of E and even I have had memory drops onstage and forgot briefly which groove went with which tune. I do agree with Jauqo in that he gave the song what was needed and the bass should always have a few surprises in that particular band's setting. Drac also told me that they have been rehearsing with Mark Adams and Steve Washington back on drums. It might put me in the bass unemployment line, but I wouldn't have it any other way for a chance to see the original finger funker himself. He did tell me to hold tight as they will still need me and I wouldn't be surprised if they do another gig with the both of us on bass. The first time we did that was in Baton Rouge LA, and Mark soloed through the entire show, except on Slide where there was a bass duo. We simply told the sound guy to put Adam's bass only in the monitors and use discretion when to put him in the house. He was very wild back in '96. I hope that cleared up.....a little.....

Mark Adams is a true pioneer of individuality as a Bass player and overall talent,never overplayed always gave the song just what was needed,even to this Day there is no Bass player that has that sound .

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I remember the LA Boppers! I can believe their records were recorded around the bass!

 

[BuffaloBass]

Ya see, and I thought that on stuff like " Weak in the Knees" ( sorry, I';m terrible at song names) he held a tight groove with discipline, and then in the "bridge" gives us a quick Stanley rif, and jumps back in the pocket. Again, that's old studio, not current live. Love that simple groove in that tune . As does our drummer. ( the rest of the band,, well....we's tryin' to convert them)

But, again, as you say, the guitar and keys are holding a very simple clean pattern there, the voice is doing all the work.

Man, I gotta see some live funk/ You guys are freaking me out. Now I want to play with brass and keys and NO guitars in the band. And a bevy of singing' sistas on MY side of the stage! ( don't worry kids - married and a loyal dog, just like to scent 'em is all!)

Hey B Slave, thanks for sharing man. Really. Its down to have pros like you sharing here. Learnin' us good!