It’s been some time since I’ve seen one from those days, but it that looks like one of the first generation Smiths from the early ’80's when Vinnie Fodera and Ken were working together in Brooklyn, prior to Vinnie opening his own company. It features the original large brass control plate with what, (if memory serves), featured a volume control, a switch or two, and a three band EQ, along with what became the standard body shape and readily recognizable headstock design. I’ll take a wild guess and propose that the single pickup on this bass was one of the initial run made for Smith by Bill Lawrence.
I was building and repairing instruments in New York City at that time, but never did any major work on Smith basses as the local players could just as easily bring them back to Ken before he headed west. I did however purchase a few exotic hardwood tops from Ken, and considered Vinnie to be a courteous, considerate, enthusiastic, generous, and classy compatriot.
On an ancillary note, one of my best buddies from high school, Phil Field became a member of Mtume’s band a year or so after this video was made, and worked with him for several years, earning songwriting credit on several compositions beginning with the Juicy Fruit album, and continuing until James Mtume dissolved the group.
I concur with Divid Houck, that the bassist in the video is Basil Fearrington.
