90% of whatever technical ability I have on bass is thanks to learning every tune off of Space Cowboy. A masterclass in syncopation and articulation, and of course the pocket is so deep I lost my keys. Thanks Mr Zender. I credit your exaple and instruction for every gig I have booked since the 90s.
@@jahkeeli yes!!! I think the singer went off on his own but kept the name after if I’m remembering correctly..those first 3 albums were the same core band.
Stuart Zender lived around the corner from me as a kid and i never knew he would become one of the greatest bass players. I loved listening to too young to die . Was a great bass line to learn as a kid at 14. im glad Scott finally done a piece on him. Great work!
The amazing Nick Van Gelder on drums for the first album plus The Kids from the second album. The equally incredible Maurizio Ravalico on percussion - super important element, not to be ignored! The first album is all Streamer 4-string. 2nd album is a mixture of a bunch of basses. Thanks so much for giving Stu some love. Such an insanely influential player - his exit from the band probably cast a long shadow. What a dude!!
Yup, absolutely - I forgot about that one. I have recordings of pre-Zender Jamiroquai somewhere (and pre-Jamiroquai Zender!). Super interesting, because some of those grooves were already kinda in place before SZ joined the band. If memory serves, the line on the recorded version of ‘Too Young To Die’ was actually pre-Zender. Stu played the main groove quite differently live.
Example 6.....Manifest Destiny. Thank you guys for finally picking up on this track. This song featured on a Q Magazine cover CD called Assorted....on it was Manifest Destiny and I was blown away by the bassline. I'm not a bass player but I really appreciate top musicianship and this bassline has lingered in my head since I first heard it. I'm surprised that only a certain amount of people have heard the song. The technique, the sound, the bass line itself and the whole song is just stunning. Anyone seeing my comment who hasn't listened to the song in full, please do me and yourself a favour.....please.....go listen to it. Stuart Zender's time in the band was a stand out time for him, and this song shows his talent so well.
Hah, crazy man, I also had that CD, and had recently started playing Bass - I'd probably heard a couple of Jamiroquai tracks in the background of my life, but not really payed much attention (I was listening to Hendrix and Traffic!). When I heard "Manifest Destiny" on that Q CD I knew they were serious buisiness, Zender becoming one of the biggest influences on my playing, as he remains.
Its crazy how good that is, its crazy how beautiful that is, its crazy how they ALL were soo young and its crazy how big their impact was on ppl. you would never expect. Def. one of the greatest Bands in history. I love Jamiroquai.
Usually those musical geniuses inhaled music as young children (sang or played instruments in their early ages of life, with the proper musical education coming along)
The young mind is gifted with a blank slate to learn all this stuff on and find incredible inspiration, and how often do you think he played in those teenage years? 10 hours a day, probably. At least. But I do wish older guys the best of luck. If you practice 10 hours a day you can play all this stuff no problem.
Ofc you can, age it self is not a big factor. Time, responsibilities and access to education however can be. Latent talent does not die just because you happen to turn 28, 38 or 68. If you have it you have it, if not, then you have to work harder and there the time available/responsibility calculation might bite you in the butt a bit, price of living the adult life. Also its about the fun of playing music and getting good is in service of that fun, not the end goal. Play with your kids or friends, anyone who would like to play and enjoy smiling stupidly at each other as music happens, it's the best part. Peace
Stuart told me that Jason told him wanted, but didn't know how to articulate it, so Stu played what Jay wanted, but put his own spin on it. Similar to how James Brown used to do with his band. However, there are some basslines that he did write. "High Times" being one of them.
@@woodchuck40 - yep, they had a different bonus track on each of the American, Canadian, British & Australian market editions of the album. Believe International market got a different one as well, but can't remember. I think Funktion is the absolute funkiest jam they have ever recorded! th-cam.com/video/f_KJsPTLCaU/w-d-xo.html
Great episode. Man, Zender was a riot when Jamiroquai was first out. I was a bass player in a rocknroll band back in 1991-92 and I frankly had no idea what that dude was playing. We would assemble in the pub that we hung out in in the afternoons when there would be no one around and listen to that CD over and over among a number of other contemporary releases and I seriously couldn't understand what he was doing under there. He was so good.
Mr. Zender was my first teen crush (and still is, hehe) and also THE inspiration to start playing bass. The Return of the Space Cowboy is the greatest album of all times
My mate Ian Toothil was a massive fan of SZ. A seriously good bass player himself, Ian was absolutely loving the combination of musical originality, thát tone, impeccable groove, the ability to really put down the foundations of memorable songs.... Sadly Ian passed away a few years ago, at just 48. He definitely would've loved to watch this.
These albums were and are still legendary, in so many ways. The bass lines alone would stand on their own, no holds barred though the other parts and lyrics are super relevant and masterful for that time and still today. Me and musician friends were in awe of those arrangements at the time, and still are. Thanks SBL and Ian Martin Allison for covering this unique bassist!!
Said it before but, he is the reason I own a 91 streamer stage 1 natural just like Stuart's. I heard him once talking about how he carved a chunk out of the body of his warwick to get better access to fret 24 and he was gutted about it afterwards. He said warwick sorted it for him when he was getting his signature model made. Thanks for doing this video about my hero Stuart Zender.
@@MisbehavingChild I guess I played bass in a band before! But I still don't feel like a bassist because I mostly just play it like I play guitar and feel I should be doing more bass specific things to be a proper bassist. I guess I feel I'd be at least passable at a bit of slap or better at fingerpicking, but then again I can't fingerpick guitar, so maybe I am a bassist, I just don't know anyone else's basslines other than my own!
Stuart was one of my biggest musical influences as a young musician, I picked up the bass because of the huge inspiration the first two Jamiroquai albums were to me. I even played Warwick bass exclusively for years at gigs because of that guy. I learned more about bass, funk, and rhythm than anywhere else just by listening transcribing his tabs and learning to play this iconic tracks. It becomes sort of my style even while playing the guitar. My music is influenced by the band and the player even while I’m at other genres.
I'm glad to see this. I have worked through a few of Zender's basslines in the past and they are so groove heavy and awesome sounding. I'm glad to see that he is getting proper attention for his work
I think it's because at 16, with really no formal training, but just an innate 'feel' for the bass and just playing was why he was soo freaking good with it, even beyond his years! just my opinion.
Facts , he’s just one of those naturally gifted musicians who like u say just have that ‘feel’ that maybe u don’t have if you been formally trained, zender just a G ,as simple as that!
It is amazing to see a similar hang out session going down to the same tunes I had with several bass players over 20 years ago. Goes to show music as well as bass playing can be a positive universal language. I haven’t picked up my bass in weeks and this got me to in less than a minute. That’s what I got out of this. Just beautiful guys, thank you!
I can help you guys out with this. What you are missing is the fact that JK and Stu are B-boys. That is whats throwing you off. Its the approach. They both are influenced by 1970s bboy music like just begun. Also if you didnt know, bboy music is and fusion of Afro Cuban, jazz and funk. It is what we break to. And that is the secret.
Favourite bassist of all time, Scam is awesome, love the bassline and the switch towards the end is awesome. Deeper underground was on synkronized as a bonus track btw not ROTSC, awesome video. Subbed.
I bought my Warwick Streamer 4 LX (I couldn't make it to the Stage) because I loved SZ and the image of that bass that I still have, like those first Jamiroquai albums, pure acid jazz, pure novelty, pure youth. I spent hours learning by ear to play those beautiful lines! Greetings from Argentina and thanks for all the material and good vibes!
About 12 years ago I was sitting in the pub when "too young to die" came on the radio. I remembered that bassline from when I was a child, and then enjoyed again as a teenager. I was straight on ebay to buy the closest Bass I could find, and the rest is history!!
The arpeggio part he plays on Music of the Mind is worth a listen too. Especially when he picks it up in the second half and adds kind of a lead on to the end of each part. It's FAST too and the keeps it up flawlessly for ages. 😮
I met him at a meet n' greet after the gig in 1997. Actually, me and my friends met everybody in the band except Jay K.. Go figure! LOL Anyways, me and a couple of my friends hung out, smoked weed, and talked bass players with Stuart for an hour and a half.. ..and let me tell you. It was clear that we were in the presence of genius. You all were talking about how Stuart was 18 years old and that sucks??! YES gentlemen. My peeps and i had that moment as well. CLEARLY, he was a VERY young lad who we would have asked for an I.D for beer. LOL The kid could play like Larry Graham or whomever you want. That said, he was REALLY a cool dude who we loved. Jamiroquai has NEVER been the same since Stuart left.(nothing against Paul Turner..a STONE GROOVE bass player..but i KNOW that you two KNOW what i mean!) If Stuart were a guest, he could tell us what happened to AZUR! ..and will he ever play with Incognito again..!? Love the channel gentlemen..
In memory of Toby Grafftey-Smith (29 October 1970 - 11 April 2017). The mastermind behind Jamiroquai th-cam.com/video/_qcEZR4A3Uw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Cn9n1VDZYEZAEfEB
You should check out Fred Fortin, he's a great bassist from Quebec. There are amazing basslines in his first solo album "Joseph Antoine Frédéric Fortin Perron" and with one of his band "Galaxie". Definitely an iconic bassist in Quebec!
Those first 2 albums! I've listen to those so much. You just want to be a bass player after hearing that. Those breaks on "Light year"! I spend so much time figure it out in highschool. Another great think is that as a Canadian I discover the band with the 3rd album "Traveling without moving". So, to me, the music just got better and better as I discover what came before it. I kept an eye on Zender after Jamirquai but even if he was still involve in music, I never heard such great bassline and musical moment. My guts tell me that Tobey, and even Jay, were a big part of the composition. Another amazing thing beside the fact that Zender was so young at the time, was that the rest of the band was really young too and the produce their album themselve (with Sony's money). It was their first recording deal. From my experience (and other musician around me) getting into the studio for the first time usually end up trying a lot of thing and delivering a not so great product. But those young guys did it. That whole band was made of incredible individual. I feel like Tobey was the musical genius but everyone was able to pitch in and contributse at an elite level.
@@RookySteedHard to find two more different drummers. Nick has this kind of loose Latin feeling groove while Derrick is the crazy disco robot from the future…
He did have writing credits for the first couple of albums, but then Jay got defensive, and he left because he no longer was given credit. The keyboard player left as well, and I think the drummer shortly after.
After they left the music sounded more like "Jason Kay hired session players" rather than the acid britfunk band of the 90s. Nothing wrong with it, just not the same depth
I keep coming back to this video eventhough I dont even play bass myself. Stuart Zender is the bass player I have ever admired endlessly for over a decades after listening to Jamiroquai alot. In my opinnion he is the best example for myself how basslines really hit tje bottom of the soul. Absolutely amazing!
I remember an old interview with Stuart where IIRC he said his older brother gave him Jaco’s debut album when he started playing bass and he just tried to learn the whole thing by ear as a complete beginner. That seems impossible to me but even if it’s 10% true then it explains how quickly he got good!
@@BarefacedAudio Dude's a prodigy. If he recorded the first Jamiroquai album when he was 18 after only 2 years of playing that story wouldn't surprise me. I've been playing for something like 10 years and I'm not even close to his melodic and technical ability, granted I never practice and just play the same songs over and over.
@@jeremynielsen2282 Yes I recall Black market too. On a BP interview he also said that his ears were already used to "difficult" music prior to learn bass guitar, because his uncle or someone in the family was some classical guitar player... like: "that's difficult music to play, not funky / jazzy bass!!!"
Zender is my fav bass player of all times. His playing was the thing that got me in to bass in the first place. There is just no other like him out there. The true genius of him are the notes that he is NOT playing, and of course the ones that he does are F****** WOW. Thank you Stuart
This video was a lot of fun to watch. This is one band that I did not give enough attention to when they broke out so thanks for sharing. "There are two Bassists I would like to see you share a video on is Stanley Clarke and Michael Manring"❣️🎶
Thanks for this lads ! I've always been a Zender fan. I remember I told my pals that jamiroquai wasn't jamiroquai without Zender. I was wrong of course. I really appreciate this video as he has always been a hero of mine. Thanks for the analysis. 🙂
There are Iconic Bass players no one ever talks about; Robert Wilson of the Gap Band, Stu Hamm, Ant Banks, Richard Bona and John McVey from Fleetwood Mac. Would love to hear your thoughts on these Bass Players.
Though I dont play bass, I fell in love with bass through stuart zender. That is why I watch any vvideo related to him. I know even about the techniques even if i dont play
I hate to be that guy, I love the videos and the playing but Deeper underground is off of the album skynkronised in 1999 😬. I love the video though! 24:40
Just started playing bass in May, then started watching your videos and you guys introduced me to Stuart Zender. I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve been listening to Jamiroquai’s first two albums on repeat. Thank you guys! Love the content
The world needs to know the genius of Misturu Sutoh of T-Square and Voice of Elements! A true giant of Japanese fusion. The way he performs live is especially crazy! Traffic Jam, Explorer, Bad Moon (live with Voice of Elements), Big City (live from Farewell&Welcome 1991), control (natural live) and Polka (live with Voice of Elements) are all examples insane musicianship
total bass noob here, I can't understand half the things you're saying about these bass lines, but I have to say that you guys and your energy and positive vibe are infectious as heck. thanks :)
Stu is the bassist who gave me the flame for bass :). Traveling without moving bass line... popopopoo and all of his bass lines before that !!!! For the 1st album he was playing since 2/3 years and was 18/19 !!! LEGENDARY !! All of the 4th albums basslines are master pieces.
Love it! Was such a fan of them back in the 90s and was listening to Space Cowboy in the car today and then this video drops tonite! So good!!!! Had the fortune to see them in concert back in day as well!
Thank's a lot Scott, for having took the time to make this so intructional video of this absolutly genius of Soul bass groove music! Stuart is my main inspiration with F Rocco Prestia in creating soul/funk bass lines! Once again, thank's to you boths, guys: great job!❤😊👌🙏🙏
Stuart is without question one of the best bass-players ever. As a pioneer, as a virtuos and as a melodic and rhythmic beast. He has it all. Jamiroquai turned into a completely different band when he left. He was defining.
Stuart Zender’s bass lines were the first that I worked out when I started playing bass at the age of about 15. That’s now 30 years ago and I still love them and find myself breaking out scam when I pick up a bass.
Cheers guys! I’ve been waiting for this for sooo long. Stuart’s playing defeats me, utterly. Great to hear it’s even been tough for Scott! In fact a few months back I was pretty hyped about my playing and thought I’d revisit the first couple of Jamiroquai albums (some off my all time favourites) and play along, because I’ve been playing for over 40 years and I can play fast and technical, right? After about 3 songs I just wanted to throw my bass out of the window. I just can’t cop the feel, get the syncopation working. Now I’ll qualify that slightly by saying that I mainly have to play with a pick due to cervical disc damage affecting my right hand fingerstyle, but still. I just cannot do it. Stu is the only bassist who has made me want to give up. The only one. Total genius, and in the funkiest band context. What a band they were. Salutations Stu! Legend! As to what bassists would I like you to pick up on? Leigh “Leroy” Gorman of Bow Wow Wow. Check out Sexy Eiffel Towers, Baby on Mars, Mile High Club, Fools Rush In, Quiver (Arrows In My) etc etc. A total monster and one of my biggest influences. Met him once too, lovely guy.
I can’t believe you didn’t put The Kids on here Scott!!! I learned the whole Space Cowboy album in ‘94 except that song because… you know… impossible. The fact that he keeps up that bass line at that tempo is as you’d say “outrageous!”
Thank you for including Manifest Destiny in here!! Such an amazing melodic bassline that is rarely ever talked about, also i find it so weird that that track is slightly detuned for some reason, making it a little confusing to play along with initially, and Scott really got all the articulation on Stu's playing spot-on, props for that🙏 Honestly i found this was a really complete deep dive into Zender's fantastic bass work on Jamiroquai's first albums, going into many deep cuts in their discography (like Just Another Story, Scam, Deeper Underground) I did want to point out however that you missed a little detail on the Mr. Moon bassline, if you listen closely to the track there's actually a little F# that Zender sneaks in at the end of the line as a way to make it more melodic than just a regular slappin' the octaves kind of bassline Besides that, fantastic video, i hope to see you guys listen to "Music of the Mind" from Jamiroquai's first album some day, absolutely monstrous bass work on that track, Zender channeling Jaco Pastorius but mixed with his own style of playing
I used to own Stu's Boss multieffects... I got it through my contact at Warwick at the time. It had loads of crazy synth, fuzz and envelope filter patches.
@10:48 "I secretly love you." FYI, you're secret's showing, my friend (i.e., it ain't that secret). And yeah, these first two albums are pure fire. I still listened to and obsessed over their future output, but nothing beats these first two albums for me.
I'm not playing and I've never played on the bass but you guys are awesome. I love it. But honestly I also love how on the bass played Louis Johnson from Brothers Johnson, Mr. Thunder thumb. Louis Johnson was real beast on the bass. Greetings.
I still can't believe hey played all these recordings with Streamer bass. For me no one ever sounded with a Warwick like this. Please don't miss understand me but I never succeded in getting such tone out of a Warwick. Greets an thank you!
Awesome but when are you guys inviting Zender to the show?
Yes when
Yes interview him!!
More stuart!!
Oh i'd pay billions to see that
👌
Do it please !
90% of whatever technical ability I have on bass is thanks to learning every tune off of Space Cowboy. A masterclass in syncopation and articulation, and of course the pocket is so deep I lost my keys. Thanks Mr Zender. I credit your exaple and instruction for every gig I have booked since the 90s.
"A pocket so deep, I lost my keys.."
Yessir..
I like that.
Yeah Guys and that is my main Man Kofi on Percussion i have known since late 1960s keeping the African pulse "wid the Funk !"
@@spoontastico trueee
First three records are my greatest albums of all time. Thank you for covering Zender's work.
favorite albums to play along to for me for sure. challenging, fun lines, but still within reach of mere mortals.
@@jahkeeli yes!!! I think the singer went off on his own but kept the name after if I’m remembering correctly..those first 3 albums were the same core band.
🧡🧡🧡
Me too!
Please! Zender as a guest! Every body s wet dream!
Yesss!!!
I would love to see Stu on the show but I dont think I would get that excited 🙂
I sure would be good to hear about what he's been doing. I feel like a great talent was pushed "underground" after he left Jamiroquai
He doesn't seem to interview well...he comes across as quite annoying 😂 and I'm a massive Zender fan.
Stu changed everything for me as a bassist. Mind blown when I first heard his playing.
And the fact that when some of these songs were written, he had only been playing bass 2 years, with that much groove is ridiculous in a very good way
🧡🧡🧡
He's the reason I signed with Warwick.
Stuart Zender lived around the corner from me as a kid and i never knew he would become one of the greatest bass players. I loved listening to too young to die . Was a great bass line to learn as a kid at 14. im glad Scott finally done a piece on him. Great work!
Awesome!!! 🤯🤯 Did you hang with him or learn from/jam with him? 🤔
@@andrewbonica I would have loved to but unfortunately not.
The amazing Nick Van Gelder on drums for the first album plus The Kids from the second album.
The equally incredible Maurizio Ravalico on percussion - super important element, not to be ignored!
The first album is all Streamer 4-string. 2nd album is a mixture of a bunch of basses.
Thanks so much for giving Stu some love. Such an insanely influential player - his exit from the band probably cast a long shadow. What a dude!!
First album could be a Streamer except "When You Gonna Learn" where the bass was recorded by the Brand New Heavies' bassist Andrew Levy.
Yup, absolutely - I forgot about that one. I have recordings of pre-Zender Jamiroquai somewhere (and pre-Jamiroquai Zender!). Super interesting, because some of those grooves were already kinda in place before SZ joined the band. If memory serves, the line on the recorded version of ‘Too Young To Die’ was actually pre-Zender. Stu played the main groove quite differently live.
Example 6.....Manifest Destiny. Thank you guys for finally picking up on this track. This song featured on a Q Magazine cover CD called Assorted....on it was Manifest Destiny and I was blown away by the bassline. I'm not a bass player but I really appreciate top musicianship and this bassline has lingered in my head since I first heard it. I'm surprised that only a certain amount of people have heard the song. The technique, the sound, the bass line itself and the whole song is just stunning. Anyone seeing my comment who hasn't listened to the song in full, please do me and yourself a favour.....please.....go listen to it. Stuart Zender's time in the band was a stand out time for him, and this song shows his talent so well.
I knew as soon as Scott started talking about it what it was going to be. That line is just stunning.
Hah, crazy man, I also had that CD, and had recently started playing Bass - I'd probably heard a couple of Jamiroquai tracks in the background of my life, but not really payed much attention (I was listening to Hendrix and Traffic!). When I heard "Manifest Destiny" on that Q CD I knew they were serious buisiness, Zender becoming one of the biggest influences on my playing, as he remains.
I was just going to give them shit for not covering manifest destiny cause I couldn’t find it on the list, when they pulled into it 😂
Its crazy how good that is, its crazy how beautiful that is, its crazy how they ALL were soo young and its crazy how big their impact was on ppl. you would never expect. Def. one of the greatest Bands in history. I love Jamiroquai.
Stuart doing that after 2-3 years gives hope to us old guys picking bass up later in life.
I'm afraid it definitely doesn't work like that
16 year olds learn much faster, but that guy had some serious musical talent latent in his soul.
Usually those musical geniuses inhaled music as young children (sang or played instruments in their early ages of life, with the proper musical education coming along)
The young mind is gifted with a blank slate to learn all this stuff on and find incredible inspiration, and how often do you think he played in those teenage years? 10 hours a day, probably. At least.
But I do wish older guys the best of luck. If you practice 10 hours a day you can play all this stuff no problem.
Ofc you can, age it self is not a big factor. Time, responsibilities and access to education however can be. Latent talent does not die just because you happen to turn 28, 38 or 68. If you have it you have it, if not, then you have to work harder and there the time available/responsibility calculation might bite you in the butt a bit, price of living the adult life. Also its about the fun of playing music and getting good is in service of that fun, not the end goal. Play with your kids or friends, anyone who would like to play and enjoy smiling stupidly at each other as music happens, it's the best part.
Peace
Everything changed when he left….. And i stop loving band as much as i did without knowing that he left. Greatness of a band in that time. Greatness.
Him, and then Toby
Jamiroquai wasn't as great without them
One could almost say it was a "Stillness in time"!😅
Stuart told me that Jason told him wanted, but didn't know how to articulate it, so Stu played what Jay wanted, but put his own spin on it. Similar to how James Brown used to do with his band. However, there are some basslines that he did write. "High Times" being one of them.
Suart Zender is the legend! Such a great inspiration
💯💯💯
How how how can he be that amazing after 2 years playing !!! FUNK GOAT.
The bonus track on Traveling without Moving, "Funktion", deserves a mention. Zender just smashed that one out of the park.
Here in the States, the bonus track was "Do You Know Where You're Coming From?"
@@woodchuck40 - yep, they had a different bonus track on each of the American, Canadian, British & Australian market editions of the album. Believe International market got a different one as well, but can't remember. I think Funktion is the absolute funkiest jam they have ever recorded!
th-cam.com/video/f_KJsPTLCaU/w-d-xo.html
Great episode. Man, Zender was a riot when Jamiroquai was first out. I was a bass player in a rocknroll band back in 1991-92 and I frankly had no idea what that dude was playing. We would assemble in the pub that we hung out in in the afternoons when there would be no one around and listen to that CD over and over among a number of other contemporary releases and I seriously couldn't understand what he was doing under there. He was so good.
Mr. Zender was my first teen crush (and still is, hehe) and also THE inspiration to start playing bass. The Return of the Space Cowboy is the greatest album of all times
My mate Ian Toothil was a massive fan of SZ.
A seriously good bass player himself, Ian was absolutely loving the combination of musical originality, thát tone, impeccable groove, the ability to really put down the foundations of memorable songs....
Sadly Ian passed away a few years ago, at just 48.
He definitely would've loved to watch this.
I'm almost crying right now. Thank you. Played Stuarts baselines over and over back when is started playing bass. They're beautyful.
These albums were and are still legendary, in so many ways. The bass lines alone would stand on their own, no holds barred though the other parts and lyrics are super relevant and masterful for that time and still today. Me and musician friends were in awe of those arrangements at the time, and still are. Thanks SBL and Ian Martin Allison for covering this unique bassist!!
I was a huge Zender fan back in the 90s and learned all those lines, I will be reviewing your work here 😂. He is my bass spirit animal.
Said it before but, he is the reason I own a 91 streamer stage 1 natural just like Stuart's. I heard him once talking about how he carved a chunk out of the body of his warwick to get better access to fret 24 and he was gutted about it afterwards. He said warwick sorted it for him when he was getting his signature model made. Thanks for doing this video about my hero Stuart Zender.
As a Drummer, this has become my new fav channel! You guys are so likeable and knowledgeable. Kudos gents!
Yep, same here and I'm a guitarist! (Well, I own a bass, but that clearly doesn't make me an *actual* bassist!)
Never say never @@Piplodocus
@@MisbehavingChild I guess I played bass in a band before! But I still don't feel like a bassist because I mostly just play it like I play guitar and feel I should be doing more bass specific things to be a proper bassist. I guess I feel I'd be at least passable at a bit of slap or better at fingerpicking, but then again I can't fingerpick guitar, so maybe I am a bassist, I just don't know anyone else's basslines other than my own!
Stuart was one of my biggest musical influences as a young musician, I picked up the bass because of the huge inspiration the first two Jamiroquai albums were to me. I even played Warwick bass exclusively for years at gigs because of that guy. I learned more about bass, funk, and rhythm than anywhere else just by listening transcribing his tabs and learning to play this iconic tracks. It becomes sort of my style even while playing the guitar. My music is influenced by the band and the player even while I’m at other genres.
I'm glad to see this. I have worked through a few of Zender's basslines in the past and they are so groove heavy and awesome sounding. I'm glad to see that he is getting proper attention for his work
I think it's because at 16, with really no formal training, but just an innate 'feel' for the bass and just playing was why he was soo freaking good with it, even beyond his years! just my opinion.
Facts , he’s just one of those naturally gifted musicians who like u say just have that ‘feel’ that maybe u don’t have if you been formally trained, zender just a G ,as simple as that!
Shout out to the drummers on these records , made Zender sound extra funky!
Nick Van Gelder and Derrick McKenzie are great drummers indeed
Been waiting for you boys to cover this dude, groove technician he is.
Finally!! This one's been a LONG time coming. Streamer stage 1 baby!
It is amazing to see a similar hang out session going down to the same tunes I had with several bass players over 20 years ago. Goes to show music as well as bass playing can be a positive universal language. I haven’t picked up my bass in weeks and this got me to in less than a minute. That’s what I got out of this. Just beautiful guys, thank you!
I can help you guys out with this. What you are missing is the fact that JK and Stu are B-boys. That is whats throwing you off. Its the approach. They both are influenced by 1970s bboy music like just begun. Also if you didnt know, bboy music is and fusion of Afro Cuban, jazz and funk. It is what we break to. And that is the secret.
Stu has been my favorite bassist for over... 20 years. It’s thanks to him that I love the bass so much
Favourite bassist of all time, Scam is awesome, love the bassline and the switch towards the end is awesome. Deeper underground was on synkronized as a bonus track btw not ROTSC, awesome video. Subbed.
Deeper Underground fascinated me, unlike the movie itself haha. It might be the last time I was really into JK's music.
I bought my Warwick Streamer 4 LX (I couldn't make it to the Stage) because I loved SZ and the image of that bass that I still have, like those first Jamiroquai albums, pure acid jazz, pure novelty, pure youth. I spent hours learning by ear to play those beautiful lines! Greetings from Argentina and thanks for all the material and good vibes!
Might be Nick Van Gelder on kit for "Whatever it is, I just can't stop"...
Yes, it was
And in the entire first album. According to the official account he failed to return from a holiday and was replaced by McKenzie.
@@rkk578 seems harsh... 😂
@@robjohnson2761 Yeah a very strict AWOL policy.
Stuart Zender‘s bass lines are just epic! Listening to his playing changed everything for me. ZENDERMAN rules!💪🙏
About 12 years ago I was sitting in the pub when "too young to die" came on the radio. I remembered that bassline from when I was a child, and then enjoyed again as a teenager. I was straight on ebay to buy the closest Bass I could find, and the rest is history!!
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Thank you. I have been a fan of Jamiroquai over 30 years. No one ever mentions Stuart Zender. I am rubbish but picked up a bass because of him
The arpeggio part he plays on Music of the Mind is worth a listen too. Especially when he picks it up in the second half and adds kind of a lead on to the end of each part. It's FAST too and the keeps it up flawlessly for ages. 😮
Totally agree
Absolutely mad work on that track. Been trying to get it up to speed for years, so tough.
I met him at a meet n' greet after the gig in 1997.
Actually, me and my friends met everybody in the band except Jay K..
Go figure! LOL
Anyways, me and a couple of my friends hung out, smoked weed, and talked bass players with Stuart for an hour and a half..
..and let me tell you. It was clear that we were in the presence of genius.
You all were talking about how Stuart was 18 years old and that sucks??!
YES gentlemen. My peeps and i had that moment as well.
CLEARLY, he was a VERY young lad who we would have asked for an I.D for beer.
LOL
The kid could play like Larry Graham or whomever you want.
That said, he was REALLY a cool dude who we loved.
Jamiroquai has NEVER been the same since Stuart left.(nothing against Paul Turner..a STONE GROOVE bass player..but i KNOW that you two KNOW what i mean!)
If Stuart were a guest, he could tell us what happened to AZUR!
..and will he ever play with Incognito again..!?
Love the channel gentlemen..
FINALLY!
Please do one on the great Paul Jackson of the Headhunters
YESSSSS
Oh yeah- spank a lee!
Pfff, but yes Paul is one of the great bass man
Definitely YES!
paul jackson + jaco = stuart zender
I can't describe how much I enjoyed this video being a drummer who is also a devoted Jamiroquai fan. Thank u so much guys. ❤
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Oh man, the entire time I was hoping you were going to play Manifest Destiny. Legendary.
Thanks for playing light years verse, but the chorus is amazing too. phrasing, articulation, space, tasty licks, everything.
Warwick needs a video why it crushes everything!
Nice to see Warwicks finally getting some love on the channel!! Mr Zender must be the reason so many players my age loved the bass. Pure talent.
In memory of Toby Grafftey-Smith (29 October 1970 - 11 April 2017). The mastermind behind Jamiroquai
th-cam.com/video/_qcEZR4A3Uw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Cn9n1VDZYEZAEfEB
Another memorial video for the legend Toby Grafftey-Smith. R.I.P
th-cam.com/video/A4zE3IdlmgE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LPo3ggTLWRkWVWdY
Stuart Zender is my favorite bass player. I learned so much from him.
You should check out Fred Fortin, he's a great bassist from Quebec. There are amazing basslines in his first solo album "Joseph Antoine Frédéric Fortin Perron" and with one of his band "Galaxie". Definitely an iconic bassist in Quebec!
Those first 2 albums! I've listen to those so much. You just want to be a bass player after hearing that.
Those breaks on "Light year"! I spend so much time figure it out in highschool.
Another great think is that as a Canadian I discover the band with the 3rd album "Traveling without moving". So, to me, the music just got better and better as I discover what came before it.
I kept an eye on Zender after Jamirquai but even if he was still involve in music, I never heard such great bassline and musical moment.
My guts tell me that Tobey, and even Jay, were a big part of the composition.
Another amazing thing beside the fact that Zender was so young at the time, was that the rest of the band was really young too and the produce their album themselve (with Sony's money). It was their first recording deal. From my experience (and other musician around me) getting into the studio for the first time usually end up trying a lot of thing and delivering a not so great product.
But those young guys did it. That whole band was made of incredible individual.
I feel like Tobey was the musical genius but everyone was able to pitch in and contributse at an elite level.
4:08 It's actually Nick Van Gelder! Derrick McKenzie joined the band in 1994
Nick is great drummer.
Not the same groove as derrick
@@RookySteedHard to find two more different drummers. Nick has this kind of loose Latin feeling groove while Derrick is the crazy disco robot from the future…
Those 2 first albums made me fall in love with the bass. Zender is so good that he makes you buy a Zingzillas CD just for one song!
He did have writing credits for the first couple of albums, but then Jay got defensive, and he left because he no longer was given credit. The keyboard player left as well, and I think the drummer shortly after.
And then the music went downhill
@@Darko7274 yeah…
After they left the music sounded more like "Jason Kay hired session players" rather than the acid britfunk band of the 90s. Nothing wrong with it, just not the same depth
The keyboardist (Toby Smith) left in 2003. Zender left in early 1999.
The drummer on this era is still playing with them (Derrick mckenzie)
I keep coming back to this video eventhough I dont even play bass myself. Stuart Zender is the bass player I have ever admired endlessly for over a decades after listening to Jamiroquai alot. In my opinnion he is the best example for myself how basslines really hit tje bottom of the soul. Absolutely amazing!
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I remember an old interview with Stuart where IIRC he said his older brother gave him Jaco’s debut album when he started playing bass and he just tried to learn the whole thing by ear as a complete beginner. That seems impossible to me but even if it’s 10% true then it explains how quickly he got good!
Someone else has commented that it was Weather Report - Heavy Weather! That sounds more likely, and still insane…
@@BarefacedAudio Dude's a prodigy. If he recorded the first Jamiroquai album when he was 18 after only 2 years of playing that story wouldn't surprise me. I've been playing for something like 10 years and I'm not even close to his melodic and technical ability, granted I never practice and just play the same songs over and over.
I think it was Black Market instead of Heavy Weather.
@@jeremynielsen2282 Yes I recall Black market too. On a BP interview he also said that his ears were already used to "difficult" music prior to learn bass guitar, because his uncle or someone in the family was some classical guitar player... like: "that's difficult music to play, not funky / jazzy bass!!!"
Zender is my fav bass player of all times. His playing was the thing that got me in to bass in the first place. There is just no other like him out there. The true genius of him are the notes that he is NOT playing, and of course the ones that he does are F****** WOW. Thank you Stuart
This video was a lot of fun to watch. This is one band that I did not give enough attention to when they broke out so thanks for sharing. "There are two Bassists I would like to see you share a video on is Stanley Clarke and Michael Manring"❣️🎶
They've got some Manring stuff on their channel, from a couple of years back.
I somehow had forgotten about "Manifest Destiny" even though I used to own Return of the Space Cowboy. That's a straight-up jazz line. Love it.
This is the guy who started me playing bass, in late 90'
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We are two then.😂
92 was a shock for me , i was 20. Herbie Hancock and zender were my teacher.
Thanks for this lads ! I've always been a Zender fan. I remember I told my pals that jamiroquai wasn't jamiroquai without Zender. I was wrong of course. I really appreciate this video as he has always been a hero of mine. Thanks for the analysis. 🙂
That Warwick Streamer sounds killer.
warwick for acid jazz or just in genersl such an W bass.
They are fantastic basses with a really distinctive 'thing' in their sound!
Stu player a lot of thing with precision bass.
Your Joy with music is contagious
There are Iconic Bass players no one ever talks about; Robert Wilson of the Gap Band, Stu Hamm, Ant Banks, Richard Bona and John McVey from Fleetwood Mac. Would love to hear your thoughts on these Bass Players.
I remember Stu Hamm being everywhere in the early days of TH-cam but he’s kind of fallen out of favor for some reason or another in the bass world
It’s actually John McVie.
I learned all of these lines over 20 years ago and I am so amused to see Scott reliving Stu's lines and seeing Ian react to them!
If you haven't already, do the genius of Mark King of Level 42
Too hard to play!?
🎉😅❤
Soooo good.
I bought last summer my first bass and am learning his basslines 🤘😅
That's awesome!
Best of luck, man
excellent! Have fun with them!!
Thanks, they rally are fun 😊 And fast, still working on the speed 😅
Could have started 30 years ago… 😂
Ian's face when Scott plays Manifest Destiny during the open string 😂. I feel u Ian. It tingles down my spine
0:16 didn't know that Skinny Pete is playing bass :D
That actor is actually a classically trained pianist
He’s done it all, from being a classically trained pianist to one of the greatest hitmen in Mississippi.
Though I dont play bass, I fell in love with bass through stuart zender. That is why I watch any vvideo related to him. I know even about the techniques even if i dont play
I just wish I could like this video more than once. So many hours spent learning these lines as a kid.
I remember hearing what ever it is I just can’t stop when I was 18 in 1994 I can’t believe it’s been 30 yrs!!!!
I hate to be that guy, I love the videos and the playing but Deeper underground is off of the album skynkronised in 1999 😬. I love the video though! 24:40
Exactly! He left after 'Travelling without moving'!
Just started playing bass in May, then started watching your videos and you guys introduced me to Stuart Zender. I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve been listening to Jamiroquai’s first two albums on repeat. Thank you guys! Love the content
Glad you've been enjoying the Zender content!!
The first thing he transcribed was Weather Report - Heavy Weather. Learnt from the master!
Deep in my memory banks, I think it was Black Market rather than Heavy Weather. But it’s deep enough that I may be wrong.
@@jeremynielsen2282 you could be right, I'm working on a 20 year old memory.
Just did a search and you're right it was black market!
I study music and this semester I've been learning some Zender basslines, this video had perfect timing...
Thanks for sharing this! Jamiroquai were never really on my radar, but they and Stuart definitely are now!
The world needs to know the genius of Misturu Sutoh of T-Square and Voice of Elements! A true giant of Japanese fusion.
The way he performs live is especially crazy!
Traffic Jam, Explorer, Bad Moon (live with Voice of Elements), Big City (live from Farewell&Welcome 1991), control (natural live) and Polka (live with Voice of Elements) are all examples insane musicianship
new to playing bass at 49 years old... grew up listening to this magic and one day I hope to be able to play "some" of these songs
Great band. Great bass player. Been at one of their gigs in Düsseldorf in 1993. Such a great time. Thanks for the video. Good fun warching it.
total bass noob here, I can't understand half the things you're saying about these bass lines, but I have to say that you guys and your energy and positive vibe are infectious as heck. thanks :)
Stu is the bassist who gave me the flame for bass :). Traveling without moving bass line... popopopoo and all of his bass lines before that !!!! For the 1st album he was playing since 2/3 years and was 18/19 !!! LEGENDARY !! All of the 4th albums basslines are master pieces.
Love it! Was such a fan of them back in the 90s and was listening to Space Cowboy in the car today and then this video drops tonite! So good!!!! Had the fortune to see them in concert back in day as well!
13:08 i was just thinking how that kind of lick is something i wouldve done when i was 17. You nailed it.
Thank's a lot Scott, for having took the time to make this so intructional video of this absolutly genius of Soul bass groove music! Stuart is my main inspiration with F Rocco Prestia in creating soul/funk bass lines! Once again, thank's to you boths, guys: great job!❤😊👌🙏🙏
Glad you enjoyed it!
Stuart is without question one of the best bass-players ever. As a pioneer, as a virtuos and as a melodic and rhythmic beast. He has it all. Jamiroquai turned into a completely different band when he left. He was defining.
Stuart Zender’s bass lines were the first that I worked out when I started playing bass at the age of about 15. That’s now 30 years ago and I still love them and find myself breaking out scam when I pick up a bass.
Cheers guys! I’ve been waiting for this for sooo long. Stuart’s playing defeats me, utterly. Great to hear it’s even been tough for Scott! In fact a few months back I was pretty hyped about my playing and thought I’d revisit the first couple of Jamiroquai albums (some off my all time favourites) and play along, because I’ve been playing for over 40 years and I can play fast and technical, right? After about 3 songs I just wanted to throw my bass out of the window. I just can’t cop the feel, get the syncopation working. Now I’ll qualify that slightly by saying that I mainly have to play with a pick due to cervical disc damage affecting my right hand fingerstyle, but still. I just cannot do it. Stu is the only bassist who has made me want to give up. The only one. Total genius, and in the funkiest band context. What a band they were. Salutations Stu! Legend!
As to what bassists would I like you to pick up on? Leigh “Leroy” Gorman of Bow Wow Wow. Check out Sexy Eiffel Towers, Baby on Mars, Mile High Club, Fools Rush In, Quiver (Arrows In My) etc etc. A total monster and one of my biggest influences. Met him once too, lovely guy.
This Guy is the reason why I play bass today. Awesome bass groove!
I can’t believe you didn’t put The Kids on here Scott!!! I learned the whole Space Cowboy album in ‘94 except that song because… you know… impossible. The fact that he keeps up that bass line at that tempo is as you’d say “outrageous!”
Thank you for including Manifest Destiny in here!! Such an amazing melodic bassline that is rarely ever talked about, also i find it so weird that that track is slightly detuned for some reason, making it a little confusing to play along with initially, and Scott really got all the articulation on Stu's playing spot-on, props for that🙏
Honestly i found this was a really complete deep dive into Zender's fantastic bass work on Jamiroquai's first albums, going into many deep cuts in their discography (like Just Another Story, Scam, Deeper Underground)
I did want to point out however that you missed a little detail on the Mr. Moon bassline, if you listen closely to the track there's actually a little F# that Zender sneaks in at the end of the line as a way to make it more melodic than just a regular slappin' the octaves kind of bassline
Besides that, fantastic video, i hope to see you guys listen to "Music of the Mind" from Jamiroquai's first album some day, absolutely monstrous bass work on that track, Zender channeling Jaco Pastorius but mixed with his own style of playing
I used to own Stu's Boss multieffects... I got it through my contact at Warwick at the time. It had loads of crazy synth, fuzz and envelope filter patches.
Whoa what. A great story. ❤ what model boss multieffects did he use ?
@@spacesloth6496 It was a Boss ME-8B. I wish I still had it, It got stolen from my bands rehearsal room about 15 years ago
Zender nailed it, more than anything he made great records that can be enjoyed as proper and complete music, one of the last greats of the old days
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Genius bass player and genius breakdown video! Thanks for sharing this. Reminded me why I love these 2 albums and why I love playing bass!
@10:48 "I secretly love you." FYI, you're secret's showing, my friend (i.e., it ain't that secret).
And yeah, these first two albums are pure fire. I still listened to and obsessed over their future output, but nothing beats these first two albums for me.
I'm not playing and I've never played on the bass but you guys are awesome.
I love it.
But honestly I also love how on the bass played Louis Johnson from Brothers Johnson, Mr. Thunder thumb. Louis Johnson was real beast on the bass.
Greetings.
Awesome. Stuart Zender such a talented player! And yes, that is one of the most tasteful bass intros ever!
I still can't believe hey played all these recordings with Streamer bass. For me no one ever sounded with a Warwick like this. Please don't miss understand me but I never succeded in getting such tone out of a Warwick. Greets an thank you!
The line in the intro to Just Another Story is utterly outrageous.
What other bass hero needs to be showcased because he made the bass(role) something else, so special, so touching? MICK KARN❣️
Yeah Karn was very special too
I’ve been waiting FOR YEARS for a video like this. I Learned to play bass coz of him. He’s a monster player. Please invite him!!