Two Bass Tracks, One Groove: The Secret Behind This 1975 Funk Classic

I love finding those grooves that don’t just make you move, they teach you something, too. Today, I’m digging into a hidden gem from 1975: “How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side)” by the Pointer Sisters. This track comes from their third album, Steppin’, and it’s packed with some serious magic, anchored by not one, but two bass tracks.

The groove features two funk legends, Wah-Wah Watson on guitar and Gaylord Birch on drums, and introduces a bassist you might not know yet: Gene Santini. He’s played with everyone from Boz Scaggs to Steely Dan, and this track shows exactly why he was in such high demand.

Let’s break it down.

At the heart of “How Long” are two overlapping bass parts, both sitting on a single chord and creating a groove that feels effortless and deep. The first bass line establishes the foundation, tipping its hat to Chuck Rainey’s legendary feel. Then a second bass part enters (played with a pick) bringing a sound closer to Anthony Jackson’s style. Every note is intentional. You can hear the double stops, the slides, the accents, and they all find their place without crowding each other.

Bass is a difficult instrument to double-track, but here, it works beautifully. The two lines stay out of each other’s way, focusing on different chord tones and producing distinct sounds that complement each other without stepping on the groove.

“How Long” was the first single off Steppin’, climbing to number 20 on the Hot 100 and holding the number 1 spot on the Hot Soul Singles chart for two weeks. The song was co-written by the Pointer Sisters and producer David Rubinson, who also managed Herbie Hancock during the 1970s. That connection shows up all over this record. Members of Hancock’s band make appearances throughout the album, and you can hear their fingerprints on the sound.

Wah-Wah Watson brings some serious color and vibe to this track, painting around the bass with those signature guitar textures. And the late, great Gaylord Birch – the same drummer from Graham Central Station – holds it all down with a pocket that just feels unstoppable.

Then there’s Gene Santini. You might not know his name, but you should. He played both electric and upright bass with the Pointer Sisters, recorded with Bette Midler and Janis Ian, and even showed up on the soundtrack for the 1980 movie Fame. Earlier in the ‘70s, he toured with Boz Scaggs and Steely Dan, and his versatility shines through on Steppin’. This album pulls from Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, Duke Ellington, and Burt Bacharach, and Santini doesn’t miss a beat.

His playing is inspired and captures a moment in time when bass players had to be comfortable across styles, blending precision with feel. It’s a reminder of an era when versatility wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was essential.

So go dust off those high-heeled sneakers and give this one a spin. It’s a groove you don’t want to miss.