By Thomas Semioli

 

There are the players that accept the instrument for what it is, and there are those who have no other choice but to break new ground…

 

A session giant and among the most spirited and recognizable proponents of the extended range “bass guitar” (as he insists the instrument be referred to)– in particular his “contrabass” six string –  Anthony Jackson’s influence and impact on modern music is incalculable.

 

From his iconic picked motif on the O’Jay’s “For the Love of Money,” to his stellar pocket work on thousands of recordings and concert performances including Luther Vandross, Steely Dan, Chaka Kahn, Paul Simon, Michel Petrucciani, Hiromi, Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Lee Ritenour, and Roberta Flack to cite an extremely select few – Jackson is a harmonic and groove master. An educator, collaborator, and composer – sans Anthony Jackson, the extended range electric bass as we know would still be considered an anomaly.

Anthony Jackson Sound & Vision:

Dig Anthony with Harvey Mason and Lee Ritenour “P.A.L.S.” https://youtu.be/Qmi733Qnpnw

 

Dig Anthony with the O’Jays “For the Love of Money” https://youtu.be/GXE_n2q08Yw

 

Dig Anthony working the pocket with Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park https://youtu.be/RGK19Pg6sB0

 

Dig Anthony with Garland Jeffreys on “Ghost Writer” https://youtu.be/A-xf8ePtTt8

 

Dig Anthony’s “12 Bars No Blues” https://youtu.be/nXUHO3bE-F4

 

Dig Anthony with  Robben Ford (guitar), Jimmy McGriff (organ), Bernard Purdie (drums), and the horn section of Phil Woods (alto), Bob Berg (tenor) and Art Farmer (trumpet) “Palisades in Blue.” https://youtu.be/MIb4I6lu6JQ

 

Photos courtesy of Anthony Jackson Facebook

 

A hitherto “unknown” icon of the instrument….

 

Along with guitarist Norman Harris and drummer Earl Young, bassist Ronnie Baker anchored “The Sound of Philadelphia” which produced scores of hits in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. A combination of funk and rhythm & blues with pop songcraft enhanced by an orchestral / big-band backdrop; “Philly Soul,” TSOP, or simply the “Philadelphia Sound” achieved massive cross-over appeal.

 

Anonymous to most record buyers and Top 40 AM radio devotees as Philadelphia International and similar labels were notorious for omitting musician credits, Baker was also a producer, composer, and arranger.  In fact, Ronnie was the legendry songwriting / production team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff’s go-to session cat.

 

A James Jamerson disciple, Ronnie adhered mostly to outlining the changes in a traditional manner (1/3/5/7), and unlike James, kept his harmonic extensions and grace notes to a minimum. As such, he afforded space aplenty for Harris and Young to groove, and for the horns, strings, and vocalists to do their thing.

 

A Baker’s dozen of Ronnie’s iconic credits included Labelle, Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, The O’Jays, Billy Paul, The Spinners, The Stylistics, MFSB, Blue Magic, The Trammps, Archie Bell & the Drells, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Laura Nyro, Johnny Nash …

 

Ronnie Baker Sound & Vision….

 

The Spinners “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” https://youtu.be/xttw2AHaNFE

 

The Spinners “I’ll Be Around” https://youtu.be/AOgfQoEUNHI

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of The Spinners “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” https://youtu.be/Tpa6jvL70Vo

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of The Spinners “I’ll Be Around” https://youtu.be/4tDyE7nfXZY

 

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes “Bad Luck” https://youtu.be/mykhgDJvp6g

 

Billy Paul “Brown Baby” https://youtu.be/lTD8IcRlknM

 

O’Jays “Back Stabbers” https://youtu.be/RmXRQ3vfzcA

 

Dig this clip of “Love Train” from Soul Train with the O’Jays lip-synching atop Ronnie’s groove https://youtu.be/QyT9jTW7MHc

 

Laura Nyro and LaBelle “Gonna Take A Miracle” https://youtu.be/5CoN9PyoU80

 

Laura Nyro and LaBelle “Monkey Time / Dancing in the Street” https://youtu.be/nyREgIqMCcU

 

Wilson Pickett “Engine #9” https://youtu.be/Geb7kUnKDzc