Great moments in bass – “I Want You Back” and “ABC”

James Jamerson - his "ABC" is NOT as easy as 123!

I must say I was very saddened to hear about Michael Jackson’s passing. Like many others, I loved him as an artist and musician, and most of all an amazing vocalist and writer. His years after “Thriller” and “Bad” – not so much love there. Too much…too much.

But take the wayback machine to 1970 with me and remember a young Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, rocking it with “I Want You Back” and “ABC”, two absolute pop gems. These songs absolutely groove and the primary reason is the kicking bass work they feature. Placed up in the mix, you can’t help but want to dance – especially as Michael’s voice finds every hole in the pocket to slip in and complete the groove.

In “Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson” by Allan Slutsky (a.k.a. Dr. Licks – Hal Leonard Corp., 1991), a mystery is raised about who it was who played the amazing bass lines on these two songs. Was it James Jamerson, Freddie Perren, Wilton Felder, Ron Brown, or Dennis Coffey? All have been associated to the work on the session.

Clearly, this is Jamerson’s trademark Funk Brothers Motown style being employed, and I guess that no matter who played it, you can credit him with the approach to the lines that made these great moments in bass!

RIP Michael Jackson. Thanks for the joy you gave.