Bob Babbitt was one of only two white musicians among the core of 13 session men in Motown’s legendary studio group The Funk Brothers.

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Basslines #10: Bernard Edwards is the man behind a bassline that surely deserves that most overused of adjectives – “iconic” – and Good Times is arguably the first song I think of (alongside I Feel Love) when I hear the word disco.

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Basslines #9: Robbie Shakespeare was widely regarded as the king of reggae bass guitarists, usually as one half of the “Riddim Twins” with drummer Sly Dunbar.

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Basslines #7: John Gustafson plays the iconic intro to Roxy Music’s last great single, Love Is The Drug – but he was never officially in the band.

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Basslines #6: “The incomparable James Jamerson,” as he was first credited on this album’s sleeve notes, was the beating heart of Motown’s house band The Funk Brothers. Even when he was blind drunk.

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Basslines #5: Peter Hook’s basslines with Joy Division don’t just anchor the songs – they often provide the lead melody.

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I’m not going to present a case to reappraise the underrated musical genius of Captain Sensible, but this bassline is iconic.

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Paul Young – Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)

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I love the infectious Afrobeat vibe of the music on this summery tribute Tony Allen by jazz ensemble Ezra Collective and rapper Kojey Radical.

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Lee Perry’s song Dreadlocks In Moonlight was originally intended for Bob Marley & The Wailers – until a chance meeting at his studio in Jamaica.

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