Toppa Top 10: Reggae’s Greatest Bassists

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 +1 +2 +3
June 11, 2014

Honorebel Mention
+2: Ian Lewis

inner-circle-bass-live

Inner Circle has been making reggae music for almost 40 years—and founding member/bassist Ian Lewis has been the glue the whole way, laying down the groove on ubiquitous hits like “Bad Boys” and “Sweat (A La La La La Long),” and Jacob Miller’s classic “Tenement Yard.” Known as the Fatman Riddim Section, Ian and his guitarist brother Roger have led Inner Circle through many incarnations, from playing Jamaica’s tourist circuit to the backing band for the rebellious Miller to creators of international pop hits.

Based in Florida since the early ’80s, the group has continued to record and perform, and in 1998 opened Circle House Studios in Miami, one of the United States’ most top flight recording facilities. Check out an early incarnation of Third World working out “Forward Ever” with Jacob Miller in the documentary Roots Rock Reggae, followed by an interview with Lewis alongside our next reggae bassist…