A new video clip posted by Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe captures a candid conversation between Denson and drummer Robert “Sput” Searight in which they marvel at the unique and surprisingly funky playing of late Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh.

“Man he is funky!” Sput exclaims at the start of the video before reminding Denson of a time they played together with Lesh. “You had him sit in on like two songs and then we played two of his songs,” he recalls.

“He was mad funky,” Karl Denson agrees.

“He was killing!” Sput adds. “I was so shocked that it was that funky. You turned back and you was like, ‘That’s funky!'”

Related: Hear Phil Lesh Play Trumpet With His College Jazz Band In Earliest Known Recording

Lesh’s signature style was defined by his sense of unbridled freedom. Most bass players find a bass line or pattern and stick to it, but Lesh rarely repeated himself, instead floating freely around the fretboard, making it up as he went yet somehow always providing a solid foundation with his sophisticated sense of harmony and groove.

“The fact that he was that creative all the time…” Denson marvels.

“He never stayed in the pocket! He just was moving, but for some reason it was working,” Sput reflects, articulating what many have noticed and struggled to understand about Lesh’s playing.

“The ‘for some reason it’s just working part’ is still baffling,” commented Disco Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner. “Always moving. But it works.”

Though he is no longer with us, it is obvious that Lesh’s singular style will continue to impress, confound, and inspire for many years to come. He is a shining example of someone who found and embraced his own voice rather than trying to imitate others, which is the mark of a truly great musician.

Watch Karl Denson and Robert “Sput” Searight reflect on Phil Lesh below.