To my ears, he is in the company of Jaco, James Jamerson, Sir Paul, and his mentor Aston “Family Man” Barrett, with whom he studied.
The bass half of the iconic duo Sly & Robbie: Mr. Shakespeare is among the most influential players ever on record, on stage, and in the studio as a sideman / collaborator / producer binging the artistry of dub and reggae bass to the masses.
A prolific recording artist, composer, electronics-effects innovator, and master of rhythm and space, among other titles, Robbie and his partner Sly Dunbar, aka The Riddim Twins, extended the rhythms and culture of Jamaica worldwide by way of their watershed collaborations with artists spanning Bill Laswell, Bob Dylan, Peter Tosh, Grace Jones, Yellowman, Gilberto Gil, Mick Jagger, Ian Dury, and Serge Gainsbourg, to cite a select few from thousands of records and session dates.
Among Robbie’s weapons of choice include Hofner 501, Steinberger XL, Fender Jazz bass, Schecter 8 string bass, and PRS.
Robbie was cited by this writer in Huffington Post for bassists deserving recognition in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: https://bit.ly/34DvZNz
And this writer was cited by the Jamaica Observer for citing Robbie as a bass player worthy of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognition! https://bit.ly/2z5FiKn
Dig Robbie live with Peter Tosh: https://youtu.be/S7wLnP8X3ZI
Dig Robbie with Grace Jones: “Night Clubbing” https://youtu.be/grJiFTEGWAg
Dig Robbie with Bob Dylan: https://youtu.be/1XSvsFgvWr0
Dig Robbie with Ian Dury: “Spasticus Autiscusis” https://youtu.be/UKnBgJG9A8E