Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
Bass: William “Bootsy” Collins
James Brown with The J.B.’s — Recorded April 25, 1970
Single: Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine (King Records)
Released in 1970 on King Records, “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” marked a defining moment in the evolution of funk. The bassist on the recording was Bootsy Collins, whose aggressive attack, sharp articulation, and tightly syncopated feel helped usher in a new era of rhythm-driven music.
Built around a repetitive, hypnotic groove, the track shifts focus almost entirely to rhythm and pocket. Bootsy’s bassline is lean, percussive, and deeply locked with the drums, emphasizing downbeats while leaving deliberate space between phrases. The feel is urgent but controlled, with short, punchy notes that function as both timekeeping and rhythmic counterpoint.
Unlike harmony-heavy soul recordings of the previous decade, this track thrives on minimal chord movement and maximum groove intensity. The bass becomes a rhythmic engine, driving the band forward while reinforcing James Brown’s vocal commands and call-and-response structure.
For bassists, this recording is essential study in funk articulation, pocket discipline, and how repetition, precision, and confidence can define an entire musical movement.
Take it to The Shed Studio and lock in the time, tone, and feel before bringing it up to tempo.
Listen to the interview with James Brown’s Bassist : Fred Thomas
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