State of Place

When it comes to work and travel, the groove sets up the payoff.

Consider Funk. A bass lick is all the more nasty when the bass has been hanging in the pocket, keeping a low profile. When after seven or maybe 15 bars of solid groove, it pops.

Drops all constraints, steps forward, goes deeper, and realizes its core identity of BASS. In doing so, it opens up a new horizon, or tweaks the accepted perspective, or builds on someone else’s idea. These recurring low-end contributions deliver to The Listener what can only be called inspiration.

Yeah, the groove sets up the payoff.

Bassists don’t only play licks, drummers don’t only play fills. Most of the time, they just groove. The groove has to fit, of course. Sometimes it might be a little cheesy, but that’s OK. It’ll step into something new and overwhelming (if only briefly) soon enough.

Taking the bass lick example to the level of the ensemble, the track below demonstrates what I’m talking about. Enjoy.

Latin Like by Maceo Parker from Dial Maceo (2000)

Photo of the baaaad Rodney ‘Skeet’ Curtis by BedwyrPhoto.com via Flickr

Like it? The newest and best live Maceo is Roots & Grooves. Yes, that’s an affiliate link, and no, you will not be disappointed. Feat. Skeet Curtis (bass) and Dennis Chambers (drums) embodying the work/travel interplay. Recorded in Cologne, Germany with the local WDR Big Band. Highly explosive.

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