Roots Archives Forum

As a bass player my favorite is Aston Barret. Unforgetable basslines with a unique feel, that often does not just repeat the same couple of riffs.

Robbie Shakespeare is also great for different reasons. Simple lines that you can listen to over and over again.

I agree with your feelings about those bassists but I'd like to underline that Robbie is not only a simple/efficient bassline doer. He has also created some of the greatests lines in reggae, with a lot of subtilities and variations, just check out his feeling on the first I Jah Man's albums or of course the fantastic Concrete Jungle bass line..
And the contrary is also true for familyman : a lot of amazing basic and simple lines like Crazy Baldhead
I'm also a big fan of bagga walker. I'd advice you to listen to his skills on the Experience album from Prince Lincoln and the Rasses : such a groovy and rootsy feeling;;

Blessings

Benjamin

This is a very interesting subject if you just talk about reggae then its FAMILY MAN for his track record with the WAILERS and THE UPESTTERS. But ROBBIE SHAKESPEAR is more of a complete bass player who can play anything from roots gospel R&B you name it he has work with guys like BLACK UHURU live on stage remember the band WORD SOUND AND POWER who work with PETER TOSH for years ROBBIE was the BASS player.Lisen to the track CONCREAT JUNGLE from the album here you got ROBBIE on bass then lisen to the same track on album BABYLON BY BUS here you got FAMILY MAN on BASS, then choose your self. Some more players FLABBA HOLT(ROOTS RADICS)BAGGA WALKER (AT STUDIO ONE) FENTON FERON (THE GLADIATORS)

hello! I`m from argentina and I need texts or any infomation for the history of electric bass in the reggae music.

Tanks!

Robbie Shakespeare the best! no doubt...

all a dem are great but special request for flabba holt between 80 & 83 and lloyd parks because he is also a very good singer " officially "

For me, there is no favourite, or best.

The great reggae bassists all have a different style.

But they all are great.

My point of vue is: the best bass player is val douglas, U can listen him in the album of pablo moses: pave the way (+ dub)and more, it's groove ! yeah !

-play bass guitar!-

rastapapouille

Big Up Jah Gumby !

Father Psalms Family !

leroy sibbles, perhaps because he actualy wrote a lot of the classic basslines ,that other still play....Full up for example.