Is This the Greatest Slap Bass Line EVER?

[@stevencsmith7644]

Ahhhhh!!!! I said Glide just before you played the track! Brother, not only is Glide a super bad track, Future Now is a super bad album! One track after another. I still have my original vinyl my dad bought me when I was 14. Man, I’m so glad you covered this. Nathaniel Phillips is that dude! Pleasure is that band!!!

[@johncaldwell881]

There’s another track on that album that’s worth looking at. Nothing To It

[@chuckdawson1824]

me too ...i knew it...iconic bass line!!!!

[@stevencsmith7644]

@@johncaldwell881 Yes! “Nothing To It” is super tight! Bro, there’s not a bad track on that album. This is not an album where you skip tracks. Just let it play from start to finish. My favorite is “Space Is The Place.” Nathaniel is groovin’. And then there’s the guitar solo from Doug Lewis. Killer!

[@dwricha]

I also suggested that it would be Glide, Pleasure was That Band and the chemistry of those musicians can never been duplicated, loved the Future Now album and the title song, they killed it, and that guitar solo. RIP Bruce Carter@@stevencsmith7644

[@khaz606]

Killer album from my favourie Jazz Funk band.

[@evanpragliola4947]

Pleasure is one of the most underrated bands of all time. So many good albums.

[@TDProduction58]

Totally agree.

[@chrisclermont456]

The late great David Shields' baseline on Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real" is another monster track every legit bassist had to know and play well!! Then there is Francisco Centeno, Allen McGrier, Larry Kimpel, Walter Jones, and Aaron Mills of Cameo!! The list goes on and on! Those cats are still untouchable!!

[@Below-Average_Joe]

I saw Pleasure when this song was new. They were a bill with Slave and the Bar-Kay’s. Nathaniel Phillips was playing a Stingray and they must have played Glide for ten minutes and Phillips took an incredible solo. Future Now is possibly the best Funk album of all time. It is a shame it is not on iTunes. Pleasure never got as big many felt they should have been. They were all incredible musicians.

[@rambr0vids]

I'm jealous, but I did see Nate and Marlon McClain play with Jeff Lorber when Kenny Gorelick (G) was still in the Fusion

[@greggpowers5839]

And, I remember him putting the bass behind his head and soloing.

[@ObsidianLife]

80s funk is SO amazing! SOLAR was an incredible label! Thank you for focusing on this stuff!

[@hardcorehouse]

It was 70s, wasnt Solar

[@matthw633]

Solar with Leon Sylvers was outstanding! Check out the bass on his songs. Always tight !

[@ObsidianLife]

@@hardcorehouse ...you REALLY are going to draw the line at 1979... ...Ok. Thanks for your pointless comment.

[@M2Mil7er]

Les Claypool plays a bit of this line while being interviewed by Geddy Lee in the recent 'Are Bass Players Human Too?' while talking about slapping, or thumping as Les prefers to call it. A little slice of bass TV heaven. Kind of amazing that show exists in 2023/24.

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

I noticed it too, I watched it literally a week ago.

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

Glad you highlighted Nathaniel Phillips! That's my favorite Slap tone on a Jazz Bass. As long as I love Marcus, Nathaniel recorded the best as we often say "Marcus tone" 😉

[@stephanleo]

I'm "glide" you did this song!!! Being a guitar player, I have to say that Marlon McClain's parts are not for wannabes either! Thank you again Paul.

[@flipflopping]

This channel is absolutely GOLD. It has prompted me to get back into playing....thank you!

[@BuddhaBites]

Whoo! Pleasure was the TRUTH! I also love when "Joyous" makes an appearance on the radio. "Get off of that ego/into a higher place/check out my music/and dig my magic space".

[@organgrinder55]

The combination of Nate's bassline, Bruce's metronome timekeeping, Marlon's distorted guitar solo with those lush strings under him on the outro of "Joyous" is the most beautiful funky thing I have heard!

[@samuraiwarriorsunite]

Always nice to see Nathaniel Phillips get some love. He's an incredible bassist. The Album was recorded near my old stomping grounds at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California. Back then, everyone (including myself) was trying to get that iconic bassline down.

[@michaeljonessr5236]

Yessah love playing Bass when we're performing this song. But alot of y'all sleep on, "Future Now" and "Universal Love" . We always get a standing ovation when we perform those 2 song's as well. Not to mention the Bass lines are freaking incredible ya huuuurrdd me

[@royacedavis]

Classic. When I see people playing it now on KZbin I say “we were doing that in the 70’s”

[@steelydave]

I'm so glad Take a Chance (from 1980's Special Things) got a shout-out in this video - not just because it's a great song, but also because it's one of the only funk tracks I've ever heard that features a walking bassline. I presume @pdbass couldn't feature more of the track in this video for copyright reasons, so if you haven't heard it, please do yourself a favour and look it up. It's also worth mentioning that Nate Phillips (and the rest of the Pleasure musicians) were basically the in-house band for Wayne Henderson's At-Home Productions after he left the Crusaders, and they feature on a ton of great albums including Ronnie Laws Fever and Friends & Strangers, the first three Side Effect albums, Gabor Szabo's Faces, Allspice's self-titled debut album, Billy Cobham's B.C. and also his collaboration albums with Wayne Henderson along with Henderson's solo albums from the late '70s. Truly a great and underappreciated player.

[@zanohoriamazo1]

Not a bassist but Tracy Wormworth taught me that line back in the day, ‘79 - ‘80. Great to hear Nate’s inspiration for the line. Bassists Alex Blake & his brother Russel are also extremely adept at 2 (or more) note chords. There’s a praise song called Trading My Sorrows, that uses that approach as well. Soon as the congregation hears it, they know it’s time to get your dance on. Great post as usual!👍

[@grantmullings8245]

Tracy is great people. Knew her thru her sister.

[@4carhur1more]

The tail end of that chorus is the only thing that trips me up on that bass line. It's so good and I'll get it eventually. Definitely gotta slow it down so I can get it.

[@petertrotman7708]

Nicely nailed breakdown btw. Every time I come to this channel I say "Yes, finally some love and recognition" for whoever bass player you choose. Nobody is doing this, so thank U again. Nat for me is up there with the most inventive bass players around and deserves his shine. The link he had with Bruce was so deep. Bruce's death was such a sad loss but the music lives on. Take care PD.

[@garrycope8923]

My brother this analysis was spot on. Back in the day, that line separated the men from the boys (No offense ladies). It took me a minute 🙂(really a couple of weeks) to learn it.

[@spank2424]

All the bass players in my city jumped on this track when it came on the radio tricky but it was accomplishment if u learned it.

[@samsonwoods5448]

Yeah, bout time u give some much do credit to Nate!!!!!!!

[@karlantos3781]

I beat Glide into my head awhile ago but I missed Take a Chance. So so funky. PD you singlehandedly make me want to learn the Bass. I played drums for awhile but as I get older my ears kind of shifted to the bottom.

[@KeithCopeland778]

YESSIR!!!!!!! The AMAZING NATE PHILLIPS AND PLEASURE!!!!! Nate was only 17 when he came up with that bassline!!! Pleasure was one of the most skilled R&B bands in history!!!! Almost every member of Pleasure went on to play with Jeff Lorber! Guitarist Maron McClain is a wizard!!! Check out this song from Pleasure: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6HNZ4GniK1nbrc

[@cedricdolman1025]

All I can say is wow! As a 62 year old intermediate(-) player, I have to unlearn a bunch of bad habits just to even try to think about playing something close to that. Thanks for bringing us such great music masterpieces!

[@chrisclermont456]

I love your channel and analysis of this iconic bassline by the phenomenal Nathaniel Phillips!! Every bass player in my hometown of Detroit had to be able to play this ridiculously badass bass part to prove themselves!! It's right up there with anything by Louis Johnson, Marcus Miller, and Larry Graham!! Funk royalty!! ❤❤❤

[@moorsoulmusic]

👏👏Bravo, Bravo!!!!! finally someone showcased this funk master piece! Thank you Bro.... for this video👏

[@dwwhite318]

When preparing for a long drive, Glide is the jam that gets me started. Now all I need is a "Duce and a Quarter" to really lay back and cruise. Ask an old head about that...

[@ronaldfowler9456]

I was a trumpet player and that group had some bad ass horn parts. I wanted to switch to bass after hearing that album.

[@styner3]

It’s easy to learn it now with YT but back then I played nothing else for a week until I had it perfect. At age 61 it’s still my favorite bass line to play and the one I show off with 😂

[@stevencastillo5696]

YES! Every song on this album is great. Still listening, since the 80's

[@edennard1]

Bro that hold album is “ Stank…I also like the Joyus album also.. Nathaniel Phillips, Marlon McClain and one of the tightest drummers that ever was Mr. Bruce Carter ( RIP ) I remember the 1st time I heard this joint on the radio I was like who is this cat on Bass ….my goodness.. Future Now is also a stellar album also..

[@nathanharman5398]

What a song and what an album to go along with it, Pleasures whole catalogue is brilliant, Nathaniel Phillips is just next level!

[@Del3k]

Anytime you play FUNK you got me. Glide is a always in my funk playlist

[@LLNYRN]

I got hipped to Pleasure when I moved to Portland, Oregon during the early 90s (From NYC. Been back for over 20 years now). I was running into a slew of Music Peeps who knew their Frontman, Marlon McClain when I did Radio in that city. Never knew Portland "Funked" like that until hearing that band and Nu Shooz.

[@anthonyglaser929]

I learn so much from this channel. Thank you for posting another mind opener PD.

[@brandonharrison1685]

I have been waiting for this video for 2 years, at least. I thought maybe that you have discussed it a while before I found your page. I found this ,back in the day, bought the 45 and played it for hours. jumped for joy when I found out it was on cd. thanks so much for the break down. I never saw it performed by any bass player

[@fatchuky]

🔥 One of my all time favorite bass performances! And Nate is one of the most humble cats ever!

[@sebuteo]

What a pleasure to hear Pleasure getting some recognition! A brilliant band, whose entire discography is a beautiful treasure trove. Nate and Bruce Carter? What a funky foundation! ❤ PS - One of my personal favourites? Joyous. The title says it all!

[@UBZUKki]

Serious SERIOUS Bass Line.....Love it

[@krga94c]

This is one of the most iconic funk bass lines ever! This and Larry Graham's 'Hair' are hard to beat when it comes to funk bass lines. BTW, Larry sings lead while playing that bass line. Whew!!

[@ricardofranciszayas]

Man, You are a SUCH A GREAT player and teacher. I’m a semi-retired keyboard player who made his bones in the 1970s. This song brings me back to my youth. I got instantly happy when I saw this video. It encourages me to see gifted, knowledgeable young cats like yourself explain and demo these great bass lines with such clarity and great feel. And the way you present your content is first rate. I wish you great success.

[@juiceplanet147]

Love that whole album🏆

[@rboskey]

Love that you covered this, Paul!! Between this and “Joyous,” Nate Phillips is one of the reasons I wanted to start playing bass. Hope they bring that reunion show on the road!

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

@rboskey, throw in "Life on Mars" by Dexter Wansel, and you described me too!👍

[@ianchattam9368]

The breakdown in this track still blows me away

[@primeminister66]

This was my ISH in Jr. High!!!!

[@russellbaldry5095]

I came across your channel by accident but so glad i did. As a dj and record collector of 40 years all my fav tracks are bass driven. After your analysis ive started listen with a whole new mind set! Some of my top tracks are keni Burke-Risin to the top, Change- Mutual attraction and Don Blackman- Hearts desire! 🎶🎶🎶👊🏼

[@thamadscientist]

YES SIR!!! This is great Paul!!! Nate Phillips is an absolute BEAST!!! Can't forget him BLAZING on Law Of The Raw from the Special Things album!!!

[@MrWillyCC]

Ha! Great call out!! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿 I still play at least part of this bass line almost every single day!! Another amazing Pleasure bass line is Spread That Feelin’!!!

[@chuckdawson1824]

one of favorite bass to play...it was a monster to tackle.....

[@future62]

My 2 favorite Pleasure songs in one video. What a treat!

[@ajdsr56]

I learned it as soon as I heard it and I still practice it.

[@mortenbuschmann3981]

Fantastic band! Greetings from Denmark :-)

[@s3hooligan]

Yep, this and “Slide” by Slave

[@machinelearng]

I KNEW! you were going to say Glide! as I was watching! lol. One of my favorite songs and the one song you play if your you find someone whose soul is dead. Put this on and the victim SNAPS out of it. The head starts bobbin'. Its like smelling sauce lol. Awesome! 👍🏼😎

[@trevorlindsey580]

Nate has played so many outstanding lines over the years. So many great things with Bobby Lyle too. Nate and I used to teach at The Bass Centre back in the day, and at that time, I did not make the connection that he was the guy who played on so many of the albums I loved. I was teaching slap playing, and was a younger guy, and I remember Nate giving me a lot of side eye back then. Once I figured out who he was, and how he had influenced me for years, I guess I deserved those glances. LOL. Truly one of the greats!

[@stevelockfranks4671]

I’ve been saying for years that this is “thee” funkiest bass line ever written….in my humble opinion. Thank you for finally bringing it back to the forefront as I still introduce this song to people who’ve never heard of it who are seasoned musicians. Thanks. 👍🏾

[@jamesboddington9565]

Just back from a dig on the Pleasure back catalogue thanks to this video. Wowsa! Nate Phillips is a freak, and Pleasure are amazing. As a bass player myself I can't believe he/they escaped my notice all these years. Thank You!!

[@josephromano7867]

Wow this is unbelievable bass line!!! Time to go to the shed again!!! Thanks Paul!!

[@stuartthorne4872]

Thanks soooo much for this one. And yes, I’ve definitely “got some homework to do!” 🎸🔥🎵🔥🔥🙌🏿🦁☀️ A suggestion for a future clip: If you haven’t covered it already, Fat Larry’s Band’s “Act Like You Know” is hands down one the nastiest, stank face-inducing funk bass lines ever recorded. I’d love to see a breakdown of that one. Thanks again for all the great content. 🙏🏿🦁☀️

[@mistersample]

yes sir. I love it when the science of music parts built on top of each other create a masterpiece and the individual parts are unique. Thanks for breaking down

[@larrio32]

Thanks for recognizing Phillip..

[@bassocanario]

Maestro, what you present in these 5-10 minute videos is consistently brilliant. Once again: thank you! It would be great if you can bring back the t-shirts, too!😉😎

[@viktordelim]

Commenting right away to push this up!

[@achimschmidt5888]

Over here in Germany nearly nobody knows about this Group and this particular Bassline. But I had the Pleasure to play in a American/German Funk Band and my fellow musicians introduced to to that Universe of funk. I'm glad you run this channel, it is always a motivation to stick with my bass again to practice these incredible again. It is pure fun. : )

[@chazp4551]

Funny you say that because the very first time I heard this line, I was living in Germany. Actually playing with a rock band (soon to be a jazz-rock-fusion combo) and touring Europe. I was into my Stanley/Jaco thing but getting a lot of inspiration from all of the funk bands of the time. When I got this particular album (Future Now) and heard this particular song, I immediately stop, flipped a Huey and was beating up my Alembic to get this down. Always remained a part of my warm-up. Saw Nate a couple of years ago in Oakland when he was playing with Jeff Lorber and got to chop it up a bit. Extremely nice guy, intelligent and funk personified. Thanks for the memory.

[@achimschmidt5888]

@@chazp4551 thank you for your answer. yes back in the day the bass player had an important part in making people dance. My band had an contract with the US Army and we played a circuit in the NCO clubs in the Army installations in southern Germany. For me as a kid this was the best school: How I have to play these Basslines to make these black folks dance. I remember how glad I was when a few Girls started to shake their booty ......Great times. Greatings from Germany

[@jmarcguy]

Pleasure! I didn’t think of this one. Got stuck on Larry Graham. Pleasure is SO underrated. Major jazzy funk group.

[@nathanmcclain7487]

I have a quite a few favorite bass lines, but this one definitely stands out as my top!!! Nate Phillips was having fun for sure when he did this. The guitar help put this bass line in the stratosphere 🌠

[@gil3green]

Didn’t know Carter passed rip. “Law of the raw” an atf! Killer rhythm section, listen to the end!

[@nickspizza3197]

I had the opportunity to watch Nate record most of an album and then go with him to the stage at night to play one of the most phenomenal gigs I ever seen as a bass player in my life next to Lewis Johnson

[@darkandmoody73]

It's pure joy when I watch a video, and I get to see a cd collection in the background. Anybody who has shelves of cds( or vinyl) in their house is my definition of COOL!

[@teesmith4844]

When this song came out I was learning to play 6 string guitar. I was able to play the guitar part. I taught myself to play Bass guitar about 10 years ago. I'm still trying to learn to play this awesome Bass line.

[@richbrownbass]

As soon as I read the title, I knew. It really is the ULTIMATE! Great work as always, my brother.

[@waynedexter]

Thanks for giving me Pleasure ☺️

[@pdbass]

My pleasure 😊

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Was an honor hosting Nate Phillips for my Jazz Safari project in Nairobi, Kenya. Very nice talks we had. Nice Cat. Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@RobT40]

Thank you so much for reviewing my all time favorite bass line! I literally get chills everytime I hear it, especially when he hits those octaves, crisp!!! Pleasure and Slave made me want to play bass and I still dream of playing at this level! Awesome review!

[@chuckhollins9891]

Thanks for breaking this down and for the up close and perfect view I was finally able to see exactly what is being played really appreciate you!! 👍

[@wfphillips]

I was wondering when you were going to get around this group. A basement bassists dream! I used to joke that we were play cousins (last name being Phillips and all), and you play it so clean, man! Kudos

[@swingbass05]

Such an incredible line. One of my favorite songs. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@qfella]

I always wondered who the bassist behind the group Pleasure is. He is truly #BadAss widdit👍Sending My Love is still a banger in my opinion. Thanx Paul👍✌

[@balisaani]

I always thought Run For Cover was the ultimate gold standard for all bass players to learn to play - until it was dethroned by Teen Town (the slap version by Marcus). But this works too. It’s just that I never heard of it until watching this.

[@timothylawson3262]

You have to be under 40 to have not heard of Glide, but better late than never.

[@Egap1]

I knew you would get to this eventually. This is a top five funk bassline from the seventies, for me. Thanks!

[@Andrew_M_Ward]

As always: The best 5 minutes on KZbin

[@SnowflakeMulti-tool]

So my curse is that my hobby is hobbies, i have not been in the band culture for a while, but i always feel smarter for watching these music appreciation videos!

[@djcoolcliff]

Glide by Pleasure is so funky!!!!!!! You may have already done this but that Damn Mark Adams from Slave!!!! He is a monster!!!!! RIP!!!

[@CackleJack]

I love the bands you are introducing to myself and others. Thank you.

[@RaiderClarke312]

Yep It was one of the first Slap Basslines I learned how to play Slap....... Beacuase of everything you mentioned In this Breakdown of Video.....

[@beatrocka5]

PDBass, man, you always give me something that I didn't know I needed in my life!! I'd never heard this whole song, only bit pieces of it, but now I gotta learn to play it. Thanks for the awesome info, and your great exaamples of how to play bass!!

[@bassinitmac1T]

It's this song with that e7 movement and the melodic double note bassline was the reason that I wanted to play bass! Nate is the man!

[@juliusCR3]

One of my absolute favorites. Thank you Sir. 👊

[@carlnewman5448]

Always loved this…an absolute classic ❤️

[@nuevarine]

So many memories of hearing this played at home. What a great song.

[@signalsoldier]

I knew exactly what this would be before it even played. My all time favorite bass line!

[@carloszagal1934]

Fun fact, Nate Phillps also played on the ending song to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It's crazy to see him pop on your channel and it turns out he played on a video game from my childhood 😎😎

[@134rwa]

That is one of the most awesome bass lines I've ever heard, it set a higher standard.

[@treadkins5867]

Man you are definitely telling the truth. I am a child of am 70s radio and I remember that song being played. With all those genres of music back then. I had to have some drumsticks and bass guitar in my hands at a young age.

[@ImJustStandingHere]

I LOVE playing Glide so much, it's one of the funniest baselines hands down

[@cliftonmanuel2521]

These are great bands

[@planetpjr]

That cat that played for Teena Marie as well. Square Biz, so cool. The drums are killer.

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

Allen McGrier

[@ratman262]

My bass teacher had me on this at university. Massive tune. I haven't continued building on slap technique after my degree (except to learn Hair) but this tune and Let The Praise Begin by Fred Hammond made me appreciate how great a slap line can be.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

Great one! I first got acquainted to this bassline through the tune Sugar Hill Groove by the Sugar Hill Gang so I have thought for a long time that this was actually a Doug Wimbish bassline.

[@petertrotman7708]

Doug Winbush would re-record all those basslines for the Sugar Hill label, so you're not far wrong.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

@@petertrotman7708 Yes indeed, he played it but it was not 'his'.

[@JohnHancotte]

Inspiring as always. Slap is one of my many weaknesses. Gotta hit the 'shed and work on this.

[@boubix]

Take a chance, Yearnin' Burnin', Bouncy Lady, Sassafras Girl, Nothing to it, Now you choose me, Sending my love, Take it to the streets...this Nate Phillips might be onto something ! 👑