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Columns: How Tos, Advice & Lessons for Bass Players

I Shoulda Loved Ya: Breaking Down Disco’s Last Great Bass Line
From the Bottom

I Shoulda Loved Ya: Breaking Down Disco’s Last Great Bass Line

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.

From The Bottom: The Top 5 Fictional Characters That Play Bass
From the Bottom

From The Bottom: The Top 5 Fictional Characters That Play Bass

Paul Thompson is changing things up. In this episode of “From the Bottom”, he breaks down his top five characters from television and movies that play bass: From the Muppet Show to Peanuts to the Monkees to Spinal Tap.

From The Bottom: Digging Into the Bass Line on “Groove Is In the Heart”
From the Bottom

From The Bottom: Digging Into the Bass Line on “Groove Is In the Heart”

In this episode of “From The Bottom,” Paul Thompson digs into the 1990’s #1 Billboard Dance hit “Groove Is In the Heart” by Deee-Lite (with Bootsy Collins and Q-Tip) and one of the most recognizable bass lines from the last 35 years.

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Marta (Smile): Is This Brazil’s Funkiest Bass Line?
From the Bottom

Marta (Smile): Is This Brazil’s Funkiest Bass Line?

Paul Thompson just discovered the great Brazilian singer/musician/producer Ed Motta, and his library of incredible bass lines. In this episode of “From The Bottom,” Paul breaks down the bass line on “Marta” (aka “Smile”), performed by Robinho Tavares.

From The Bottom: The Lost Ark of Bass Solos: John Patitucci
From the Bottom

From The Bottom: The Lost Ark of Bass Solos: John Patitucci

Paul Thompson recently discovered a gem of a bass solo played by (then) 21-year-old John Patitucci in 1981. In this episode of “From The Bottom,” he breaks down that solo - and more.

Breaking Down The Most Famous Bass Break In Popular Music: Bakithi Kumalo’s Work on “You Can Call Me Al”
From the Bottom

Breaking Down The Most Famous Bass Break In Popular Music: Bakithi Kumalo’s Work on “You Can Call Me Al”

In this episode of “From The Bottom,” Paul Thompson digs into the 1987 Album of the Year, Paul Simon’s “Graceland,” the amazing Bakithi Kumalo, and the hit song that introduced the rest of the world to Mbaqanga music: “You Can Call Me Al.”

Elements of the Universe: Verdine White’s Bass Line That Started a Dynasty
From the Bottom

Elements of the Universe: Verdine White’s Bass Line That Started a Dynasty

In this episode of “From the Bottom,” Paul Thompson talks about Earth, Wind & Fire and their legendary bassist, Verdine White. Paul breaks down three favorite EWF bass lines.

David Hungate: TOTO’s Secret Weapon
From the Bottom

David Hungate: TOTO’s Secret Weapon

In this episode of “From the Bottom,” Paul Thompson dives into the work of the great (and unsung) David Hungate - TOTO’s first bassist. He breaks down his favorite TOTO groove, discusses the “Bump” Groove, and more.

Breaking Down “Summer Madness” by Kool & the Gang
From the Bottom

Breaking Down “Summer Madness” by Kool & the Gang

In this episode of “From The Bottom,” Paul Thompson breaks down Kool & the Gang’s iconic “Summer Madness” groove from 1974, including Robert “Kool” Bell’s “magic” bass note, and what exactly is going on during those solos!

From the Bottom: The Top 10 Greatest TV Theme Bass Lines
From the Bottom

From the Bottom: The Top 10 Greatest TV Theme Bass Lines

In this episode, Paul Thompson lays down his (extremely subjective) list of his top 10 favorite bass lines (plus three honorable mentions) from iconic television shows from the 1970s-2000s.

Breaking Down Ramsey Lewis’ “Summer Breeze” (and Cleveland Eaton’s Bass Work)
From the Bottom

Breaking Down Ramsey Lewis’ “Summer Breeze” (and Cleveland Eaton’s Bass Work)

You've seen the video. (It's one of the most viewed Jazz performance videos of the past few years.) Paul Thompson breaks down Ramsey Lewis’ “Summer Breeze” and Cleveland Eaton’s bass work.

Instant Funk and the Bass Line That Survived Disco
From the Bottom

Instant Funk and the Bass Line That Survived Disco

In this new “From the Bottom” episode, Paul Thompson dives into the work of Instant Funk. This one focuses on Raymond Earl’s work on Evelyn “Champagne” King’s “Shame.”