[quote name='Mykesbass' post='770870' date='Mar 10 2010, 08:11 PM']I know this is always going to be SO subjective, but I'm of the opinion that "feel" really counts when all the other elements are not there - someone just holding down a really simple I V or a walking bass but making it sound just right and being "in the pocket. So far, it's the reggae examples (plus Zappa) that are doin it for me - not to take anything away from the groove based examples but perhaps in those cases the feel is not the key element.[/quote]
I always see feel as the bass player chucking his all into what he's playing - be that riffs, or whatever. This is why I posted a Lightning Bolt tune - the bass player (the band is just him and a drummer) puts in 100%. Simple enough riffs perhaps, but it's the overall feel and drive that makes it work.