Simon Ratcliffe

Vocals: Marvin Gaye


So tender and passionate. He's someone who really makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.


Guitarist: Stevie Ray Vaughan


He was an electric guitar blues player. You can hear what he's doing as his playing isn't messy. He had a beautiful tone.


Drums: Buddy Rich


Such an amazing jazz drummer. I'd have him because he played like a maniac. I like stuff that's quite full on. He was a bit of a nutter, and played like one. He was full of power, speed and intensity.


Keyboards: George Duke


He was in Frank Zappa's band but has also done solo stuff. He's a proper musician, very accomplished. He was a bit of a pioneer with synthesisers in the '70s. He could also do backing vocals because he's got a beautiful voice.


Percussion: Airto Moreira


He's a legendary percussionist. We did a track with him in '96 and he came in and played drums and percussion. When he ran out of things to play he picked up a box of tambourines. He's a real, proper man; a bit of a caveman in a way.


Basement Jaxx play the Olympia, Dublin, on Tuesday and Wednesday.


As told to Gillian Orr