Yep, a head-to-head with two of Britain’s finest plank spankers, him out of Duran Duran and that bloke from Level 42. At first sight there’s no contest. King is a master virtuoso who clearly has his slap-chops down pat, JT is that pretty bloke who sort of tries to funk it up. Well, think again, mother lovers: JT is one of the most underrated players this country has produced in recent times. He’s got funk, and some sexy syncopation action going on. King, on the other hand, is clearly very good at what he does, but doesn’t it all get a bit samey after a while?
I found this a little while ago. It’s the bass line from Rio, isolated. It’s quite a weird listen as it doesn’t really seem to go with the rest of the song, but somehow it does. I like the fact that it’s been played live, as may be evidenced by the numerous mistakes. It’s a nice little exercise for all aspiring bass players. Get this down, and you’re on your way.
alas it fails to top this
JT is a great great bass player. All of his stuff on the first two albums is immense. Diminishing returns thereafter as they chased the teen pop formula.
Duran Duran, a group of fantastically talented and visionary musicians fronted by a fog horn with the delicacy of a herd of thundering bison.
JT’s Rio line is a little hesitant in parts and all the better for it – the kid knew how to drop a little stank on those early tunes while Kinger’s part on Love Games remains a monster, if not quite hitting the peaks of Livin’ It Up (The Sun Goes Down).