I Can Dig It Baby

R’n’B guitarist Willie Hale – better known as “Little Beaver” – worked as a session musician for TK Records in Miami before stepping out for a solo career. 1974’s Party Down is of interest to us because one of the tracks featured a young Florida bassist who was credited as Nelson ‘Jocko’ Padron, who within a year would join Weather Report and redefine the bass guitar with his debut solo album:

Little Beaver — I Can Dig It Baby

“I Can Dig It Baby” bass performance notes

I enjoyed Jaco’s playing on this tune so much that I did a deep dive on some of the key elements of his style that really shine through in the bassline:

Little Beaver — I Can Dig It Baby