A Tribute to Leon Sylvers III, LA Boogie's Finest Bassist (The Whispers, Shalamar, Carrie Lucas)

In the pantheon of bassists who seemingly never get their due despite their massive, incalculable contributions to music, Leon Sylvers III probably ranks near the top. The man is responsible for creating some of the most beautiful songs in the funk/post-disco/boogie realm and we’re arguably still trying to catch up. It’s the biggest crime to me that more people do not know his name, so i’ll try to help that cause along in my own small way.
Leon Sylvers III is, without hyperbole, my favorite bassist. Full. Stop. Sorry James Jamerson, Tomohito Aoki, and Koki Itoh, this guy takes the cake for me. His blue Rickenbacker bass is the one I grew up hearing as a youngster in LA, which makes sense - he was the house producer for Sound of Los Angeles Records, or SOLAR Records. The Whispers, Shalamar, Lakeside, Midnight Star, all these groups had hits penned by Leon Sylvers, all featuring airtight, impossibly clean arrangement and orchestration, and some of the most perfect dance basslines anybody’s ever put on record. The stuff is timeless, and a huge part of my identity as a musician.
So here’s small primer of Leon Sylvers’ work at SOLAR and some of my personal favorites. Inside we can hear the best of early 80’s boogie music, which, along with its derivative genre of Citypop, forms the basis for house music, vaporwave, future funk, and countless other genres of music.
Special shoutout to AJ Dungo for the “No Justice, No Peace” shirt! It's #blacklivesmatter all day every day, even when it’s not trending anymore.
#citypop #bassistsofinstagram #bassist #bassguitar #basscover #citypopbass #vaporwave #futurefunk #basstheworld #boogiemusic #postdisco #cratedigging #leonsylversiii #funkbass #jazzbass #fenderjazzbass #musichistory #solarrecords #thewhispers #shalamar #carrielucas

[@rickb1266]

Nothing like the voice of Howard Hewitt & Leon Sylvers bass playing together!

[@hodaridaniels8786]

He is also one of my bass idols, to me Leon Sylvers is underrated, he was super talented producer, songwriter and musician altogether.

[@bassistdc]

Leon's not underrated. He is highly respected in the music industry.

[@davidlungu446]

He was/is hodari.i think to a large extent due to the fact that he never was a "limelight "person.prefered session work.you get people that get fulfillment more from something" being-done-well" than something " being-done-well-by-them"big difference

[@oholm09]

Hes a music genius

[@aaronlaloyer7051]

Too tough ! Leon Sylvers is a true gem and such an underrated producer.

[@cassiusshepherd105]

Brilliant tribute to a little know genius. He's not among the well known bass players but he's my Bass King! 💥

[@trevorblair5552]

The man is a Don! Wicked bass lines on flats!!? Sweeter as the days go by is my favourite. 👍🏾💯🙏🏿

[@funkrocker8011]

Leon Sylvers....... what a wealth of talent.

[@ebertmahon8939]

And I love the fact he used a Rickenbacker bass for these great lines he created and recorded.

[@stillbill6408]

I agree. The Rick delivered a sharper edge on the front of each note and better defined the passage /phrase/run to a sharper degree than the typical Fender (J or P). It is more articulate and Mr. Sylvers more complex playing style was much better complimented with the Ricks more precise (no pun intended Fender) timbre while delivering a thick enough low and midrange punch desired in a R&B, Funk, Motown and Boogie genres. I much prefer the Rickenbacker's more precise timbre over the Fender (or Music Man's) less articulate sound. It is no wonder Mr. Sylvers chose such an elegant instrument.

[@griiseknoen]

@@stillbill6408 A lot of that clear and *focused* tone of his is also because of the flat wound strings he used. More fundamental and less overtones.

[@CoHeirMultimedia]

NASTY!!!!!!!!.....I really like him, Bernard Edwards and Louis Johnson!

[@lorenharris2965]

Those were influences too! All dope!

[@AR-ii3ly]

Thanks for this. Leon Sylvers III is an absolute genius. One of the all-time great producers and absolute beast on the bass.

[@Below-Average_Joe]

That was a great tribute. Dude, you really do Leon Sylvers III justice with your playing.

[@adamflax2012]

Love seeing the legend LSIII get the recognition he deserves. The bass MACK 🙌

[@unkolee]

The best grooves came from Leon SylversIII! Brings me back to my youth.

[@hodaridaniels8786]

Nice great bass playing, Leon Sylvers is a genius and he had intricate basslines. It was all over the fretboard, not just one place.

[@ronaldcook3840]

Leon Sylvers had an had an unorthodox way of playing the bass guitar. But the end results was just magic.

[@davidlungu446]

Leon silver's was the gold standard of bass.he pushed the barriers to a level where very few have reached to this day.he put to the bass everything he heard in his head.didnt allow anything to be lost and denied.the greatest bass player of aĺ times.hands down. From lusaka zambia with love

[@thecitypopbassist]

He really is! Much love from California to Zambia!

[@adonai71100]

Yeahhhhh fam you did ya thing heyyyyyyy🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@lb1798]

My ear ALWAYS goes to the Bass guitar when I listen to music especially live (in concert)...this tribute is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@antonigeli294]

Nile Rodger & Leon Sylvers III should have worked together for the Chic Solar Label... Masters of the game late70's early 80's. Major difference between both periods, the violins introduced by Barry White were thrown away ...

[@flowmaka]

Bro just to know that you’re paying homage to the best modern producer in a most excellent way speaks volumes! Man you are slaying those technical lines. Great job!!!!

[@calwyndecoster6689]

A beautifally "BAD" bassist. OMG!!!! Everytime I hear one of Leon's bass lines, it makes me feel so so good! Shalamar, Dynasty, The Whispers, OMG!!! Surely, Leon Sylvers III has to be "Hall of Fame" as one of the greatest bassists ever! Hearing his bass lines brings back to me so many good memories from the past..... Thank you so much Leon and thank you for this excellent Tribute!

[@maleneminorjohnson7716]

I've always loved these songs, but watching you play those bass lines, I heard them differently and more completely this time. Especially Make That Move, that bass is nasty good!! Leon Sylvers III was/is a musical genius. Thank you for offering us a fresh listen!

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

Thanks for video. I asked Leon what strings he used he said fender flatwounds with some foam.

[@ChromaticHarp]

FINALLY! I’ve been telling people about Leon de years! Thanks for making this fine video!

[@jordanscott4066]

Great playing! Everything you mentioned about Leon Sylvers is on point. Hes also my joint favourite bassist along with Wayne Braithwaite. I spent a long time thinking about how he wrote those amazing basslines. I think the key is he writes 16th note basslines cleverly disguised with an 8th note feel by using space and syncopation. If you play his lines along with a drum track that has 16th high hats you can start digging into his grooves.

[@adrianlyord5300]

Wayne played on Billy Oceans' hit Love Zone! That Bass Line is killing it!!!!

[@clemmiebell6799]

Yup ! Minneapolis had jam and terry but Leon was for sure the Sound Of Los Angeles Records

[@thecitypopbassist]

SOLAR forever!!

[@sammorykwas]

And here I am again, at 2AM

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

The Soul of Solar Records!

[@cdiaz55]

When I found out he did it all on a Rickenbacker with Flats..Mind-blowing

[@hodaridaniels8786]

Today took that Carrie Lucas bassline for Girl I Got My Eyes On You a new Jack swing classic.

[@biffstudd]

Yup Yup! Teddy Riley jacked that shit!..lol

[@faktablad]

Thanks for including Make That Move, maybe my favorite bass line of all time

[@hillerm]

You're a sick bass player. You inspired me to get my bass out to play along with you.

[@peterg.bassist]

Awesome! Those are some Bad-@ss Basslines and they perfectly set the groove! And you have done a brilliant job of showcasing Leon Sylvers III great funky basslines.

[@kenyonr]

Leon Sylvers III the goat!

[@rogerleemeyzindi2979]

Just close to Jamerson the GOD of Bass!

[@renealexander2703]

I love Mr. Sylver.

[@fyvoin6964]

Just amazing bass player . Wow !

[@zararity]

Your groove is ridiculous, Leon would have been proud!

[@EJL88]

Before 94.7 became KTWV..... The Wave. Had to add the pause like they do on the radio. Great video too!

[@funkrocker8011]

Love this tribute!

[@angelagm566]

All the songs are excellent. However, the last song, his sound went above and beyond...blessings

[@rogerleemeyzindi2979]

As a Bass player my main inspiration stems from James Jamerson and Leon Sylvers

[@raymondwilson9038]

As the previous comment stated, Leon Sylvers is a seriously underrated bassist. Creator of so many iconic baselines.The bass line for Misdemeanour is pure genius.

[@rickstringer2241]

Is it true that altho LSIII authored that bassline, that he actually did NOT play it on the recording?

[@Shalamarshalamar]

Leon "The Maestro" Sylvers

[@RobertoBusi62]

You are a really great bass player, many many greatings for show your skills. LS III is the best for me and i think for you too. Awesome tribute, outstanding. The best online, no doubt

[@prescriptionfunk93]

Bruuuuuhhhhh!!!!! U got hand$ maaaayne! That was super tight almost sounds just like to record and the perfect mix also. The bass guitars my first love when it comes to music equipment.

[@mudyinsquall]

Absolute 🔥

[@Starrchild65]

Yes sir

[@bassplayer9432]

I'm glad this popped up on my feed - your groove is really tight!! Subscribed 👍

[@dfreeman120]

Bad ass bass lines

[@zemagar]

hard to choose between The Whispers and Carrie Lucas.

[@osakashiba9792]

This video got me into Leon Sylver's work you are a godsend 😭

[@daolchang]

fucking right, I discovered The Whispers only a few years ago in youtube and went mad with the bassline of Imagination

[@cassiusshepherd105]

Yesss! Wicked bassline that!!

[@xhy20x]

Fantastic bass playing...my word!!

[@anglofrancaiseyvonne9349]

I forgot that first song from TheWhispers, thank you and well done!!!

[@jakereed1043]

Sick vid dude - skills & captions

[@kuryakin64]

Good job 👍

[@carletonbyrne8867]

heat on heat

[@farleytaylor5493]

You have to play Leon's finest, "Here I Am" by Dynasty with my friend William Shelby (Dayton) on keyboards, and vocals.

[@oholm09]

William shelby passed away

[@adrianlyord5300]

Today the singing group got their song " Girl I Got My Eyes On You " from the Carrie Lucas song " Show Me Where You're Coming From "! Listen to both songs!

[@SoraSatoh]

Amazing playing as always!! :D

[@ObsidianLife]

Great video! Thank you! He is amazing!

[@RecoveringMusicAddict]

Legit playing! God damn! Bless up cuz

[@KlemensCathcartBass]

Great work man - superb playing and great idea for a vid

[@monicamcneil9904]

Nice 🧨🧨🧨🧨

[@paulaloud65]

An icon

[@Tadaia]

Those ghost notes... 🤯🤯🤯

[@nickm0lina]

Awesome video

[@richftbass]

Wow, this is some fantastic playing man, I really enjoyed listening to your tribute!

[@BigJBeats]

soooooooo good!!!

[@neildamato1]

Great playing bro!! Really dig it!!

[@theoriginalsafinette]

Great job!!!

[@kevmac1230]

The dude was a monster. Nice job playing his lines.

[@RickyMontijo]

Killed it bro!

[@bdodger548]

How did you learn to play these basslines? I’m really interested in the theory and technique behind how Leon Sylvers came up with his basslines. You are such a wonderful player.

[@thecitypopbassist]

I learned them by ear! I grew up listening to them as well, so I had already done my mental homework heh

[@marvindhaby4893]

C'est un bassiste de ouf !!

[@seand67]

AWESOME tribute

[@ChromaticHarp]

The Carrie song chorus melody is ‘Girl i Got my eye on You’ who did it first ?

[@frankie7826]

Nice 👍 subscribed

[@jayefenelon1930]

Thank you very very enjoyable - but your video was too short could have listened for hours longer - great playing - Leon Sylvers III is definitely underrated - absolutely out of this world songwriting and bass playing

[@averymickens5672]

Playing is straight fuego. This is random and I doubt I’ll get a reply but, what brand tshirt is that? Looks comfy lol

[@thecitypopbassist]

NextLevel Apparel medium white T I think?? My friend AJ Dungo made it! instagram.com/agedungs/?hl=en

[@oholm09]

See that's what I'm talking about I'm gonna bring a real type of music see I'm a musician composer those cats in the music industry ain't doing crap about their artists work

[@nachoquilez1804]

this one's amazing bro. Also, how did you get that roughly and low sound? I can't find how to sound like a 70s bass.. btw i have a cort b4 plus bass, i don't know if it's because of the strings, the way i play, the equ... please someone can help me :(

[@Pdrum]

Nice! Great played! What are the pickups and strings your using on your Squier bass?

[@samuelsujan348]

Could you please tell how to get the tone? It really helps!!!

[@Tadaia]

I would love to know if and what bass course you took on technique and practice drills. The efficiency of your fretwork is something I desperately need.

[@thecitypopbassist]

hi! so sorry for the late response!! I didn’t take many courses aside from a few lessons in college and growing up in public school music programs, but I can tell you that learning good hand positioning is key! if you check out Jaco Pastorius’s “Modern Electric Bass” video, he demonstrates it pretty well.

[@Tadaia]

@@thecitypopbassistI'll do that thanks!

[@conservativepatrick]

I think I've heard this song somewhere in vaporwave.

[@bdodger548]

What kind of bass guitar is that?

[@farleytaylor5493]

Work it Citypop.

[@Mr-Keyes]

Great Tribute to an unsung hero , Is it true that Leon is self taught ?

[@thecitypopbassist]

yes, it is true!

[@Mr-Keyes]

@thecitypopbassist I can understand being self-taught on piano because you can press the notes easily, but the bass seems more complicated because all of the different notes on fretboard.

[@prescriptionfunk93]

Th@t's how u do d@t derrrr!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯🌹🍷🍾 "music doctor" PRESCRIPTION PHUNK Phx Az 2022

[@thecitypopbassist]

big love to PHX!!!

[@mattfoley6082]

What is LA Boogie?

[@dredrob]

Can you please make some videos on how deodorant people had to put on during the Leon Sylvers III ERA. These bass lines were so funky.

[@thecitypopbassist]

I gotta pull the stats on that one but I know deodorant sales were through the roof in the 70’s 📈

[@cjwallace4559]

Pray Leon Sylvers receives his honors in Jesus Name....

[@rudyabiakl5900]

Saint pepsi - Better

[@vinnymackay6589]

Karaoke player wet behind the ears.