This is a questioned posted on the Harmony Central forum: 

“ I don’t want to sound like a prick….but it seems like, no matter who I play with, everything chugs along really well when I’m playing rhythm: bass and drums lock in, we’re swinging along well, even the mostly sober people are dancing or clapping to the beat, the groove is clear-cut and obvious, 2nd guitar or keys are doing fine alongside.Until I take a solo: suddenly the bass and drums get lost, or a little fuzzy, within 8 or 16 bars. I used to think it was the people I’ve played with, but now I’m not so sure…..I’ve played/jammed/sat in with a lot of people, and this phenomena seems to occur around me way too much with semi-pro, steadily gigging players.”

 My response:

It is important to have a great drummer and great bass player.  If these two are really doing their job then you’ll sound like Van Halen!  A great rhythm section should make it easy to solo, switch from chords to riffs, sing and play, or completely drop out.  The song should still rock (groove) whether you are playing or not.  A great drummer and bass player may not be the flashiest chops players.  They just need to be very proficient at making the song sound good and supporting the rest of the instruments and vocalist.  They need to know the song arrangement inside and out.  Find the right rhythm section and your problems will evaporate.