30 Amazing slap funk Bass lines

Mark King was a huge influence on me as a teenager starting out on the bass. I must have spent weeks/months in my bedroom practicing and trying to figure out what he played. Here are 30 of his classic bass lines that I’ve pieced together to make a 15 minute Slap/Funk Bass Odyssey. I start out at 122 bpm and speed up to 131 bpm about half way through. I think I’ve got most of it right? Maximum respect to Mark King, a true Legend, and of course the other members of Level 42. These guys were the soundtrack of My youth.

[pickler_pickler]

I didn't think humans had evolved to this level of funk

[KBlackz]

This sounds like the best Sonic the Hedgehog level of all time.

[wolvie]

I challenge you to listen to this without nodding your head to the beat. I sure as hell couldn't.

[fabriziovincitorio]

How mr King can play this lines singing at the same time is a mistery of the universe

[urbanbednarski]

1986-1989, Poland, The Berlin Wall still there, a small casette recorder, bass guitar and hours of playing along, no tabs, no sheet music available, and I succeded! Thank God I had completed my music scholl education as a violinist, that wa a great help. We started our gigs with a live reprise of "Almost There" from the Wembley Live, then we played "Kansas City Milkman", "Eyes Waterfalling", "Lessons in Love"and lots more. I sang as well so I became a local Mark King. At that time in a small town in Poland we were Funk Rock Gods! Many thanks for bringing it back in this clip and many thanks for that great Tribute To Mark King and Level 42, one of the best funk masters in the world!

[simonettaferrara]

Even a metal rocker guitar player like me cannot love the bass slap and the Level 42 tracks.
I listened to "A Physical presence" 1000 times
Mark KIng is a monster!

[francoismarchand]

Excellent rhythmic precision and sound control, kudos. Bass teacher as well, here. I'm impressed.

[george]

Great walking lines...something King is not given credit for but his melodies are sublime..Great rendition

[alextwjf]

Insanely good; not only technique galore but tons of musicality as well; just bliss to hear and see. Hats off

[cgcgce]

Finally a slapper who actually plays a ARE THE BEST MY FRIEND, AND AN INSPIRATION THANKS!

[TomiTakamaa]

Just imagine playing almost all of these WHILE SINGING at the same time.

[gnramon]

listen to it twice a day! its food to my soul!

[backslash]

Damn. This video makes me realize even more how much of a genius Mark King is. I mean, he plays all those amazing lines and he also sings lead over them.

[artbyvince]

Excellent play of Mark king's Level 42 bass lines! I listen to this as a whole thing as a song in itself. Great jam!

[renejrhodes]

What an underrated Band Level 42 is. Love them. And Mark goes from King of Slap to Jaco like finger style lines.

[benmaffin]

Literally the most funky thing I've heard on YouTube. Good work.

[stevethompson]

I'm a massive Level 42 fan and I have to say you are awesome sir

[rainbowrockettv]

Hands down - my new favourite YouTube video. Jesus Christ... I will now mark my life in two parts. ‘Before I found this video’ and ‘after I found this video’.

[jameswhite]

Without any doubt at all the best mark king bassist on youtube- perfection! Absolutely brilliant! A joy to watch.

[triv]

You're a real talent and it just goes to show how innovative Mark was, far ahead of his time and so accomplished