That band Rothko were only bass players? Something like that. Ambient stuff, should appeal to peeps who like more contemporary stuff like on Kranky or whatever.
The Meters'
Just Kissed My Baby has my favourite bassline. George Porter Jr is the player in question.
Whoever played bass on the Real Rock riddim needs a knighthood. Most versioned riddim ever.
Armagiddeon Time, as covered by The Clash, is probably where most non-reggae fans hear it.
The Beatles'
Tax Man and
Come Together. First song on Ride's 'Nowhere' basically lifts
Tax Man wholesale, and is awesome.
Something absolutely slays me about Sly & The Family Stone's
If You Want Me To Stay as well... it's after their more famous bassplayer (the guy who invented slap) had quit. I mean, mainly I just love the song, but there's a really weird feel to it.
Pino Palladino all over D'Angelo's 'Voodoo' - the way Questlove plays the beats really, really straight and Pino pushes the timing is great.
One Mo 'Gin is one I really love, likewise
Chicken Grease, even the cover of
Feel Like Making Love. Palladino's so versatile... plays with The Who now, had his first round of massive influence doing that wandering stuff on hits by Paul Young, etc. back in the 80s.