Abraham Laboriel Dear Friends (1993)

Laboriel has said more than once that he plays the bass like the drums, and that J.S. Bach’s figured bass is his biggest influence. This makes sense when you listen to his solo work. Dear Friends certainly has the concept of a melodic bottom end up front; ‘Holidays’ is a conversation between the piano and bass that creates a panoramic and catchy piece of music. Of the many basses that Laboriel has played over the years, he’s often returned to a Yamaha TRB or BB2000. He’s also used Tylers, a Leduc MM5, a Status Graphite six-string and the headless acoustic Bassline Worp. Here, we reckon it’s Yamaha all the way. Ultimately, it’s all about that groove, and ‘Samba 7’ brings together his South American background and his jazz training. Sticking mainly to roots and octaves, he also finds space to show off up the neck with some snazzy turns and interjections. He’s also a team player par excellence, and is restrained and smooth on the lovely ‘Simple Self’, which features Larry Carlton’s gorgeous guitar.