Best bassline in disco music

**Com King** · February 5th, 2003, 10:55 AM

The topic about the violins is back again, so I think it's a good idea to tak about the most important thing for me in disco : the bassline.

For me the best bassline ever is in azoto : soft emotion ...

This song is simply great, the bassline is absolutely fantastic and you can't prevent your feet from dancing.

Munich Machine's get on the funk train is another great example, where he bassline makes the song.

**tdaram** · February 5th, 2003, 11:16 AM

hey com king.
better than azoto i would say that BOHANNON LET S START THE DANCE is a good bassline.

**K-Bee** · February 5th, 2003, 11:22 AM

Well, without thinking too much about it:

Locksmith - Far Beyond. It may be more straight jazz/funk than disco but it's still great. Basement Jaxx sampled it for their "Red Alert" a few years back.

For best synth bass line: BB & Q Band - Dreamer (12" version).

**QUINNY** · February 5th, 2003, 04:21 PM

Geez this is difficult I thought, until.........any excuse to drag out my numero uno pick in the last top 500 submission. You know what's coming........
Rhythm Makers - Zone.
It's still one of the most extraordinary funky pieces of bass playing ever.
Some others that pop my fingers and reach for the volume control are:
The Quick - Zulu
David Grant - Stop & Go
Ripple - The Beat Goes On
Chic - Good Times especially the way the notes are mixed in length all the time 2, 8, 3, 5 against the solid 4/4 beat. Brilliant!
Jimmy Young - Times Are Tight almost acts like a see saw against the rhythm.

There's loads of others if only I could think about them.

**Giovanni** · February 5th, 2003, 05:47 PM

There are many fantastic basslines but THE bassline is simply CHIC: Good times

**MPS** · February 5th, 2003, 06:08 PM

I definitely agree on Chic - Good Times... aint a coincidence that Sugarhill Gang picked it up either...

This is a tough one, easy to forget many great bass lines...

You Got the Floor - Arthur Adams

You're a Star - Aquarian Dream (maybe this is jazzfunk or whatever, but it's made in the superb disco year 1978, and it's the tightest, funkiest I've heard so far...)

Feel the Real - David Bendeth (the above comment may apply on this one too... ;) )

Get On Down - The Dells (beautifully with unisone bass and clavinet, as produced by Norman Harris)

In Good Faith - Norman Harris (same as above!)

Marcio** · February 5th, 2003, 10:49 PM

BaSsLiNe is essential, it works like a tongue ("Accidental Lover" by Love & Kisses) or like a wave ("Lust" by Rinder & Lewis), my ideas are...

1) "I'm OK you're Ok" by American Gipsy

2) "Bayou" by Barry White & Love Unlimited Orchestra

.

**jazz_pilgrim** · February 6th, 2003, 05:52 AM

Just got my hands on the 12-inch version of Norman Connor's Captain Connors at the weekend. That record has a killer funky bass hook - especially during the bass guitar-led break! A bass line to die for!! :lol:

Very similar, in a way, to Pleasure's Glide. Another absolute killer bass break!

On the disco front, I would go for Chic and Everybody Dance. I love it because the bass is so fast and intricate - brilliant to dance to.

**Juicy J** · February 6th, 2003, 09:32 AM

Bass lines are sooooooo sexy , dont you find? well they do it for me!
Chic, kings of the bassline. they knew how to get your feet moving ! and would you believe, Kiss 'I was made for loving you' thats off the top of my head , but I will be back with more. I love it. :D

Juicy J xxx

**SandraDee** · February 6th, 2003, 03:07 PM

I absolutely love the bassline on Teena Marie's 'I Need Your Lovin'; its subtle but oh so effective. Also i love the bassline of Sister Sledge's 'All American Girls'; the sampling of this is easily the best bit of Tom Jones's 'Sexbomb' hit.

**totoman** · February 7th, 2003, 12:58 PM

whilst it is only there for a while, i love the bassline in the instrumental second part of Last Dance before Donna comes back in

toto

**midas** · February 7th, 2003, 05:07 PM

before we go further lets not forget
the Gap Band.....
find it in your collection and put on
" u dropped a bomb on me"
"early in the morning"
"burn rubber on me"

lets talk after youve listened to these songs...

+d-train

**QUINNY** · February 7th, 2003, 06:36 PM

Midas: I think what's more remarkable in some of the Gap Band toons is the drumming. It's pure rock in 'You Dropped A Bomb On Me' (as the best example) and some others. Yeah, the bass is pretty wicked.

**K-Bee** · February 8th, 2003, 06:18 AM

Talkin' 'bout basslines... I just listened to "Stay" by The Controllers. (MCA, 1986) - That track has one of the most groovin' basslines I'd ever come across. A bit like "intimate connection" by Kleeer.
I have had the controllers track for 15 years now - wonder why I never noticed that bassline before :-? Well I guess that's one of the problems with having so many damn LP's..
You loose track all the time & simply forget things :cry:

**midas** · February 8th, 2003, 10:39 AM

as i am getting ready for a ball,
im gettin´ in the right moode by listenig to disco.

some basslines worth checkin out:
ill be good- rene angela
is this the future-fatback band
stomp-br johnson
hit and run-bar kays
look of love-abc <----------beautyful!!!
im in love -evelyn king

and sos band

**SandraDee** · February 9th, 2003, 12:33 PM

Personally, I think the Gap band only did one decent track & that's 'Baby Baba Boogie' in '79. Most of their stuff leaves me cold & I can't understand why they're held in such high regard. I always saw their post-'79 stuff as tenth rate George Clinton.

**Giovanni** · February 9th, 2003, 04:17 PM

Originally Written by Steely Dan

Personally, I think the Gap band only did one decent track & that's 'Baby Baba Boogie' in '79. Most of their stuff leaves me cold & I can't understand why they're held in such high regard. I always saw their post-'79 stuff as tenth rate George Clinton.

It depends on the perspective you are watching. "Baby Baba Boogie" is surely their most disco record, but if you are into funk their pre-79 works are well worth a listen. And even their later works have some funk remnants.
One of my faves is "Shake", the flip of "Baby Baba Boogie"

**markydefad** · February 9th, 2003, 04:23 PM

Steely,

I'm surprised you don't fancy The Gap Band. They're among my FAVE Funksters. "Early In The Morning", "Party Train", "You Dropped A Bomb On Me", "I Found My Baby" and "Outstanding" are my personal faves. Oh, I long for the days of good old funky soul!!!!!

**SandraDee** · February 9th, 2003, 05:03 PM

I dont know why I don't care for the Gap Band Marky 'cos as u know, I love funky disco as much as any other disco but for some reason I just find their records irritating. Music's strange isn't it, sometimes u just can't explain why u like or dislike something. There's no logic to it at times.

**Nano** · February 9th, 2003, 08:44 PM

BTW, Giovanni, Gap Band's "Shake" has a GREAT bass line!!! One of the best in my opinion.
Of course any Chic track can make the list, my favorite in bass terms is "Le freak" and also the last minute and a half of "My forbidden lover".
And I think "Zulu" has to be on the list too! (yes Quinny, we agree on something :o )

Other tracks that come to mind:
-RAYDIO - "For those who like to groove" and "Still in the groove"
-TEENA MARIE - "Square biz"
-BBQ BAND - "On the beat"
-EMPRESS - "Dyin' to be dancin'" (sorry I always name it but it has great bass, guitar solo, then the voice... just perfect)
-KOOL & THE GANG - "Take my heart"
-PARLIAMENT - "Rumpofstiltskin"
-BOOTSY'S RUBBER BAND - "The Pinocchio theory"
-EARTH, WIND & FIRE - "Runnin'"

and many more for sure.

**K-Bee** · February 10th, 2003, 03:36 AM

Talkin' about The Gap Band (BTW my favorite's "Bumpin' Gum People).
Has anyone noticed the vocal similarity between lead singer Charlie Wilson and Aaron Hall (who was in Teddy Riley's "Guy" group) - it's almost as if they're the same person

**Com King** · February 10th, 2003, 06:55 AM

So it seems like the subject turned into a "What's your favorite Gap Band track?" ....

definitely " Oops upside your head" for me ... i just love this song

**Masdefi** · February 11th, 2003, 11:17 AM

Two in my mind:
"Dyin' to be dancin'" Empress
"Catch the beat" T-ski Valley

Just let me think a little more.... :)

**Masdefi** · February 11th, 2003, 11:23 AM

Originally Written by Com King

So it seems like the subject turned into a "What's your favorite Gap Band track?" ....

definitely " Oops upside your head" for me ... i just love this song

Hey Com king,
I visit very often Paris and I think I have visited all the vinyl records shop! But maybe you know more than me... can you inform about?
Thanks
Masdefi

**DJ-Pir** · February 11th, 2003, 04:11 PM

Some not to obviously records with a nice bassline (i hope)

Barbara Roy & E.P.P - If you want me
NV - It's allright
One way - Music
Cameo - She's strange
Gwen Guthrie - Seventh heaven (from Padlock)
Reddings - The awakening (b-side of Remote control) great funky slappin' bass there !
Gino Soccio - Turn it around
Advance - Take me to the top
Alec Mansion - Trop triste (French, very similar to Advance, guess this was a local breakout here)
And of course Chic - Almost entire repertoire :lol: