Anthony Jackson is a good bass player to listen to to understand the untapped possibilities of bass within a band concept. Actually, bassists associated with "Jazz" or "R&B" or "Pop Music prior to 1990" are usually much better to listen to than their peers in "Rock" or "Metal" (not intended as a slight against Rock & Metal; rather a quest to make those styles more compelling - more on this in future posts).
Anthony Jackson is interesting because of his ability to play counterpoint melodies within the band context - melodically he counters the main melodic line, while rhythmically countering the drummer. It takes a thorough knowledge of the bass to be able to make this happen. Many bassists do not know the harmonic/melodic possibilities of the instrument, limiting the variety of what they play.
Anthony is not the first bassist to approach the instrument in this way; two of his biggest influences are James Jamerson (Motown house band - The Temptations, the Supremes, et. al.) and Joe Osborn (The L.A. "Wrecking Crew" - Ricky Nelson, The Carpenters, et. al.) A perfect example of Counterpoint melodic bass playing is the outro of The Fifth Dimension's "Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In", where bassist Joe Osborn starts really "grooving" or "jazzing it up"...
Here are some good albums to hear Anthony Jackson's take on this approach:
Chaka Khan - Naughty; Whacha Gonna Do For Me?
Al Di Meola - Land of the Midnight Sun
Chick Corea - The Leprechaun
Steely Dan - Aja; Gaucho
Donald Fagen - The Nightfly
Steve Khan / Eyewitness (any)
Lee Ritenour - The Captain's Journey
Paul Simon - One Trick Pony; Hearts and Bones
Michel Camilo - One More Once (HIGHLY recommended)
Calle 54 (documentary film)
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