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Archive for August 2015 - Page 5

Bass Lick Series: A7?9 Chord Bass Groove with Legato Fill
Bass Lick Series

Bass Lick Series: A7?9 Chord Bass Groove with Legato Fill

The A7?9 chord (referred to by some as the “Jimi Hendrix” chord) is a useful chord to know since you can play both the minor and Major pentatonic over it. Here’s a groove using mostly a minor pentatonic fill in the end, with lots slides, hammerons and pullofs so we get a fluid motion. For the gear heads, I’m playing...

Michel Falcão: Bach’s Sonata No. 1 in G Minor
Bass Videos

Michel Falcão: Bach’s Sonata No. 1 in G Minor

Transferring Johann Sebastian Bach’s music to the electric bass is always an interesting feat. Here’s an outstanding clip of Michel Falcão pulling out all the stops on the composer’s Sonata No. 1 in G Minor.

Iron Maiden Releases First New Single in Five Years
News

Iron Maiden Releases First New Single in Five Years

Prepare to up the irons: Iron Maiden has released their first new music in five years. “Speed of Light” is the first single from the band’s upcoming album, The Book of Souls, which is due out September 4th. Of course, the legendary Steve Harris provides his snarling bass lines to the album in addition to writing contributions on seven of...

MBS Effects Introduces Parallel Universe Bass Blender
Pedals & Effects

MBS Effects Introduces Parallel Universe Bass Blender

MBS Effects has released the Parallel Universe Bass Blender, a pedal they describe as a parallel mixer that allows you to mix your dry signal with the pedals placed on its effects loop. The Blend feature has become more popular on many new pedals, but the Parallel Universe allows for blending with older pedals or with multiple pedals. “Doing this,...

Bass of the Week: RG Custom Basses Pathos
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: RG Custom Basses Pathos

Bassist Sam Battaglino shared some details of his new RG Custom Basses Pathos on a Facebook group called Best Boutique Basses, and it stopped me in my tracks. The left-handed bass features a neck-through design with solid spalted Ambrosia maple body wings that give it a raw, organic, and yet refined aesthetic. Its five-piece neck brings together spalted Ambrosia maple...

Bassbaba Sumon and Mahaan Fahim: Cream & Sugar Under the Coffee Cloud
Bass Videos

Bassbaba Sumon and Mahaan Fahim: Cream & Sugar Under the Coffee Cloud

Bassbaba Sumon sent me this video with two words attached: “From Bangladesh”. I’ve said it before: “I love the web”. The way we can connect with talented musicians all over the world now is so cool. And this is some terrific music, written by Bassbaba and performed by him and guitarist Mahaan Fahim. The changing scenery throughout the video makes...

Vail Johnson Releases “The Seventh Son”
New Albums

Vail Johnson Releases “The Seventh Son”

Session bass ace Vail Johnson has returned with The Seventh Son, a thirteen-song album that brings together several genres to create a style the bassist calls “JazzAmericana.” Johnson, whose has worked with artists from Herbie Hancock to Whitney Houston, fuses country, blues, R&B, folk, and jazz for an eclectic yet cohesive sound. “This mix of originals and covers of timeless...

Weekly Top 10: Moving on from the Blues Scale, The Best Bass Videos, New Gear and More
Weekly Top 10

Weekly Top 10: Moving on from the Blues Scale, The Best Bass Videos, New Gear and More

Time to roll out the best from the world of bass – this week’s top 10 most read stories/most watched videos. Enjoy! 1. Herbie Hancock with Tal Wilkenfeld: Actual Proof Herbie Hancock has never been short on great bassists to play with over his career. Here’s a killer clip of his band being anchored by Tal Wilkenfeld on “Actual Proof”...

“Jaco’s World” with Felix Pastorius, Robert Trujillo & Will Lee Live at Hollywood Bowl
Bass Videos

“Jaco’s World” with Felix Pastorius, Robert Trujillo & Will Lee Live at Hollywood Bowl

On August 12th, an all-star lineup gathered at the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate the music of Jaco Pastorius. The event also included clips from Robert Trujillo’s documentary on Jaco. Brian James was in the audience and captured some of the show for the rest of us to enjoy. This clip starts off with Jaco’s son Felix Pastorius impressing the audience...

Bullet For My Valentine Releases Fifth Album, Touring with New Bassist
New Albums

Bullet For My Valentine Releases Fifth Album, Touring with New Bassist

Welsh metal band Bullet For My Valentine has released its fifth studio album, Venom. Frontman Matt Tuck handled bass on the record, which is the group’s first following the departure of longtime bassist Jason “Jay” James. The album deliberately shies away from any melodic or pop sounds, Tuck said. “We wanted to keep this as dark as possible. It was...

Josh Cohen: Alejandra
Bass Videos

Josh Cohen: Alejandra

Josh Cohen has shared another great solo bass video with us. With a nice scenic backdrop, he performs his tune, “Alejandra”. “This soulful song that was inspired by someone very special to me, attempts to emulate the sound of a lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass line all on the solo six-string electric bass, using the two-handed tapping technique,” Josh...

Soulfly Releases Final Album With Tony Campos
New Albums

Soulfly Releases Final Album With Tony Campos

Soulfly has released its last album with bassist Tony Campos (former Static-X), who left the band to join Fear Factory. Archangel, the metal band’s 10th album, is the band’s most mystical one since its 2004 record, Prophecy, says Max Cavalera (ex-Sepultura), the band’s founder, guitarist and vocalist. He says the record reflects diverse influences, from Biblical themes to death metal....