Columns

Paul Thompson breaks down Fatback’s “King Tim III (Personality Jock)” and the Work of Johnny “Flip” Flippen in this episode of “From the Bottom.”

In this episode, I’m breaking one of the greatest funk/dance tracks in history: “Stomp!” (1980) by the Brothers Johnson (produced by Quincy Jones) and the incredible bass playing by the late, great Louis Johnson (and his iconic bass solo!)

In this episode, Paul Thompson digs into the amazing grooves from one of the greatest genre-defying bands of the 70’s: WAR. From the iconic “Low Rider” to “Cisco Kid” to “Slippin’ Into Darkness,” which song contains their GREATEST bass line?

Paul Thompson kept the fretless out for this new “From The Bottom” episode. He digs into Pino Palladino’s classic bass line on “I’m Gonna Tear This Playhouse Down” (and the pedal that made it happen).

In this episode of “From The Bottom,” Paul Thompson celebrates the genius of the late, great bassist Percy Heath. He breaks down Heath’s iconic walking bass intro to Miles Davis’ “Blue Haze” (1954) and the six reasons he loves it.

In this episode of “From the Bottom”, Paul Thompson digs into one of the greatest (and underrated) fretless bass guitarists of the 80s and 90s: Mick Karn.

In this new episode of “From the Bottom,” Paul Thompson digs into one of the “Hall of Fame” bass grooves from the past 40 years: “Glide” by Pleasure (1979), and the man who wrote and played it: Nate Phillips.

Remember when Rush worked cartoon theme music into one of their recordings? In this “From the Bottom” episode, Paul Thompson digs into “La Villa Strangiato,” and shows us how Raymond Scott will always be linked to this epic prog rock instrumental.

In this episode of “From the Bottom,” Paul Thompson digs into one of the most unique holiday songs ever recorded, “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses.

In this episode of “From the Bottom,” Paul Thompson dives into the magical world of triads – our musical building blocks. Be sure to grab the included exercises and follow along.

This episode of “From the Bottom” is part history lesson, part analysis, part tribute. Paul Thompson digs into one of the great unsung bassists of Soul, Disco, and Popular music: Ronnie Baker. Check out Paul’s top 10 bass lines by Baker.

In this episode of “From The Bottom,” Paul Thompson breaks down one of Disco’s last hits from 1980: “I Shoulda Loved Ya” by Narada Michael Walden, and the excellent bass work of T.M. Stevens.