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Archive for April 2009 - Page 6

Bass Gear

Obbligato releases Turnstyle amp modeler for P-Bass

As a follow up to Obbligato’s bass modeling system for Jazz basses, the company is releasing the P-Bass version of their passive analog modeling system, the Turnstyle. The Turnstyle uses the magnetic pickup on the bass and rotary switch so bass players can select from five different tones. No modifications are required. The Turnstyle is stock friendly. The Turnstyle includes...

New Albums

Crimson Jazz Trio: King Crimson Songbook, Vol. 2 [new release]

The Crimson Jazz Trio, featuring the fretless bass work of Tim Landers, has released King Crimson Songbook, Vol. 2. The Trio formed in 2005 after drummer Ian Wallace came up with the idea and Landers agreed to record and perform their first release (Landers recorded and engineered “Vol. 2”). These guys clearly have a thing for King Crimson, and frankly,...

Events

Les Claypool announces Summer 2009 festivals

We don’t imagine Les Claypool sleeps much. He’s just announced a series of summer camps, taking place May through July. Summer Camp Festival is the ninth installment of the festival, and runs May 22-24, 2009 at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL. Over 50 bands on 4 stages will perform during the three days of the festival. The festival also...

Events

Markbass launches video contest

Bass amp manufacturer Markbass just launched a video contest on Youtube. If you own a Markbass rig and perform live, you’re pretty much eligible to enter for a chance to win a MoMark amp with the features of your choice. Official rules from Markbass: Video must be of a live performance. In other words, in front of an audience. The...

Events

Monterey Jazz Festival to feature Stanley Clarke and Esperanza Spalding

The schedule for the 52nd annual Monterey Jazz Festival is set, with performances by Stanley Clarke and bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding announced. The festival will be held from September 18-20, 2009 at the Monterey Fairgrounds in Monterey, California For more information and tickets, call 925-275-9255 or visit the festival’s web site.

Crazy Bass: The Spaceman Dominator
Bass Videos

Crazy Bass: The Spaceman Dominator

We’ve covered Spaceman and his unusual bass creations before. Here’s one from the archives: the Spaceman “Dominator” Aluminum 6-String Fretless Bass The Dominator is a full-length, 6-string aluminum bass guitar with an active EMG pickup, mounted above the strings.

New Albums

Tower of Power: Great American Soulbook [new release]

Tower of Power, anchored by the legendary Rocco Prestia on bass released their newest album today. Great American Soulbook takes the band in a slightly new direction, with a collection of classic soul tunes with a Tower of Power twist. The album was produced by Emilio Castillo, the band’s founder and leader since 1968, and George Duke and features guest...

New Albums

Bruford Levin Upper Extremities Re-Released

Bruford Levin Upper Extremities (B.L.U.E.), a group including bassist Tony Levin, Bill Bruford on drums, David Torn on guitar and Chris Botti on trumpet, formed after recording Torn’s 1987 Cloud About Mercury release. B.L.U.E.’s 1999 release, Bruford Levin Upper Extremities, out of print for some time, is being re-released today. Here’s about the only video you’ll find of the group,...

Bass Gear

Ibanez goes pro with the Promethean Pro bass amp

Ibanez Electronics demoed their new Promethean Pro bass amp line at Winter NAMM 2009 with the help of bassist Rufus Philpot. The new amps will once again be on display for their unveiling at Summer NAMM in Nashville, this July. The P5110 Promethean Combo includes a 10″ woofer and detachable 250 watt head and lists for $933.32. The P500H 250-watt...

New Albums

Adam Nitti: Liminal [new release]

Bassist, producer and music educator Adam Nitti has just released his fourth album, Liminal, a collection of jazz, funk, R&B, rock and blues tunes written, arranged and produced by Nitti. Nitti’s supporting cast includes Marco Sfogli and Tom Quayle on guitar, Alex Argento on keys, and Marco Minnemann on drums. Other musicians making appearances include Jeff Coffin on tenor sax,...

News

Stevie Wonder live with Reggie McBride: 1974 sound board

Stevie Wonder’s live board recording from a 1974 performance in London has found its way online, featuring the smoking bass lines of Reggie McBride. We’ll let the music do the talking: check out Aquarium Drunkard’s post. Big tip of the hat to Brian Fox at Bass Player.

Victor Wooten Improvs “Yesterday”
Bass Videos

Victor Wooten Improvs “Yesterday”

Bassist James Ross sends us this video of him hanging out with Victor Wooten doing some improv to The Beatles’ “Yesterday” during rehearsal at The Pageant in St. Louis. Nice.