Lyris Writes:
When we talk about bass, I feel like it’s one of the most recognizable vibrations.
When you listen to music, it’s the base you feel.
There’s been so many songs imprinted in my life – since I was a baby – because of the bass. I wanted to share those with the community, but also get your take. I wanted to hear what bass tracks were out there that I’ve never heard of and yet, still hear that vibration.
You gotta understand, Motown for me was my true introduction to musicianship – to know that it was literally jazz musicians that created this sound. My father played Motown all the time and it created an imprint on me – musically – it was James – that sound – that vibration.
It may come as no surprise to know that I keep a James Jamerson bobblehead above my workstation!
Andrew Writes:
What I really liked about this list was the blending of the genres – knowing that you were going to bring the funk and – ‘cos I’ve seen your Jamerson bobblehead – suspecting we might spend a fair amount of time in Motown – I was actively looking to see if we could bounce around the different grooves – and I think we nailed it.
Going from Rage Against the Machine into Tom Browne sounds like a stretch on paper and yet sonically it’s just perfect – likewise, going from the O’Jays into The Stranglers really shouldn’t work and yet – again – the bass makes the introduction and everything plays beautifully together.
For sure we got down into the virtuosos: Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and hey – even Rick James, are all known for being heavy cats on the bass, but there’s still plenty of super accessible tracks from Selena Gomez to Chaka Khan that make the whole list a joy to listen to!
Photo by Polygon Group on Unsplash
About the Curators
Lyris Greene - The Hybrid Specialist
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.