How do you describe the groove?
From where I stand, the groove begins with bass and drums. In Slave, either [drummer] Steve Arrington or I would start a groove and it would inspire the rest of the band. That was the only way we knew how to do what we did; we seldom planned a groove. It was spontaneous.
How do you cultivate the groove?
What I do is listen for the spice between the hi-hat, snare, and foot-the overall ambience and the subliminal sounds.
How do you enhance the groove?
I've been fortunate in Slave that the band has always given me space to be a melody instrument and to lead the groove. I talk through my bass and step forward like a lead singer riffing; I'm constantly in freestyle mode. Steve calls it "annointing bass." I also look at my bass like a drum kit, using my thumb for the kick and my pops for the snare-like Larry Graham does. That's what I did on "Just a Touch of Love" [from Just a Touch of Love, Cotillion]. I don't know how Slave grooves like it does. It's hard to put into words, but it will always be in us.