Archive for 2018 - Page 58

Warwick’s W-Music Distribution has introduced a new string cleaner called the RockCare StringJet 64. Useful on six-string guitars and four-string basses, the gadget has microfiber cleaning pads on a hinge to wipe down both sides of your strings evenly. The pads can be used with or without a cleaning solution and can be washed for reuse. The StringJet 64 comes...

I’d like to title this column: “Better Late Than Never.” You’ve heard his bass lines at weddings, on the radio, at the supermarket, and possibly while waiting on the phone for the next available representative. His grooves defined the funk and disco era with their syncopated and infectious hooks, in-your-face tone, and get your booty on the dance floor swagger....

It is exciting to see the videos coming regularly from one of our favorite duos. Filmed during their masterclass at Musicmaker in May, here’s Evan Marien and Dana Hawkins playing “Cali.”

Larry Grenadier once again anchors the Brad Mehldau Trio on their latest effort entitled Seymour Reads the Constitution! Comprised of three Mehldau originals plus pop and jazz tunes, the album finds the bassist exploring alongside the pianist and drummer Jeff Ballard in flowing grooves. Grenadier joined Mehldau’s trio in the early ’90s, and this album is a testament to their...

Q: I’ve been playing around with hemiola rhythms and, no matter how much I try to “feel” them. I can’t. Help? A: I assume that you’re talking about rhythmic figures that repeat in a cycle and cross the barline (no obvious downbeats until the cycle has repeated enough times to bring it back to starting on the one). Literally speaking,...

Marcus Miller has a new album out, but today’s video features a tune from his last one, Afrodeezia. I was so intrigued by this 2015 performance at North Sea Jazz, thanks in large part to the instrumentation. Marcus describes the instrument – and the inspiration for the song – in the video description: “My wife, Brenda, traveled to Ndola, Zambia...

Once again, it is time to enjoy a roundup of some great bass-focused videos. Here are the top 10 reader favorite videos we shared in May. Thanks for watching, commenting, and sharing. 1. Billy Sheehan with Rush: 1990 Soundcheck While not *technically* a video, this month’s most popular clip came to us from Billy Sheehan. Back in 1990, Geddy Lee...

Matthews Effects has revamped their Astronomer reverb pedal with a V2 model that dishes out three different reverb options: Orion, Canis Major, and Ursa Major. The celestial-themed effects are a hall with shimmer reverb, an echo reverb, and a chamber reverb with octave, respectively. Besides the three algorithms, the Astronomer V2 now offers a 100 percent wet mix control, an...

YYNOT performed another concert in Melbourne, Florida last week. Here’s an excellent clip of them digging deep into Rush’s catalog. From 1975’s Caress Of Steel’s “Fountain Of Lamneth,” here’s their performance of “No One at the Bridge.” As always, Tim Starace nails the bass lines, and vocalist Rocky Kuner is absolutely amazing.

Dave Matthews Band has returned with his ninth album, entitled Come Tomorrow. The record is their first since 2012, but hardcore fans will recognize nine of the fourteen tracks from live performances over the past decade. Matthews worked in a variety of locations with four producers to expand the sonic palette. “Working between tours at studios in Seattle, Los Angeles...

I’m not sure what makes a bass with old-school mojo so appealing, but I do know that the Vuorensaku Guitars Mama bass has it in spades. The first bass in the Finnish company’s T. Family collection, the Mama shares several aspects of instruments from the past including a flexible body design. “In the beginning, I was already sure that I’d...

You’ll probably recognize Jonah Nilsson thanks to his work with Dirty Loops. Jonah released a new solo single a few days ago for his tune “Coffee Break,” and he had an exciting guest on the track: Richard Bona. “It’s my biggest pleasure to have such a great musician/artist and long time inspiration on this song!” Jonah shared. The track is...