Archive for 2016 - Page 64

After years of development, Brimstone Audio is now shipping the Ouroboros OB-1 dual-band effects loop switching system. The fully analog pedal cleans up your effects by separating them into two loops that can be layered together in a several ways. “The Ouroboros can do a standard parallel blend configuration, but the real star of the show is Brimstone Audio’s innovate...

Bassist Kinga Glyk stunned us all with this excellent cover of a cover of “Tears In Heaven.” The original is by Eric Clapton. Kinga’s all-bass performance is a cover of the one by Jeff Berlin.

Jaco Pastorius’ music, as played in the past and closer to the present, are the focus of Now & Then, the two-CD import set from the Jaco Pastorius Big Band. The first disc of the Japanese import is the “Then” part of the package, featuring previously unreleased takes from Jaco’s 1981 “Birthday Concert.” The second disc is primarily culled from...

After unveiling the Microtubes B7K Ultra at NAMM this year, Finland’s Darkglass Electronics has given the Ultra treatment to the Vintage Microtubes. The new Vintage Ultra is described as “super portable preamp which enables on one side a massive clean sound, and from the other side, a tasty saturated sound.” The pedal’s overdrive section has a Level control, Drive control,...

Regular readers here know we’re big fans of Juan Nelson. So hearing him back with Ben Harper (& The Innocent Criminals) is a thrill. From the band’s latest release, Call It What It Is, here’s “Shine”. We hope they’re here to stay.

Legendary rock band Pink Floyd has started its vinyl reissue campaign of its full catalogue with four albums: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (the band’s 1967 debut), A Saucerful of Secrets, the double LP Ummagumma and the soundtrack from the film More. All the albums, pressed on 180 gram vinyl, feature Roger Waters on bass, with designs replicating...

Bassist, educator and No Treble contributor Joe Hubbard is releasing “Alien Nation”, the first single from his upcoming recording project. The 7-minute track fusion track features the formidable keyboardist George Whitty (Michael Brecker, Dave Sanborn, Santana, Brecker Bros.) and the legendary jazz fusion drummer Tom Brechtlein (Chick Corea, Robin Ford, Wayne Shorter, Al DiMeola). Besides the amazing song, Hubbard also...

Dean is now shipping the Exotica Supreme Cutaway Acoustic/Electric bass. The full-sized instrument is a pared down version of the Exotica Quilt Ash that gets down to the essentials. Its body is made from mahogany with a spruce top while the mahogany neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard. The soundhole has a distinct inlay and the neck has multi-ply...

Kenny Brault sent this to me saying, “Chris Squire’s bass tone and style back in 1969… Amazing. Well established back then.” These videos were recorded for the German TV show “Beat-Club” in 1969. The two videos below include: No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed Looking Around And the lineup: Jon Anderson: lead vocals, percussion Peter Banks: guitars, vocals Chris Squire:...

Only a few of the songs on Paul Simon’s 13th solo studio album, Stranger to Stranger, feature bass, but when the bass is used, it’s in good hands. Carlos Henriquez (Wynton Marsalis Septet) and Bakithi Kumalo (known for his work on “You Can Call Me Al” from Simon’s 1986 album, Graceland) share bass duties on the tune “The Riverbank,” with...

Ernie Ball Music Man has revealed the latest package to their Premier Dealer Network. The Starry Night offering, which can be ordered on nearly all of the company’s basses, features a limited edition sparkle burst finish that will only be offered for the month of June. Other features include a roasted maple neck with stainless steel frets and an unmarked...

For most musicians, walking into a professional recording studio is like setting foot in Disneyland. There are so many colors, so many shiny microphones, so many synthesizers! You want to touch everything, including those knobs on the console that are so perfectly aligned. The faint scent of aged wood, treated walls, and ghostly vibrations transport you to a world of...