1st Bassman

*1st Bassman* is the second of two LPs Paul Chambers recorded for the African-American-run Vee-Jay label, a Gary, Indiana-based operation that dealt mainly with blues, gospel, and R&B. On the verge of embarking on his own adventurous solo work, tenor player Yusef Lateef penned all five songs for *1st Bassman*, and his unusual compositional style is reflected in the jumping structure and suspended groans of “Melody” and “Mopp Shoe Blues.” Even as Lateef provides the material for this horn-heavy unit (including Tommy Turrentine on trumpet, and Curtis Fuller on trombone), Chambers leaves no doubt as to who is guiding the session. The live, slightly rough-hewn feel of the recording offers his bass front seat, and his sparking style provides the juice on the standout “Bass Region.” On “Retrogress” Chambers is able to whip the rhythm of the song while simultaneously exploring a solo figure. The album is the result of a kinetic exchange between its six featured musicians, but its benediction comes with Chambers’ mournful bowed solo on the parting song “Blessed.”

As a lead instrument in jazz, the acoustic bass was in many ways liberated by Paul Chambers, and paved the way for many others to follow.