My Review of 'Space Bass' by Slick.
A superb, cosmic disco funk track, with great high pitched, dream-like vocals and a strong but pleasant rolling bass line; with an electronic edge. The lyrics set the scene perfectly and the whole tune can stir the imagination into believing it's being performed in an inter-galactic funk bar where people float and dance upside down weightless in zero gravity. A nice congas break is followed by a phaser which adds to the psychedelia of the track.Space bass reached number 16 in the UK Top 40 and was re-issued with lots of different B sides - probably to meet demand. In 2008 the track was issued on a 'bootlegged' (unlicensed) 12" single and has been used in a number of compilations, including Jeff Mills' mix/compilation 'Choices' (2004) on the Azuli label and Giles Peterson's 'In the House Mix' on ITH (2008). It is certainly a favorite track amongst many disco / funk, and also electronic music fans.
The title Space Bass is a play on words - just in case you missed it. I bet it's re-issued in 2999 :)
'SPACE BASS' BY SLICK - A TIMELESS DISCO CLASSIC!
Biography
Slick was formed as a studio group that consisted of the members the 'Ingram' family (formally known as 'Ecstasies') and Larry James with musicians from his group 'Fat Larrys Band,' (aka FLB), all of whom were no strangers to the disco / funk scene. They were signed to the Fantasy and WMOT (We Men Of Taste) Label and released two albums, The self titled 'Slick' and 'Go for it'. They received good success with both 'Space Bass' and 'Sexy Cream' singles. 'Space bass' reached no. 16 in The UK Top 40, but 'Sexy cream' was banned on Radio One in the UK because of the highly controversial lyrics.Band Members and musicians
- Norman ' Butch ' Ingram - Bass, Trombone, Trumpet
- Barbara Ingram - vocals
- Doris James - vocals
- Carla Benson - Vocals
- Dahlia Smythe - vocals
- Marguerite Pinder - vocals
- Evette Benton - Vocals
- Jimmy Williams - Bass
- Larry LaBes - Bass
- Jimmy Ingram - Keyboards/Synthesizer, Backing Vocals, Flute
- Timmy Ingram - Congas, Timbales, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Trumpet, Alto Saxophone
- John Ingram - Drums
- Billy Ingram - Guitar, Trombone, Backing Vocals
- Larry James (Fat Larrys Band) - Percussion
- Anthony Middleton - Guitar
- Ronnie James - Guitar
- Don Renaldo - Strings
- The Ultimate Strings - Strings
- John Mimms - Trombone
- Sylvester Middleton - Trumpet
Credits
Produced by Butch Ingram, Len BarryMusical arrangement Billy Ingram, Jimmy Ingram, Bill Neale, Pete DeAngelis
Engineered by - Frank Bernardini, Jerry Williamson, Michael Bonghi, Theodore McClean
Recording Engineers - Billy Olszewski, Fred Galletti, Gene Leone
Mastered By - Dave Moyssiadis
Executive Producers - Alan Rubens, Bruce Gable, Steve Bernstein, Harvey Fuqua
Discography
Albums
- Slick - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1979
- Space Bass (4 track EP) - Fantasy Records 1979
- Go For It - Fantasy Records 1980
Singles
- Put Your Pants On - Fantasy WMOT Records - 1979
- Sexy Cream - Fantasy - 1979
- Space Bass - Fantasy - 1979
- The Whole World Is Dancing - Fantasy - 1979
- Forget You (It's Too Late) - Fantasy - 1980
- Betcha Bottom Dollar - Fantasy - 1980
- I Got The Feeling - Fantasy
My other favourite tracks by 'Slick'
- Sexy cream
- Feelin' Good
- Betcha bottom dollar
- Put your pants on
Youtube Video
Spacebass
"Dancin' upside down.... even in the year 3000!"
4 comments:
eVen in thE year 3000!!! tHeres no doubt abOut it, tHis is the kind oF song thAt wiLL sound forever!!! great soNg, oNe of thE besT fOr me. saludos desde Venezuela.
Lovley song - I Heard this song first time in 2004. All this years I have think about it, And now I find it here. :) Thank you so much for sharing.
Brings back those memories of hitting the dance floor in the late 70s.
Can't find the lyrics to Space Bass!!!
Regards from Venezuela
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