20 Legendary Flabba Holt Bass Lines

When it comes to Reggae Bass, Flabba Holt is the master of simplicity and groove. Flabba Holt and the Roots Radics band ruled the airwaves between 80 and 83. Here's 20 bass lines to keep you Riddim uppers busy. Who can name the tracks?

If you found this video helpful , a coffee will keep me going for another week.

[Dilonious]

Had the honor of seeing Flabba play this weekend. Roots Radics was backing Israel Vibration. Looked like Flabba was playing a Steinberger bass (no headstock, square body). What a beast! A true living legend.

[andybowlin]

1. Hugh Mondell- Jaqueline
2. Freddie McGregor- Big Ship
3.
4. Sammy Dread- Rainy Days
5.
6. Johnny Osbourne- Love is Universal
7. Eek a Mouse- Noahs Ark
8. Freddie McKay- Another Weekend
9.
10.
11. John Holt- Police in Helicopter
12. Anthony Johnson- Gun Shot
13. Wayne Jarrett- Love in a mi heart
14. Cultural Roots- Thieves Liars Criminals
15.
16. Wailing Souls- Fire House Rock
17. Frankie Paul- Worries in the dance
18.
19.
20.

That’s all I can figure out. Man help me out with 3, 10, 20 I can’t put my figure on the names of those ones… flabba number 1

[lsabbamusic]

The thought put into these transitions is unbelievable, phenomenal playing and phenomenal video

[Neil-qfdf]

I'm just starting to realize it's not just the notes but it is also the timing that gives it the reggae feel, i gotta experiment with this.

[svarionare]

Oh my god this is a mine of gold and ganja!

[jahlloyd]

Nicely done! Flabba Holt to the World.

[TrendBazaarHQ]

Top Salute yeah yeah, oooh Mr Bassman you a soulman

[siliconcarne]

Oh Yes! Thanks for another fantastic video! I think I have nearly all of them in my record collection but still I could only name a handful... (1) Hugh Mundell - Jacqueline / (4) John Holt - Sweety Come Brush Me / (6) Johnny Osbourne - Love is Universal / (9) John Holt - Police In Helicopter / (16) Wailing Souls - Fire House Rock / (17) Frankie Paul - Worries In The Dance

[donstrumental]

Apologies to anyone who downloaded the file and didn't get the PDF. It's there now.

[edmonddantes]

Thanks for those master pieces of reggae bass line, Flabba is definitly a master of bass, and one of my fav now (thanks to you Don), has his own creative , such a great pleasure to better discover all the subtleties, Don you rocks !

[Matt-isqj]

There's a lot to chew on for such a short video. Thanks Don, good stuff as always.

[Stickx]

Thank you for sharing mi breda. My band Lightcode opened for the Roots Radics band here in Eugene Oregon last Friday. It was such a pleasure to see them live for the first time. Flabba was wonderful.

[RawfodoG]

Watched a video on youtube about Flabba. He used his thumb on all his lines. It was fun trying to work out what he was saying. Good job it was subtitled. Loved every minute of it.

[arghapirate]

Love you vid and I keep returning to it, but I did not hear my favorite Flabba bass line. It's the one from Get up and Go <3

[trevorblair]

Thank you, Don! These are riddims are gems! 🙏🏿😊🇯🇲

[cgraysonsmith]

Amazing! This is my study material for the next year...I appreciate so much what you have shared with us!

[bboutjam]

Ten thousand thanks for the flood of recent videos Don! I will be studying these basslines for weeks.

[ngolinyirenda]

Flabba was such a wonderful Legend to meet, within minutes we were singing riddims and just reasoning at Juicy's Jamaican restaurant inA and at shows around town where I played in the opening band.

[strumbolli]

I love Flabba and Style Scott. Some classic dancehall riddims there ..Johnny Osbourne and Wailing Souls in there to of my faves !! Yes, Don all these are "must knows!"

[mLnski]

Bassline 20 is really something! Looked up and down for it, but haven't had any luck.