Contrebasses (LP)

UK Import

Guy Pedersen, French jazz-soul-funk double-bass player extraordinaire, recordedContrebassesin 1970 for Tele Music. It’s one of the most outstanding — yet puzzlingly slept-on — releases in the library’s catalogue. Forget library, this is basically a sublime, straight-up moody jazz record with monster breaks. It’s brimming with sensational psychedelic/jazzy bass-heavy moments throughout. “Indian Pop Bass” contains a deep, abstract breakbeat that intersects with a bassline that loops as if it sinks into the swaying, heavy, slow drums. The mysterious, deliberate “Prlude Une Angoisse” is an eerie, magical number with ace effects whilst “Patio Bass” is a breezy deep jazz knockout with fantastic drums and a sashaying melody. “Tension Nerveuse” creates an atmosphere that’s exactly as the title suggests, full of genuine suspense, rumbling percussion and deep drama jazz. “Amour, Dlices Et Contrebasse” is a touch lightweight so you’re advised to head to the much darker, peculiar funk of “Percussion Bass”, bursting with imaginative sounds and effects. “Obsession Diabolique” closes out the A Side, with a funky walking bassline and sparkling percussion battling against droning strings to create a uniquely unsettling, beatless track. Enlivening the B-Side immediately is the fantastic, propulsive funky-jazz of “Les Copains De La Basse”. “Doucement La Basse” is largely forgettable but “Bass Session” is a blazing psych-jazz-rock burner. “Bass After Love” is devastatingly psychy, funky and unique. “Ballade Pour Une Basse” is a classic funky French jazz piece with an infectious bass melody that seems to anticipate “Before The Night Is Over”, theJoe Simontrack thatOutkastsampled for “So Fresh, So Clean”. The audio forContrebasseshas been remastered by Be With regularSimon Francis, ensuring this release sounds better than ever.Cicely Balston‘s expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the original, iconic Tele Music house sleeve has been restored here at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue.

Tracklist:

A1. Indian Pop Bass
A2. Prlude Une Angoisse
A3. Patio Bass
A4. Tension Nerveuse
A5. Amour, Dlices Et Contrebasse
A6. Percussion Bass
A7. Obsession Diabolique
B1. Les Copains De La Basse
B2. Doucement La Basse
B3. Bass Session
B4. Bass After Love
B5. Ballade Pour Une Basse
B6. Cosmic Bass