The Dopest Bass Note In Pop Music 

Rod Temperton wrote this masterpiece. Let's not forget him📢👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

The fact George Benson came in skating while playing guitar, you already know it was gonna be funky. Rod Temperton, Richard Tee, Q the Dude...(Quincy Jones)... Classic. Good times!

I didn't realize back then how complex pop music was at the time. The level seems so much higher than now.

Quincy Jones has a dedicated section in my record collection. The way he composed, produced and unlocked talent was just insane.

Quincy Jones producer, Rod Temperton(RIP) I used to crank this on my boom boxes. I was 19 when this came out. I'm tearing up writing this. I miss this. Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson) a beast on the bass since age 20. Rest in peace brother! Love enternally!💔

Quincy was Such a prolific Producer with one of most Gifted Ears to ever hear music

How crazy is playing guitar whilst roller skating? Insane talent Mr Benson has

I love your videos, because they’re about loving music music music first and loving bass second - not about gear.

George is one of my favorite guitarists. His early stuff especially

I agree Quincy’s a massive genius at production and Give Me The Night is one of the greatest songs he’s ever produced! That bass line/synth combo is a masterpiece.

Abe is so unrecognized. So tasty and musical. I love his work with Larry Carlton and Joe Sample. As well as on Quincy's "The Dude". One of the all time great studio players.

This album Help cross GB over. He was a monster on the jazz scene already.

The older I get, the more I appreciate Richard Tee. His feel and timing are so, so good! I hadn't realized that he played synth bass too. Thanks for the lesson!

Abe Laboriel? WOW... for years I just knew that was Mr. Thunder Thumbs with the similar approach sound-wise. I was often amazed of the electric bass/synth bass trade off (R.I.P. Richard Tee) and that was brilliantly engineered... LUVIT!

My dad loved this record - he would have turned 100 this month. I miss dad and I miss this kind of music...

Paul… I just love the way you put your videos together. They’re short, sweet and full of info. This video was no different. When this record came out I had just turned 17. At the time I was still heavily listening to Benson’s “On Broadway” & Quincy Jones’s album “Walking In Space”. So when Give Me The Night came out I was in Heaven. I love the way you break down the different bass parts and give some heavily due credit to both musicians. And yes… that E flat is EVERYTHING. ✌🏽❤️🎸🍄

George Benson has always been an underrated guitarist and performer! Add Quincy and you have pure magic!!!

Again, as a bass player myself, I learn something new watching your channel. This is great, keep doing these. Thank You again.

That subtle magic. Taking time in the studio seems like a no-brainer when the product is forever. But it will make you go mad. Thats what makes guys like Quincy extraordinary.

Abe Laboriel's bass tone on this album is to die for. I've never heard it duplicated anywhere else. Absolutely delicious.

It's clear to me that you and I have very similar taste. I wore this track _out._ Love Benson! His covers of "Love Ballad" and "On Broadway" were excellent. Of course, "Turn Your Love Around" was also a big hit. And "This Masquerade" is a timeless classic. Never get tired of him.

The legendary Quincy + the phenomenal Abe Laboriel=GENIUS!!!!!!!!

Anything Quincy touched turned to gold. What’s more, he was the Godfather of linking up two 24 track machines via SMPTE time code to give him the extra tracks he needed without bouncing. Remember - this is before we had infinite tracks and Pro Tools, and when musicians really played instruments, and there was no such thing as auto-tune. In my humble opinion, another “Q” there will never be.

I love your enthusiasm man...It is a privilege to be alive in a time of the greatest music ever made in earth history. It will never be heard again

I understand that Abe Laboriel is sometimes credited by some sources with that track, but c’mon, that’s Louis Johnson! Unless Abe is doing a spot-on imitation of him on a Musicman bass.. which seems VERY unlikely. Quincy knew when he wanted Louis Johnson’s sound on a track… to hire Louis Johnson! He even had Laboriel teach Johnson the bass part and changes on “Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me” because Johnson couldn’t read the part.. and he told Abe that he wanted LJ’s sound on the track! Louis Johnson’s DNA is all over this track.

Epic bassline , epic album , epic episode !!!

One of My Fav's. I Love them both. I loved all Of Quincy Jones stuff in the 80's. Just realized I was 9 years old in 1980. Been loving music all of my LIFE!!!! ♥

Two words: Abe Laboriel. The definition of dope bass playing...great video!

Thanks for giving props to Richard Tee and Abe; I have them in the rhythm sections of so many of my jazz albums. And Quincy's production on this song is good as always.

I love this jam! Give Me the Night will always have a special place in my heart because it's the first song I heard on the radio after I came to Pittsburgh (and the USA) for the very first time. We were staying at my dad's friend's house and he picked us up from the old Greater Pittsburgh international Airport...his house was about an hour away and it was late in the evening, so I'll forever think of it as a late night drive-home-from-the-airport song! But it wasn't until many years later that I started to appreciate the brilliance and musicality of the song, performance, and arrangement! (For instance I never knew Abe Sr. played bass on this one) Thanks for this great breakdown video...so many brilliant musical ideas here.

I have the multitrack session of this song and it is interesting to listen to after seeing your video. There you can hear the bass being played all through the track aswell as the synth bass. One of my favourite Rod Temperton songs for sure. He is probably my favourite song writer of all times when it comes to writing for other artists.

Some things in life go directly to the core. The presenter of this video has discovered a short cut. He is fuelled by a tidal wave of enthusiasm and technical ability, which, is turned into a deep musical passion. I was gobsmacked by what he has taught us about the base line. Just keep these videos flowing please.

Lee Ritenour added his unmistakable sparkle, too🎼

I actually thought it was Louis Johnson during the time, since he was the only bassist I knew during that period who played Keyboard bass and would switch to electric in a song, like he did on Light Up The Night which came out the same year

This album is fire track for track. Different genres and all, from beginning to end. Even the instrumentals are fire. I NEVER listen to just one track on this album. Great work from Benson and Jones.

I found this album for 2 dollars at the vinyl store and it turned out to be autographed by both George benson and Quincy jones its beautiful.

Such a great track and album, highlighting Quincy’s genius. The production, mixing and choice of musicians top drawer. Thanks for your wonderful presentation and featuring the amazing talents of Abe Laboriel 🙏

As always, great video. I’m obsessed with George Benson and I’m happy other musicians are getting on here talking about the jams!

the way its recorded is just incredible. its audio candy. That mid-range clarity is unmatched. I also love the double bass parts in the sos bands classic take your time.

Before I buy albums I usually read the credits to see if people like Abraham Laboriel, Nathan East or Neil Stubenhaus were playing bass. If they were then I know it would be my money's worth

I am not a musician but I love music and often admire the individual musicians I hear playing in my favorite songs. I can't tell you how fun it is watching these excellent videos!

Okay... I know damn good and well that I clicked like on this, when I found it a couple months ago. Also, that low note is unbelievably satisfying. Been one of my favorite parts of the song since I first heard it back in the day.

Addicted to this song for 40 years

i was in a supermarket,,,,a couple of days ago and right when i walked in....this came on.....kinda loud too!!!!!!!!! and i had to just stop......and enjoy it all!!!!!!!!!!! so great....thanks for this!!!!

Great episode! Met Mr. Laboriel on several occasions always a gentleman and encouraging to other musicians 🙏🏾

Bang on! You're 100% on the money with this video - fantastic insight, compelling and very entertaining. POW!!!!

Richard Tee shoutout made my day, I LOVE his work with Stuff!

Amazing as always. Your choice of pop, funk and jazz tunes are wonderfully picked plus the way you demonstrate them. Excellent! 🙏🏿💯👍🏾

Why am I just finding this channel? Now I'll be binge watching episodes. Sending shout outs from Philly Funk Radio in Philadelphia,Pa.

Beautiful breakdown. You never disappoint.

Just found your channel. So funny to see George Benson skating , as this was a HUGE hit at skate joints in NYC. DJs had a filed day stretching is out , there so much to work with. TYVM!

Love GB and this song. He sang as well as he played. He always had at least one vocal track on every album even when he was doing strictly jazz. I saw him live in a club in DC and he sang People from Funny Girl. I still get chills when I think about it. The absolute best version ever!

As a Guitarist I have to say that George's guitar riff/hook on this track was one of my earliest memories of wanting to play the Guitar ... loved it!

The fusion of jazz, funk, soul & r&b made this the track every DJ would play

Most of my still faves from this era were written by Rod Temperton. Great vid as ever. Many thanks mate.

Didn't know that Richard Tee and Abraham Laboriel played Synth/E. Bass on this Track. Learn something new again. Thanks Once Again for History Lesson....

One of the best songs about chess, along with Knight moves by Bob Seger

This was one of my favorite songs when it came out in the summer of 1980.

Temperton - unsung hero.

give me night is for me one of the most perfect songs ever recorded

That intro is all ya need. Skating at Southern CA beaches in the 70's and 80's this was a jam. Venice Beach used to jam this one. I had the yellow Sports Walkman with the tucked in earphones. Just love this one forever.

The part of this song which is played at the beginning of this video is so good! It can't getter than that, everything just comes together, so dope

This was great. This song has been on my playlist FOREVERRRRRR. ❤️❤️❤️

Wow. Nice break down. I've heard and enjoyed this song for years and did not get the feeling of it until you exp. Thanks

Best fade out in music history!

Well done Abe and well done Richard!! ✌️😌

Another great video , love Richard Tee on anything he did . Saw Benson live at Wembley in 1983 ! Loved it , loved it too much . Never too much !

Yes, an Abe Laboriel reference! He doesn't get near the respect he deserves outside the Christian and Jazz circles. And if you ever seen a video of Abe playing, you KNOW he was grooving while laying that track. He's the man!

That note is STILL a reliable thrill! I always thought just that low b7 was synth there, I’ll have to microscope it now. And I always assumed it was Louis, shocked it’s actually Abe!

ALWAYS informative Paul! Almost like getting "insider" information..... Love it🤜🏾🤛🏾

Somebody said it, but I have to chime in because I’m such a huge fan of the compositions of Rod Temperton. I’m a huge fan of Heatwave. The voice and harmonies of Johnnie Wilder Jr are gold. But it’s the songwriting of Rod that really grabs my ears tight! As you go over baselines, please take note of the baselines of Rod’s songs. It’s the groove. Sometimes dark and brooding but deep in the groove that it hits you in the gut. Go back and listen to Ain’t No Half Steppin’”, “Super Soul Sister”, “Lay It On Me”, “The Groove Line”, “The Star Of A Story”, “Razzle Dazzle”, “One Night Tan”, “All Talked Out”, “Gangters Of The Groove”… I can go on. When he joined Quincy’s team, it was hit time! Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” is another great example of a good bass line. And as for George’s album, Rod’s tune “Off Broadway” is my jam! Yep, Rod was that dude!

I'm taking a deep dive into this song at the moment and I came up with the same conclusions you have about the lowered E string - A little head scratching before I realised tha answer - & that both real and synth bass were indeed recorded throughout the whole track. They must have switched between the two during the mixdown, as you say. I managed to find a 22 stem version of the song which includes the basic tracks. In another interview with Lee Ritenour, he mentions that Q synced up multiple 24 track machines, and recorded over 100 tracks altogether. My edu-guess is that I've got the first 24 tape of the session. (brass, strings, percussion and extra synth lines are missing.) Another extra thing I discovered is that the album version (5min+) has reversed stereo to the single version (3min+). I used a stereo swap plugin to verify this. What you hear on the left on the album, is on the right on the single. My guess is that it was a mistake, but not sure how it could have happened, or when, (mix, master, pressing, subsequent mixes for digital etc).

Man oh man it's so much killer bass on Give Me The Night. Love X Love and Doriah Doriah come to mind. I have that album on cd. Along with Weekend in LA they are in regular rotation in my car. George Benson and Pat Metheny are my favorite artists. They hit different....But I love them equally.

In the early '80s, I worked at a major fashion house on NY's famous 5th Avenue. This particular retailer was quite expensive and generally heads of states, kings, sultans, oil tycoons and US politicians were the primary clients. Well, all those guys and George Benson. Over a period of some years, Mr. Benson would come in and help himself to some of the finest suits and shoes in the world. And, it was through the visits that he made to the store that we eventually got to know each other well enough to consider seeing each other a happy experience. It was always nice to see him and he always expressed the same sentiment in return. In fact, we knew each other well enough that the one time I saw him outside of my work setting, was at Bergdorf Goodman, and he came over to say hello to me because I had not noticed that he was just a few feet away. It was a very pleasant exchange. He was always such a pleasant man. One day, I worked up the courage to tell him how much I loved this particular song and how much it meant to me growing up. I told him how the summer after this song came out, was completely defined by this song. How my first real girlfriend came right after we danced to this song on her birthday. And how she eventually broke my heart when she moved away. But boy, the summer that we had and how whenever I hear this song, it fills me with love, melonchaly and joy all at once! I couks see that he was full of gratitude and if I dare say, I believe he became a bit emotional as well. I have great memories of my time with George Benson both in person, and musically. A great man indeed!

Making this kind of insight available adds to the enjoyment of the song. Thanks for your contribution! 👍

Absolutely love your videos!!! Very educational! Please keep doing what you do.

Two things: Herb's last name is Alpert with a "p." And yes, recording many tracks was expensive and time consuming. But don't forget, those top studio players were able to both come up with great parts very quickly, and could play those parts in very few takes. That's why they were so great and in demand.

I’ve always loved that note too. It’s so beautifully placed.

I love your enthusiasm my man! Anytime I check your videos I'm learning something new. Thanks champ!

"Give me the night" never gets old.I absolutely love the melody,both bass/synth lines for sure!!♥️🤖⚡

Awesome video!👍My favorite song of the album remains «Love x Love».

LOVE YOUR BREAKDOWNS AND INTRICATE INFO ON THESE DYNAMIC SONGS!! I APPRECIATE YOU, MY MAN!

This is one kick ass album what bass lines wooooo!!

Dang it #pdbass...you always send me down the music rabbit hole of great classics every time I watch. Now I done gone from Brothers Johnson to The Intruders. #loveyouchannel

George Benson is a once in lifetime jazz artist. Bad boy

I love the footage from that Grover Washington Jr concert!

One of my favorite Quincy productions!

This track was huge when it came out and one of my favorites.

Yo, great RICHARD TEE call out! He's a ruler.

I honestly never heard of Richard Tee. But hearing who he's played for, you know he is a bad ass.

I love your analysis of the song's structure and the notable impact of that Eb note on the bass. Those types of ah-ha moments in music always keep you coming back for more, don't they? Even tho this is not a style of bass that I personally play, I am inspired to keep the idea of it in the back of my mind during the next rehearsals or shows I play. Thanks! I'm a new subscriber for sure.

Thank you for this one. That note jumps out at you. Abe's work is special.

That was so dope it was sick!!!...That was the sickest dope EVER!!!!!....and he had tone to the bone, it was a game changer.

Straight masterpiece

I only recently discovered your channel, but I'm glad I did. Not only do you present really interesting song facts, but the way your present it is top class. Thanks for your excellent videos. :)

So many great songs on this album...Star of A Story also has a beautiful haunting bass melody

Paul thanks for giving GB some much deserved love. This album is outrageous! It should be required listening for all aspiring musicians/ producers. Speaking of Quincy using various bassists check out Midnight Soul Patrol . I’m sure you know it well. Please keep doing what you do brother. Your love of music is a bright spot in all of our days !

pdbass, I literally have this song recording playing in my head sometimes. George Benson "Give Me the Night".

I must admit that I always played an E natural at the end of the break. That's why I'm addicted to the Harmonic Minor scale, and loved the short dissonance (kinda of wrong note) before getting back to the riff.

There's the full track of Abe's bass on this tune floating around online. I heard it on youtube a while ago, don't know if it's still up.