Archive for January 2020 - Page 8

Jazz bassist Orlando le Fleming has released a new instructional book to help you get in shape for the new year. Designed for both electric and double bass, “Get It Together” focuses on “time and sound priorities for the jazz bass player.”

This week we’re checking out an exotic number from Australia’s Polaris Basses. This Shorty model is dubbed the “Mango” due to its striking mango top covering a sapele body.

Zander Zon wrapped up the first “season” of his Pandora’s Bass series with this video and arrangement of U2’s “With or Without You.”

MonoNeon kicked the new year off right by releasing a fresh album called “Toxic Wasteland 2 The Hills.” The eight-song collection continues the bassist’s unreal sense of groove and melody. It also has a loose theme of self-care.

Grateful Dead founder Phil Lesh will be celebrating his 80th birthday this year. The Lockn’ Festival has already announced they’ll be honoring him in June, but now Lesh himself has unveiled a string of dates leading up to his birthday.

Yussef Dayes and Alfa Mist is a very cool band. Rocco Palladino (Pino’s son) is the bassist, and I’m guessing he’s had some amazing bass lessons over the years. Here they are again, performing Dayes’ “Love Is The Message.”

The Free Nationals have gained notoriety as Anderson .Paak’s live band, but now they’ve struck out with an album of their own. Anchored by Kelsey Gonzalez, the album includes .Paak, the late Mac Miller, Daniel Caeser, Kali Uchis, and more.

Ananashead Effects has announced the Main Fuzz, a pedal based on the vintage Fuzz Face circuit. It’s available in three versions: silicon, germanium, or a hybrid of the two.

Jason Raso sent us this video, and I immediately watched it, thinking, “this has a great Weather Report vibe!” Then I read the note: “Respectfully dedicated to Joe Zawinul and the music of Weather Report.”

Each year, the Winter NAMM Show brings the top industry talent to Anaheim, California. That includes bassists, who all flock to the Bass Bash. This year the event returns on January 16th and 17th with one of its best lineups yet.

We closed out 2019 with some big gear stories. Some of them were previews of the upcoming Winter NAMM Show, which has us pretty pumped. Here are the top 10 reader favorite gear stories for the month of December 2019.

TC Electronic has added two new versions of their time-based effects. The Flashback 2 Mini Delay and Hall of Fame 2 Mini Reverb each feature their TonePrint technology that allows for beaming in different tone types from your smartphone.