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The Latest Breaking News from Larry Graham

“I came up with slap bass out of necessity. I was basically trying to play drums on the bass”: Larry Graham recounts the birth of “thumpin’ and pluckin’”

Few bassists can stake a claim to inventing slap bass more than Sly and the Family Stone’s Larry Graham

Guitar World

The 20 greatest slap bass songs of all time

These masterful slap basslines chart the evolution of the quintessential bass technique, from Larry Graham to today's YouTube heroes

Guitar World

“We had it in about two takes. The funk was there as soon as we hit it”: Watch Louis 'thunder thumbs' Johnson slap a classic bass solo on the Brothers Johnson’s Stomp!

Johnson used a Music Man StingRay (which he helped design), and strung it with new D’Addario roundwounds

Guitar World

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“The whole track is driven by the bassline!” How “Ready” Freddie Washington conceived the dance-funk classic that later became a massive hit as Will Smith's Men In Black

The story of Patrice Rushen’s Forget Me Nots, the song that became more famous as the theme from the Will Smith and Tommy Lee film Men in Black and was sampled by George Michael

Guitar World

‘I never lived a life I didn’t want to live’: Sly Stone on addiction, ageing and changing music for ever

The immeasurably influential, infamously erratic soul star has written an unlikely autobiography. In a rare interview, Stone opens up on drugs, feuds and his treasure trove of unreleased tracks

The Guardian - UK

"Like wrestling an octopus": How to play bass like Les Claypool

Even if you're not playing double-stops tapped on a fretless 6-string bass there’s still a lot you can learn from Primus frontman Les Claypool. We asked him to break down some of his craziest basslines...

Guitar World

When TM Stevens met James Brown: “I said, ‘One day I'm going to play with you!’ He said, ‘Don't do it! Stay in school!’”

TM Stevens on meeting the Godfather of Soul and the bass players that helped shape his sound

Guitar World

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When Bootsy Collins met Larry Graham: “He handed me his bass, and I said, ‘Don't even try it. You play the bass, and I'll just watch’”

Why did funk legend Bootsy Collins refuse to jam with the godfather of slap bass?

Guitar World

Primus's Les Claypool names 7 bassists who shaped his sound

The alt-rock innovator on "one of the most underrated bass players ever", who he sees as the instrument's Jimi Hendrix and that time a low-end hero "f**king kicked my ass" in a jam

Guitar World

Larry Graham on when you really need to use a 5-string bass

The godfather of slap bass says “I actually love playing a 5-string for other artists, but not for live shows”

Guitar World

Get your eyes and ears ready for the king of the bass

'You're going to hear things you've never heard before.'

Newcastle Herald

"If you’re overplaying, you’re under-listening": Rocco Prestia on 50 years with Tower of Power

From the archive: in our last in-depth interview with Rocco Prestia he looked back over his five decades with Tower Of Power

Guitar World

Sly Stone’s greatest songs – ranked!

As Stone turns 80 this week, we appraise the best of his songs, from wildly exuberant funk-pop hits to claustrophobic tracks made amid huge personal and social turmoil

The Guardian - UK

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