“Rubberband Man” - Bob Babbitt
Bob Babbitt — The Spinners (1976)
Album: Happiness Is Being with the Spinners
Bob Babbitt’s bassline on “The Rubberband Man” is one of the great showcases of groove personality in 1970s soul — elastic, playful, rhythmically alive, and still completely grounded. This is Babbitt at his most expressive within a dance-centric track, crafting a line that moves with bounce and character while never losing the deep-pocket clarity that defined his Motown-era playing. For Working Pro players, this transcription highlights how to combine rhythmic creativity with ensemble discipline.
The Line — Elastic, Melodic, and Full of Character
Babbitt shapes the groove around buoyant, spring-like figures that mirror the song’s theme and hook. The line mixes short rhythmic cells, melodic lifts, and occasional syncopated pickups that add personality without pulling focus away from the vocals or rhythm section.
There’s a lot of motion here — but all of it is intentional. He builds a line that feels fun, animated, and hook-oriented while keeping the harmony and time absolutely clear.
Pocket + Feel — Bouncy, Deep, and Forward-Moving
The feel of this track is lighter and more upbeat than some of Babbitt’s smoother soul ballads. He sits right in the middle of the pocket, but with a playful lift at the front of the note — a slight anticipation that gives the line its bounce.
This controlled “springiness” is the engine of the entire track.
For Working Pro players, this teaches the difference between:
rushed vs. lifted
pushed vs. energized
Babbitt’s placement is a masterclass in how to energize a groove without destabilizing it.
Note Length + Articulation — Tight, Punchy, and Rhythmic
To get the rubber-band feel across, Babbitt shapes his articulation around short front-end attacks and quick releases. His touch is snappy but never harsh — warm enough to blend with the arrangement, precise enough to cut through the busy rhythmic environment of the track.
It’s the articulation that makes this bassline dance.
Harmonic Movement — Clear, Supportive, and Clever
Even with all the groove personality, Babbitt stays harmonically grounded. His lines outline the changes with strong chord tones and smooth transitions, allowing the harmonic movement to feel effortless beneath a very active rhythm section.
He incorporates small chromatic approaches and voice-leading ideas, but they’re always functional — always in service of making the groove lift.
Interaction With the Band — Groove Conversation, Not Commentary
The drums, claps, and percussion create an infectious rhythmic grid. The guitars and keys add layered syncopation. Babbitt weaves between these elements without ever getting in the way — his rhythmic ideas enhance the band’s motion rather than competing with it.
The key is that his “rubberband” motifs are consistent. They repeat enough to feel thematic, making the bassline part of the song’s identity.
Working Pro principle:
Personality is powerful when it’s controlled.
Babbitt proves that a bassline can be full of character, bounce, and rhythmic flair without ever losing clarity or compromising the groove.
Shed Like A Pro
Hear every detail. Feel every nuance.
This isolated bass track gives you full access to the clarity, articulation, and pocket of the original performance—without the rest of the band masking the subtleties. Shed with the exact phrasing, dynamics, note length, and feel that define master-level bass playing.
Step into the band. Fill the chair.
This minus-bass version of the original recording places you directly in the bassist’s role—same mix, same energy, same interaction, with the entire ensemble responding to your time, feel, and sound.