2020 Reader Favorite Bassists – #7: MonoNeon

MonoNeon

Editor’s Note: At the end of each year, we tally up all the article and video views on No Treble to come up with a list of the top 10 most popular bassists. This is entirely based on readership, not on opinions, polls, or anything else. Just having some fun.

We first met MonoNeon at the 2010 Winter NAMM Show. We didn’t know a lot about him or his music at the time, but once that changed, we were fans for life.

MonoNeon had a busy year in 2020, with some new albums and some fantastic videos along the way. His work with Ghost-Note was a highlight in a trying year.

Jackie Clark, MonoNeon, and Eric Gales: Let’s Work (Prince Tribute)

Jackie Clark, MonoNeon, and Eric Gales: Let’s Work (Prince Tribute)

This video features two bassists: Jackie Clark and MonoNeon. However, the other person in the video is the one playing bass. And that person is the guitar legend Eric Gales! Check out their epic tribute to Prince.
MonoNeon & Madlib: Fallin

MonoNeon & Madlib: Fallin

While I’ve been lately focused on his work with Ghost-Note, any time MonoNeon drops a new video, I’m watching. In this clip, he takes Madlib’s “Fallin” track and adds some seriously funky bass to it.
MonoNeon with Ghost-Note: Phat Bacc

MonoNeon with Ghost-Note: Phat Bacc

I’m always excited to see a video from Ghost-Note hit. About a week ago, MonoNeon shared this one of the band performing “Phat Bacc” during a Sugarshack Session. So funky!
Ghost-Note with MonoNeon: Inner Turmoil

Ghost-Note with MonoNeon: Inner Turmoil

I really dig the Zildjian LIVE! series. I also really dig Ghost-Note. In this clip, drummer Sarah Thawer takes the spotlight on the tune, “Inner Turmoil,” and MonoNeon once again lays it down with some impressive lines. This one has it all!
Marcus Gilmore and Ghost-Note: Southern Spirits

Marcus Gilmore and Ghost-Note: Southern Spirits

Here’s a recent video from Zildjian LIVE! series’ second season, which features drummer Marcus Gilmore performing with Ghost-Note. “Southern Spirits” is a tune written by Robert Sput Searight and features the always awesome MonoNeon on bass.
Omar Hakim and Ghost-Note: Convergence

Omar Hakim and Ghost-Note: Convergence

Zildjian Live! shared this video last summer, and while it is mostly focused on drummer Omar Hakim, it also includes an incredible collaboration with Ghost-Note. The band, anchored by the bass work of MonoNeon, performs Hakim’s “Convergence.”
MonoNeon Featured on Posthumous Mac Miller Album, “Circles”

MonoNeon Featured on Posthumous Mac Miller Album, “Circles”

Mac Miller tragically passed away in 2018, but we’re now getting to hear what he was working on before his death. “Circles” is the first posthumous release of Miller’s work. Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas, Jr. played on one track and shares the story.
MonoNeon: We Somebody Y’all

MonoNeon: We Somebody Y’all

MonoNeon has been impressing us for years on the bass. Now he’s doing it again with vocals – and bass. Here’s a new track by MonoNeon and Davy Nathan. MonoNeon he not only handles the bass and vocals, but also guitar, keyboards, and percussion.
MonoNeon Releases “Toxic Wasteland 2 The Hills”

MonoNeon Releases “Toxic Wasteland 2 The Hills”

MonoNeon kicked the new year off right by releasing a fresh album called “Toxic Wasteland 2 The Hills.” The eight-song collection continues the bassist’s unreal sense of groove and melody. It also has a loose theme of self-care.
Zildjian LIVE!: Dennis Chambers and Ghost-Note

Zildjian LIVE!: Dennis Chambers and Ghost-Note

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Zildjian LIVE! video series, but this is the one I was hoping would happen. In this clip, the legendary Dennis Chambers joins Ghost-Note (with MonoNeon on bass). This one is so great. Even the false start is great!
MonoNeon Featured on New Nas Album, “King’s Disease”

MonoNeon Featured on New Nas Album, “King’s Disease”

Rap icon Nas has returned with his thirteenth studio album, with guest appearances by The Firm, Don Toliver, Big Sean, A$AP Ferg, Lil Durk, and more. It also features bass phenom MonoNeon alongside Anderson .Paak on the track “All Bad.”

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