Night Shift by the Commodores: electric bass, or synth?

[cazclocker]

Moderators, I wasn't really sure what forum to put this in. Please move it if needed.

I've been re-listening to Night Shift by the Commodores, for like the millionth time. It's just got this hypnotic, haunting, elegant groove (to me, anyway) that mesmerizes me every time. I'm about to tackle it even though I don't have a fretless - just for fun. My current bands wouldn't even consider playing it - I'd just like to have it under my hands.

But I remember reading somewhere that it wasn't recorded with an electric fretless bass - it's a synth. Well, if it's a synth, it's a pretty good sample of an electric fretless. But something about the near-infinite sustain I hear tells me that it might indeed be a synth after all.

Anybody know what's what on that track?

 

[JimK]

...pretty sure I have that LP stashed at my mom's; if I remember, I look to see if the credits reveal anything.

Now, in the time frame of that album, synthesizers were becoming more sophisticated.
There was the time a good friend was showing (off) me his brand new Ensoniq Mirage's bass samples.
Play the key lightly: Nice fretless bass
Play a bit harder: Nice fretted bass
Harder: Nice slap bass

Honestly, it was impressive.
So, my friend sez "...see, you can be replaced".
What he did not realize: In time, the whole damn band was replaced.

 

[cazclocker]

Thanks, JimK. If you get a chance to look at the credits, would you please mention your findings here?

 

[markjazzbassist]

Yamaha dx 7 preset 18

 

[cazclocker]

Yamaha dx 7 preset 18

Okay, that's interesting. Not just a common synth, but it's a preset to boot! Thanks.

 

[markjazzbassist]

Okay, that's interesting. Not just a common synth, but it's a preset to boot! Thanks.

Results of a Google search. Not sure if it's accurate but maybe look up YouTube dx 7 video and see if someone goes through the presets. That will clinch it for you.

 

[markjazzbassist]

Preset 15 or 16. At the end of 16 he makes it sounds like the Commodores tone. I think that's it.

 

[tfer]

The official video, has the bassist dancing with a Steinberger.

Not sure what else he's doing!

 

[tfer]

 

[cazclocker]

Preset 15 or 16. At the end of 16 he makes it sounds like the Commodores tone. I think that's it.

I saw that video. I agree, 16 sounds like the bass tone in Nightshift.

The official video, has the bassist dancing with a Steinberger.

Not sure what else he's doing!

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Steinberger is a prop for the video, and a synth was the actual instrument in the studio. Regardless of the instrumentation, the bassline remains a thing of beauty - just my opinion.

 

[JimK]

The official video, has the bassist dancing with a Steinberger.

Not sure what else he's doing!

At this point, they had become a Show Band...such a far cry from their hard Funk-Rock days ("Machine Gun", "Fancy Dancer", "Come Inside", etc).

 

[cazclocker]

It would be interesting to read some interviews with some of the producers or engineers - if interviews like that exist. Maybe, over the years, such interviews have appeared in some of the magazines. All I know is that to me, it's a gorgeous bass line and not out of reach for a competent fretless player. There seem to be several youtube vids out there with cats copping the Nightshift groove.

 

[Bob_Ross]

it's a gorgeous bass line and not out of reach for a competent fretless player.

True...but given the context (time frame, and what was happening in terms of pop/R&B music production at that time) I would bet mega-gobs of money that not only is the line played on a MIDI'd keyboard synthesizer, but also that the producers never even entertained the notion of having it played on a real bass guitar.

 

[markjazzbassist]

I saw that video. I agree, 16 sounds like the bass tone in Nightshift.


I have a sneaking suspicion that the Steinberger is a prop for the video, and a synth was the actual instrument in the studio. Regardless of the instrumentation, the bassline remains a thing of beauty - just my opinion.

Agreed. I had to learn it for a cover band that never happened but it was always a fun one to play when practicing.

 

[DWBass]

It's either a synth or a bass through some sort of effects. But I've never heard any effects pedal make that type of sound.

Having said that, I found this. Interesting. Ron LePread on bass. Guess it was his own band.


Side bar: Wow, Ron LePread doing covers.

 

[JimK]

…well, he still has that smile.
Good for him.

 

[nolaguy]

I was wondering if there's any truth to story that Billy Nelson of Funkadelic played on the Cup
Commodores' early recordings.

 

[cazclocker]

It's either a synth or a bass through some sort of effects. But I've never heard any effects pedal make that type of sound.

Having said that, I found this. Interesting. Ron LePread on bass. Guess it was his own band.


Side bar: Wow, Ron LePread doing covers.

Dang, I wish I could sing like that! I love Ron's voice on that track. I wish I could sing at all...sigh...

 

[jerry]

I seem to remember it being a synth when I learned it for a gig back in the day. Thompson Twins, Howard Jones, Thomas Dolby Alanah Miles etc had records out that had pretty convincing fretless patchs on them.

 

[JimK]

Thanks, JimK. If you get a chance to look at the credits, would you please mention your findings here?

...looks like others have answered your question.
I did remember to look at the LP's credits today. Totally lame credits...just a long list of "Additional Musicians".
Peter Wolf, Jeff Lorber, et al are listed for keys, programming, blah.
"Ready" Freddie Washington & Neil Stubenhaus on bass.
John Robinson (of Rufus) & Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, etc...
A host of guitarists, too.

At this point, there are but 5 Commodores (no Ritchie, no McClary).
A shame what the powers-to-be did to this band...they are made up like pretty boyz...a stellar Funk-Rock band transformed into a Vegas/lounge act.
And J.D. Nicholas is made up like a Morris Day-wannabe.