Mykesbass

Thanks for the reminder of Roots Manuva - I'll have to dig that out when I get my CDs out of storage!

Too difficult, as they constantly change. What I will offer are three very accessible Jazz albums: The Three Sounds with Stanley Turrentine - Blue Hour, Gil Evans - Out of the Cool, and Dexter Gordon - GO. Sorry to break your rules, but hope you like the suggestions!

The Faces. Not my favourite band, but one I've always thought "now that's the type of band I want to be in".

That's the second recommendation for Nas Illmatic - one I didn't know at all so will be checking, thanks. And glad to coax you out of your lurking!

Interesting, with the lyrics being in French (and therefore not understanding them) you get a really great illustration of the rhythmic qualities of the way they are delivered.

Deliberately a little provocative, but in a friendly, let's get a conversation going sort of way! Probably one of the most derided forms of music, especially among musicians, I thought I'd try, with the help of the Basschat experts to put things right, and see if we can collectively compile a playlist that may change a few minds. I've always enjoyed the mellower side - Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Gang Starr etc. but heard this on 6 Music this morning and loved the energy and excitement. Please feel free to add your favourites, with a view to converting a few naysayers!

Too right. Ella Fitzgerald - not many men could come anywhere near her musicality.

Another fine cable, great service and advice from Dave. Many thanks.

Billy Sheehan's Yamaha is probably one of very few genuine signature models, in that it was developed to his spec, and he had proper input into making something that was different. The Lemmy carved Ric and Jaco's de-fret are the only other two that come to mind. Sure there are more, but not as many as Fender manage to market!!

That would be one eye...

I've only got one - is that a "Norman"?

I'm probably heading a bit in the opposite direction. Always liked a lot of Jazz - big band being a bit of a favourite, and one of my absolute favourite pieces of music is Mozart's Grand Mass in Cm. But I'm now listening to bands like Rival Sons and Temperance Movement as that's the way my band is going. I've also been a major contributor to the Disco Faves thread, and not afraid of admitting to a few "guilty pleasures". So as others have said, enjoy whatever floats your boat!

Yes, great tune. Mathis and in a similar vein, Lou Rawls, had one foot in MoR and one in a much cooler camp!

And another from 6 Music at the weekend - again, so much of this is in the arrangement (including a couple of bars of French Horn)?

Another beaut thanks to 6 Music this morning, a lesser known, but fabulous Chic track.

Hi Roman, Will PM you - looking for recording a 5 piece in January on a paid for basis.

Didn't Wilko Johnson make his album thinking his time was up? Nice twist in the tale for him, surviving to enjoy the success!

Mudpie in Brighton doesn't have a lot of basses, but does get the occasional gem. Worth liking the Facebook page.

Singer 53, drummer 57, me 53, guitarist 18, other singer also 18. We've gone from being a blues band (playing a very broad interpretation of blues covers) to writing our own blues/rock material - think Temperance Movement, Rival Sons etc. The great thing about music now is that the generation gap has gone. These bands are playing stuff the band's of our youth were playing. Yes, no fame or fortune in the offing, but we are starting to get some interesting gig offers. Do it. Don't let age be the barrier.

I'd add the Guild Starfire to the list.

Having played a couple of anniversaries and (older) birthday parties in a rockier, Americana(ish) band because the couple or birthday person really loved us I'd advise caution, as there is a reason why Bruno Mars cheesy wedding bands are so popular - they appeal to the vast majority. The only other option would be something like a full on themed band (sorry themed probably a bad choice of word but works in the wedding context), so Ska could work really well, especially if they throw in some really well known stuff - Madness, Desmond Dekker. Other genres - I've seen a three piece Rockabilly outfit go down an absolute treat at a printer's Christmas party, ceilidh bands can often work if they have a great caller, or 40's RnB.