Weekly Top 10: Victor Wooten Podcast, Jaco Documentary, Top Bass Videos, Gear and More
This week’s top 10 covers the spectrum: our latest Groove episode with Victor Wooten, news of the Jaco film release, Damian’s latest column on finding your voice, plus the top videos and gear news, bass of the week and more.
On a sad note, we shared the passing of Wilton Felder this week.
Here are the most read stories and features and most watched videos for the week of September 26 – October 2, 2015. Thanks as always for reading, watching, commenting and sharing.
1. Groove – Episode #10: Victor Wooten
A respected player, teacher, philosopher and lover of nature, Victor Wooten is a bass player that we should all aspire to be like. From his desire to get instrument in front of more people, to his thoughts around where the best music and playing can come from. Enjoy the conversation…
2. Tim Commerford Introduces New Power Trio
Rage Against the Machine’s Tim Commerford has introduced a new power trio called Wakrat. Filled out by drummer Mathias Wakrat and guitarist Laurent Grangeon, the punk and hardcore-influenced band is working on a debut album that is described as rooted in the Minutemen, Bad Brains, and Fugazi…
3. Jaco Documentary and Soundtrack Get November Release Date
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo’s documentary about legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, “JACO,” has a release date – Nov. 27. The film will be available as video on demand, streaming, as a digital download, and on DVD/Blu-ray. The film’s soundtrack, Jaco: Original Soundtrack will be released on the same day, which is Record Store Day…
His main instrument may have been saxophone, but Wilton Felder’s early work as a bass guitarist launched him into the history books of the low end. The musician, who played the bass line for the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back”, passed away on September 27th at the age of 75…
We’re all big fans of Cody Wright, thanks in part to his work with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra. So, Cody recently picked up a looper. In what he says was his “first time putting together a loop from scratch on video,” he created a funky groove with plenty of tasty soloing…
6. Jeff Genzler Launches New Company, New Bass Cabinets
Jeff Genzler, founder and former head of Genz-Benz, has launched a new company called Genzler Amplification. The bass industry veteran first offerings from the venture include a trio of bass cabinets: The Bass Array 12-3, the Magellan 112T, and the Magellan 212T…
7. Finding Your Voice vs. Conventional Bass Playing
This week, a reader asks Damian Erskine about how to pursue a goal of finding a unique voice on bass vs. sticking with conventional methods of learning/playing. See what Damian has to say and share your thoughts as well…
8. David Hungate Leaves Toto, Leland Sklar Steps In
David Hungate’s time in Toto has once again come to an end. The co-founding bassist returned to the fold in 2014 to help record and tour behind Toto XIV after 30 years away from the band, but a new statement explains road life took its toll…
This week we’re checking out the Godin A4. Available in fretted and fretless versions, the semi-acoustic bass is fitted with a low profile Lace Sensor with side-mounted controls as well as custom Godin Saddle transducers with their own custom preamp…
10. Ampeg Introduces All-Tube Portaflex Bass Amps, 1×12 Cabinet
In 2011, Ampeg launched the Portaflex Amp Series featuring solid-state preamps inspired by their iconic B-15 amp. Now the company has expanded the line with the PF-20T and PF-50T, a pair of all-tube bass amps they describe as “modern interpretations of Ampeg’s legendary low-wattage, all-tube designs”…
