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Greatest rhythm sections

The rhythm section in a jazz, blues or rock band provides the foundation and motive force for the entire ensemble. The truly great ones not only establish the band's sonic signature, they can generate new styles. Which rhythm sections do you think have been the most influential in their respective genres, and, or changed the way you listened to music? Please try to limit your selections to groups and not individual musicians as it the ensemble sound I'd like to get your comments on.
siliab
dhoperos
9 posts
 
sly and robbie have done many, mnay great things. But, being the rhythm section for hundreds of reggae bands? Mmmm, hardly. Dozens of bands? Maybe. Rhythm section for bob Marley & the wailers? That’s just wrong. For that you’ve got to look for the real deal- Aston Familyman Barrett and brother Carly Barrett.

Fams and Carly are the real deal- the most dynamic duo. Their careers is a virtual history of reggae, from the dawn with lee scratch perry, they formed the core of the hippyboys, the upsetters, and yes, the wailers. they too had countless unaccredited sessions in-between.

it seems strange that people will stand in line for hours to credit ‘sly and robbie’ with wonderful achievements, while shunning Fams & Carly. Can anyone explain?
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
"Gosh, Mejames, guess the thread's over."  

Wrong. It has barely started.

matscticman knows something here, Geezer Butler & Bill Ward.
I give Tim Bogert & Carmine Appice  and...

FELIX PAPPALARDI & CORKY LAING
audionoobie's avatar
audionoobie
357 posts
 

Some more offerings:

Jeff Porcaro, Mike Porcaro, and David Paich (Toto)

David Garibaldi and Rocco Prestia (T.O.P)

Any Steely Dan record Gadd, Porcaro, Purdie, Rick Marotta, Jim Keltner, Chuck Rainey

Jaco Pastorius and Peter Erskine (Weather Report)

John McVie and Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)

Phil Gould and Mark King (Level 42)

Although I don't like this band personally, Flea and Chad Smith are a formidable rhythm section.


nicotico
187 posts
 
+1 for Hancock, Williams & Carter from Miles' second great quintet. Maintaining a groove is one thing, but these guys could also slither around it like no others.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

Two of my faves have already been mentioned---Al Jackson and Duck Dunn of The MG’s, and the two drummers of The Funk Brothers (the Motown house band) plus their best-in-the-world bass playing partner, the one-and-only James Jamerson.

To those I would add Roger Hawkins (drums) and David Hood (bass) of The Swampers, aka the house band at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It is with that rhythm section and in that studio that Jerry Wexler produced those astounding recordings of Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, Dusty Springfield, and many others.

And then there is the best team to have ever been in a self-contained Rock ’n’ Roll Group (self-contained meaning the members did all the writing, singing, and playing), Levon Helm (drums, harmonica, guitar, mandolin, and of course vocals), Rick Danko (bass, tuba, guitar, vocals), and Richard Manuel (piano, drums, vocals) of the God-almighty-great The Band. They are infact considered THE Band by the best musician’s in Rock ’n’ Roll.

By the way, I saw several of others' nominees live---The Who, Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience (as they were originally named), Led Zeppelin, others of that ilk, and sorry, those bands were not good in terms of being a rhythm section. They had their strengths and charms, but having or being a good rhythm section was not one of them. Honest!

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