Bass Videos
The Latest Bass Music Video Finds: Reggae and Dub Bass / Bass Videos With Mark von Bergen
Meet Mark von Bergen –
In no musical genre does bass play a greater role than in Jamaican music. From the mid-50s through today, popular Jamaican music has gone through stylistic changes, starting with early ska, moving to rock steady, then to roots reggae and dub, and later to modern ska and dancehall. Today all of these styles, and many sub-styles, continue to have a major influence on popular music throughout the world. And in all of these styles, bass is the defining instrument.
In this issue and the next, we will focus on reggae bassists, specifically masters of the roots reggae and dub styles. One must check flashy chops and outside harmonies at the door to play these styles. Here simple two-bar repeating patterns are often the rule, especially in dub. If the bass patterns are often so simple and reggae even today is so popular, why can one name only a few true masters of the style? Playing reggae bass is more than just rolling off the treble, slapping a set of flatwounds on your bass, and donning a red, green, and gold stocking cap. What separates the great reggae bass players from the rest is rhythmic feel – and it is virtually impossible to imitate. Let’s look at some of the great reggae bassists in this installment, and next time we will examine masters of dub.
Aston “Family Man” Barrett
Family Man is generally considered the father of reggae bass. He began as a first-call studio bassist in the late-60s in Jamaica and, together with his brother Carlton Barrett on drums, went on stardom with Bob Marley’s Wailers in the 70s. Today he continues to tour with the Wailers. This clip shows Fams with Bob Marley and the Wailers performing “Natural Mystic.” Check out the deep groove that precedes the tune.
Robbie Shakespeare
A disciple of Family Man, Robbie and his riddim twin Sly Dunbar on drums have constituted one of the most prolific and influential rhythm sections as well as production teams in all of popular music over the last three decades. While the duo has made a mark in a wide variety of styles with everyone from Bob Dylan to No Doubt to Herbie Hancock, Robbie’s style of bass has never strayed far from the roots reggae style born in the 70s in the Trenchtown-Kingston area. Here Sly & Robbie perform “What is Life?” with Black Uhuru. Serious dub begins at about the 3:58 mark.
Errol “Flabba” Holt
Flabba is the bassist in one of reggae’s longest-running back-up bands, Roots Radics, and has also recorded with the Itals, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs, Culture, Israel Vibrations, and Dub Syndicate and other Adrian Sherwood projects out of England. Flabba is shown here with Roots Radics and Israel Vibrations from 1993.
Survey of Reggae Styles
Here is an entertaining and informative video by educator Ed Friedland, in support of on his book on the different styles of Jamaican bass titled “Bass Builders: Reggae Bass” (Hal Leonard Corporation, 1998). Check out the over-the-top hat and “wig.” Jah Rastafari, anyone? No one?
Bass Player Health
Preparing for Performance with Dr. Randy Kertz
Preparing for Performance…
This month we discuss how to prepare for a performance and easy strategies that go a long way.
Dr. Randall Kertz is the author of The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health. Click here to get your copy today!
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Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes…
It is always great to meet a super busy bassist who simply exudes a love for music and his instrument. Erick “Jesus” Coomes fits this description exactly. Hailing from Southern California, “Jesus” co-founded and plays bass for Lettuce and has found his groove playing with numerous other musicians.
Join us as we hear of his musical journey, how he gets his sound, his ongoing projects, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Bob Forte
Featured Videos
Visit Online
www.lettucefunk.com
IG @jesuscsuperstar
FB@jesuscoomes
FB @lettucefunk
Bass Videos
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
“These stories from the front are with real-life, day-to-day musicians who deal with work life and gigging and how they make it work out. Each month, topics may include… the kind of gigs you get, the money, dealing with less-than-ideal rooms, as well as the gear you need to get the job done… and the list goes on from there.” – Steve the Bass Guy and Shawn Cav
Bass Videos
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Ian Allison Bassist extreme…
Most recently Ian has spent the last seven years touring nationally as part of Eric Hutchinson and The Believers, sharing stages with acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips, and Cory Wong playing venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Staples Center and The Xcel Center in St. Paul, MN.
I had a chance to meet up with him at the Sellersville Theater in Eastern Pennsylvania to catch up on everything bass. Visit online at ianmartinallison.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Spector Launches Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II…
Spector Musical Instruments expands their celebrated Woodstock Custom Collection with the Volume II series – a breathtaking series of 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bass guitars, each one masterfully designed by members of the Spector team. Crafted in the Spector USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, New York, these works of art go beyond musical instruments and expand the boundaries of Spector Bass design.
Spector’s iconic design lays the foundation for the Volume II collection. Each bass showcases a unique vision, including the selection of tonewoods, electronics, captivating finishes, and intricate design details. The collection highlights Spector’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry and the individual people and stories that make up the team.
“The Woodstock Custom Collection was such a huge success, and we had so much fun with it that we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said John Stippell, Director – Korg Bass Division. “With Volume II, we’re expanding on everything we learned from the first collection, as well as pushing our design and Custom Shop team even further. These basses are a testament to the inspiring talent, creativity, and skill of every person on the Spector team. I’m excited for all of these basses and love how they tell the unique stories of all involved.”
Visit online at spectorbass.com/
Preparing for Performance with Dr. Randy Kertz
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Preparing for Performance with Dr. Randy Kertz
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Guy Pratt, Not Your Average Guy – May 2024 Issue
The Frank Brocklehurst 6-String Fretless Bass Build
