The Essentials

Richard Bona is a jaw-droppingly good musical polygot from Cameroon. He reached "mainstream" fame playing side man to Michael Stern and Pat Metheny, but he's in a class -- if not a world -- by himself. Some people call him "The African Sting" or "the next Jaco": I just call him damn good.

I can still remember where I was and what I was doing the first time that I ever heard Stanley Clarke play. My brother brought home a cassette and played Stanley Clarkle and Stanley Jordan's take on Stevie Wonder's Overjoyed. I was floored, and nothing was ever the same.

School Days stands as a "must-learn" for just about every bass player. A watershed album.

Hugely influential on me. This was the first time I had every heard of Victor Wooten and his style of playing has had (is still having, actually) a massive impact on me. And, of course, Sinister Minister is another major milestone in bass history. Bela Fleck's ability to meld wildly disparate styles of music remains one of his greatest strengths.

Of all of Jamerson's recordings, his masterpiece is Marvin Gaye's What's Goin' On. Particularly in light of the manner in which it was recorded, the expressiveness, the tone and the feel are sublime.

Marcus has a mountain of albums to his credit, so it's hard to pick only one. To me, most of Marcus' studio albums feel sterile (possibly due to heavy use of drum machines). This is his second offical live album (and it's a double CD to boot). The music flows organically, allowing Marcus' natural groove and expression to run free.

Bootsy Collins is another bass player who has influenced legions whether they know it or not. I can't remember what the first P-Funk album was that I heard, but I can remember pouring over Flashlight and Aqua Boogie for hours, trying to learn everything there.

Still earthshattering after all of these years. From Donna Lee through Portrait of Tracy through 6/4 jam, Jaco's influence probably can't be measured, only appreciated for the sheer brilliant genius that it is.

The highpoint of Jaco's career with Weather Report. Birdland and Teen Town are yet more for the "must-learn" pile.

Flea was one of the first people I can remember hearing who really made the funk vibe work with a harder rock/punk style. The Chili Pepper's take on Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground kept me up at night for days until I worked out all the little details.

Geddy Lee was my first and strongest influence. Thanks to my brother, I really can't remember not listening to Rush. I have a hard time picking just one of their albums to recommend, but this one is a good starting point. Rush is at a transition point from the Led Zepplin-like past and their rock/synth future. This live album captures Lee's playing exquisitely, and everything's organic (no sequencers or anything of that ilk). For a more up-to-date version of Rush live, try Rush in Rio.

Larry Graham singlehandedly changed the bass instrument when he invented the thump/slap style. Another incredible influence on the instrument that most people never know.

There's nothing like catching a Victor Wooten show live. Three or four hours of music: some funk, some jazz, a bit of rock, lots of virtuousity and great showmanship. This is probably the best attempt at capturing the experience.

One of the best recordings of bass guitar that I have ever heard. The entire album is a single track of bass guitar, sometimes with drums/vocals, sometimes without. Another huge influence, showing me the power of solo bass. Victor also opened the door to me being able to understand how I could apply things that I learned while drumming to the bass guitar.