Latest articles by Chris Jisi
How Bakithi Kumalo’s swung, fretless bassline helped create one of Graceland’s defining sounds
Like much of Paul Simon’s Graceland, the 1985 session for The Boy In The Bubble took place at Ovation Studios in downtown Johannesburg
Did Willie Weeks miss a note on this Donny Hathaway classic?
Willie Weeks is best known for his storied bass solo on Hathaway’s 1972 Live album, but the disc also features what may be his baddest bassline
How a young Bootsy Collins took the James Brown bass chair to its busiest level on this Bootsy-fied recut from 1970’s Sex Machine
The first version of the song was recorded in October 1968 with Charles ‘Sweets’ Sherrell on bass
Mike Rutherford’s “lead” bass approach helped demystify the low-end for prog rock cornerstone Genesis
The departure of guitarists Anthony Phillips and Steve Hackett cleared the way for Rutherford's angular bassline on this Genesis classic
Trevor Bolder speaks out on his storied history with David Bowie
How could anyone who played bass on Ziggy Stardust not be a rock legend?
An inside look at James Jamerson’s 10 seminal “B-Sides”
Anthony Jackson and James Jamerson Jr reveal the hidden secrets of Motown’s multi-track recordings
Jerry Barnes and Nile Rodgers give an insiders’ view of this seven-minute bass anthem by Chic
Performing alongside guitarist Nile Rodgers, Jerry Barnes has bestowed his deep-pocketed basslines upon Chic since the untimely death of Bernard Edwards in 1996
Did Nate Watts play on the most under-appreciated bass anthem ever?
The story behind the incredible 10-minute bassline on Stevie Wonder’s 1981 hit Do I Do
John Wetton has been the bass force behind a peak-period King Crimson lineup and two prog rock supergroups
A veteran of one of King Crimson’s classic lineups, John Wetton’s amazing career took him through a host of British prog bands
Darryl Jones on his journey to The Rolling Stones – from Miles Davis to Sting, Herbie Hancock to Peter Gabriel, and Madonna
The Rolling Stones bassist is a force of nature, with a stage and session career second to none
How Ryan Martinie redefined metal bass playing for a new generation with Mudvayne
Ryan Martinie stepped out as a 21st-century bass hero on Mudvayne’s The End of All Things to Come
How Willie Weeks' unbelievable solo on Donny Hathaway's 1972 Live album made him a bass legend
After being introduced as “the baddest bass player in the country,” Willie Weeks kicked off his now iconic solo
Fishbone’s Norwood Fisher names his 10 best basslines
The most iconic bass riffs in Fishbone’s catalog, according to Norwood Fisher himself
Esperanza Spalding on jamming with Prince, and the stunning upset of Justin Bieber
A support slot with Prince set the stage for Esperanza Spalding’s 2011 Grammy win and a whole new level of recognition
Raphael Saadiq on playing with Prince, D'Angelo and the “dead” 1962 Fender that put the vintage in Instant Vintage
The Tony! Toni! Toné! trailblazer created a whole new rhythm section style on his 2002 solo debut
Chris Wood unpacks his playing – both schooled and unschooled – with Medeski, Martin & Wood
Leaning on a vintage Fender and an old Ampeg, Chris Wood indulged his tone addictions on Medeski, Martin & Wood's Uninvisible
How Jack Bruce put a fresh spin on Cream hits Sunshine of Your Love and White Room
Some people believe rock ’n’ roll should never leave the cozy three-chord confines of the garage – and then there’s Jack Bruce
Listen to Leon Wilkeson’s bassline on Lynyrd Skynrd’s What’s Your Name
Lynyrd Skynyrd icon Ed King pays tribute to bassist Leon Wilkeson
Fusion bass great Jimmy Haslip breaks down his 2001 project with Robben Ford and Vinnie Colaiuta
Jimmy Haslip is a lefty who plays a left-handed 6-string bass with the strings reversed
“Well, the secret’s out. I’ve come clean”: Still copping Victor Wooten’s 20-year-old bass licks? You’d better take another look
Victor Wooten reveals the musical formula behind his 2005 solo album, Soul Circus
How Carol Kaye set the tone for Quincy Jones’ Hikky-Burr, the theme for The Bill Cosby Show
A veteran of over 10,000 record dates, Carol Kaye improvised her entire bassline on this 1971 Quincy Jones single
How Bob Babbitt laid down an epic first-take solo on this under-appreciated Motown classic
Every bassist needs to familiarize themselves with Bob Babbitt’s knockout solo
Longtime David Letterman bassist Will Lee recalls his toughest recording date in NYC
The session took place in January 1975 at Secret Sound Studios on West 24th Street
Meet the unsung bass hero who laid down one of the noughties’ most irresistible basslines with Beyoncé
Jon Jon Webb laid down his standout grooves with a late-‘90s Fender Marcus Miller Signature Jazz Bass
In 2005, Jack Bruce reunited with Cream after 36 years – and realized how much his bass playing had changed
When faced once again with the bass role in the ultimate power trio alongside Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce hired a rehearsal room in London and brought in “every bass amp in existence”
