1, 2, To the Bass

by Stanley Clarke

Overview

Stanley Clarke is without doubt a phenomenally talented bassist but has not done much to showcase this ability on his own recordings since the late '70s. You can chalk that up mostly to Clarke's propensity for trite, pop-oriented material that does little to illuminate his great technical command of the instrument or to engage the listener either melodically or lyrically. 1, 2, to the Bass is a step in the right direction with a more jazz-oriented feel and some interesting guest appearances. Rapper Q-Tip gets things off to a nice start on the title track which reimagines '90s hip-hop jazz as "quiet storm" R&B. "Simply Said" is reminiscent of Sting's more fusion-style originals with flutist Hubert Laws on a nice melodic hook. There is also an inspired reworking of the R&B classic "Where Is the Love" featuring Glenn Lewis and Amel Larrieux. Later on, if "Los Caballos (The Horses)" sounds a little too much like Madonna's "Borderline," and Oprah Winfrey's reading of Maya Angelou's "I Shall Not Be Moved" seems a bit out of place on an album that includes a song titled "Just Cruzin'," there's at least the "Rock It"-styled electro-disco-funk of "Bout the Bass." And don't forget the monstrous "freak" funk cover of "Hair" that almost redeems everything guitarist Joe Satriani has ever done. Perhaps not the exhilarating breakthrough one would hope, 1, 2, to the Bass is nonetheless a very exciting return to form. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	04/15/2003
Label:	Epic
UPC:	0074646734629

Tracks

1. 1, 2, To the Bass
2. Simply Said
3. Where Is the Love?
4. Anna (She Loves the Good Life)
5. Los Callabos (The Horses)
6. Just Cruizin' (En Hommage - Wes Montgomery/George Benson/Pat Martino)
7. 'Bout the Bass
8. Hair
9. Touch
10. All the Children/Todos los Ni¿¿os
11. I Shall Not Be Moved
12. Shanti Peace Paz

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stanley Clarke   Primary Artist,Bass,Piano,Vocals,Soloist,Conductor,Tenor Bass,Wah Wah Bass,Bass (Acoustic),Bass (Electric)
Amel Larrieux   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Glenn Lewis   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Oprah Winfrey   Primary Artist,Spoken Word
Q-Tip   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Guest Artist,Spoken Word
Paul Jackson, Jr.   Guest Artist,Guitar
Joe Satriani   Guest Artist,Guitar
George Duke   Guest Artist,Keyboards,Wurlitzer
Everette Harp   Guest Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Alto),Sax (Soprano)
Hubert Laws   Guest Artist,Flute
James Earl   Bass
Doug Webb   Saxophone
Reggie Hamilton   Bass
Gerry Brown   Drums
Armand Sabal-Lecco   Bass
Myron McKinley   Keyboards
Michael Hunter   Trumpet
Vinnie Colaiuta   Drums
Bob Leatherbarrow   Vibraphone
Michael Hart Thompson   Guitar
Doctor L. Subramaniam   Violin
Ira Hearshen   Conductor
Reggie C. Young   Trombone
John "J.R." Robinson   Drums

Technical Credits

Stanley Jordan   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Larry Graham   Composer
L. Subramaniam   Composer
Q-Tip   Producer
Quincy Jones   Producer
Maya Angelou   Composer
Myron McKinley   Composer
Stanley Clarke   Composer,Producer,Executive Producer,String Arrangements
Ralph MacDonald   Composer
Ira Hearshen   String Arrangements
Mickey Shapiro   Direction,Management
Nancy Donald   Art Direction
Hooshik   Art Direction
William Salter   Composer