Who has the tightest rhythm section?

[BobaFret]

Mike Clarke & Paul Jackson

...part of the "tightness" equation/factor for me means both players are able to go 'outside' what the other is laying down; the other player hears & knows that...which may mean the kick & bass are not locked in the traditional sense.

This is the correct answer.

 

[probert]

Roger Glover + Ian Paice (Deep Purple)
JPH + Bonzo
Steve Harris & Nico McBrain (did I spell him correctly?)

 

[DeathFromBelow]

Lars Ulrich and Bob Rock?

 

[Disraeli Gears]

Alex Dmochowski and Godfrey Maclean have always blown me away on Peter Green's "The End of the Game."

Here's a track from the album:

 

[Staunch]

NoMeansNo ... Rob and John Wright

Totally stole my thunder.

Either them or Battles, Helmet, Tomahawk... anything with John Stanier.

Well... then there's Shellac...

 

[Altitude]

Dennis Chambers and whomever the bass player is on the Steely Dan "Live In America" set.

Dennis Chambers and anyone good enough to keep up with him.

 

[RedLeg]

Medeski Martin and Wood get my vote

 

[gre107]

Victor Wooten Group. These guys are on 100% all of the time hands down... Even when they aren't playing!

Marcus Miller

Jazz Pistols

Marcelo Maia Group

and many more....

 

[Clark Dark]

Dennis Chambers & Skeet Curtis
Mike Clarke & Paul Jackson
Steve Ferrone & Anthony Jackson
Jerome Brailey & Boogie Mossoon

 

[Loki182]

Rage Against the Machine : Tim Commerford & Brad Wilk

 

[geribassist]

Rage Against the Machine : Tim Commerford & Brad Wilk

YES!!! I'm surprised that they weren't mentioned earlier. Down Rodeo is a great example of how tight they are.

 

[tk421]

when i think of super-tight, i think of the following:

Karma To Burn - especially on the first 4-song EP ...
RHCP - the BSSM album ... suck my kiss and mellowship slinky stand out ...
Kenny G - Duotones - amazing combination of Vail Johnson and Bruce Carter (RIP)
firehose - watt & hurley just have amazing chemistry.
the love cowboys - ya, if you aren't from SW ohio, you probably don't know em. super tight late 80's whiteboy funk extraordinaire.

 

[wayphun]

Sly & Robbie

 

[homecooken]

Huey Lewis and the News and Blues Traveler.

 

[tangentmusic]

John Paul Jones and Bonzo are tough to top.

Agreed

 

[20db pad]

Anthony Jackson and Steve Gadd, via Simon and Garfunkel's "The Concert in Central Park".

 

[okcrum]

Mike Clarke & Paul Jackson

...part of the "tightness" equation/factor for me means both players are able to go 'outside' what the other is laying down; the other player hears & knows that...which may mean the kick & bass are not locked in the traditional sense.

Yeah, this.

 

[Hopper]

I would say:

1. Bob Marley's band
2. Tower of Power
3. The Specials

 

[s_mcsleazy]

todd trainer and bob weston - shellac
brenden canty and joe lally - fugazi
roland (the drum machine) and dave riley - big black

 

[dave_p]

Bill Bruford and Tony Levin of King Crimson in the 80s. Wow, just Wow!

beat me to it

and sade's band as well is very tight.