Simple, but hypnotic bass lines

[mongo2]

I try to play lines as simple and hypnotic as possible. I'm fine if they put me to sleep.

Fever...


Temptation...


Hallelujah...

 

[Bunk McNulty]

first couple of songs

Thai Funk from Texas! Yeah baby!

 

[antfarm]

Speaking of Khruangbin and simple, hypnotic basslines: this is the album that Laura Lee used to learn to play the bass, on the advice of Mark Lee.

 

[the federalist]

The Lollipops - Naked When You Come

This is one of the few songs I can play and sing along to, so that's something in itself.
Check out the lyrics. Heavy heavy and so true.

G|----------------------------------------------------------------|. D|------------------------------------------------3---------------|. A|----------------3---------------5-----------------------5-------|. E|5-----------------------5---------------------------------------|


Carlton Livingston - 100 Weight Of Collie Weed

Another song I can play and sing along to, but who can top this outstanding vocal? (I can assure you this well-seasoned white guy's rendition is worse than laughable). Hot Milk riddim at it's finest. Really, really great sad lyrics on this one, too.

 

[maxschrek]

Jane's Addiction - Mountain Song (or any other, really)
Talking Heads - Take Me To The River
Pretenders - Mystery Achievement
Nazareth - Fast Cars
Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side

 

[ardgedee]

Liquid Liquid - "Cavern"

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

 

[digmeout]

Dreams- Fleetwood Mac.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Simple as can be but awesome.

 

[westrock]

 

[mrjim123]

Simple enough, but a lot of players would struggle with the offbeat groove. Hypnotic - yeah, Simple? You decide.

"Now don't touch the knobs, cause I think we're gonna have some fun with this one".

 

[REV]

Fodderstompf by Jah Wobble/PiL

 

[westrock]

 

[biobass]

Agreed! Fever was the second song that I thought of. David Hood’s bassline on The Staple Singers “I’ll Take You There” was the first.

 

[juggahnaught]

Simple, but hypnotic bass lines

Some of the best examples of this are in dub music. Hypnotic is a part of the genre and the bass drives everything.



Other examples in R&B include stuff like this, where the bassline drives the song:



Here's a Latin example that I love (I'll often play the parts into my looper, and just play bass under it):



Here's a more "traditional" example by a band from Argentina:



One thing worth noting about all of these examples is that the drums are also very steady and all instruments that play a rhythmic role are locked in perfectly. Without this, it just doesn't work.

 

[jbl71004]

 

[sooneramt]

The Less I Know The Better by Tame Impala and I Will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab For Cutie come to mind. The bass line on I Will Possess Your Heart is super creepy and dark and it sounds like it’s stalking you but it’s absolutely fantastic.

 

[blackat]

Everything Jah Wobble has ever played.

 

[bass12]

For me reggae is an obvious choice. Choose any of the classic riddims and there you go. Other stuff:

Maxwell - Ascension - YouTube

White Hot Day (2002 Remastered) - YouTube

 

[Dave TB Killer]

Massive Attack
Portishead
Mazzy Star