Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 278

Felton Guitars has announced the King Bass, a signature model for Kevin Scott. Scott worked with luthier Jon Levister to create what he calls “an original take on a classic meets modern tone.”

2021 is already looking up! Bass icon George Porter, Jr. has announced a new album with his band Runnin’ Pardners will be dropping in two months. “Crying For Hope” is the group’s first studio recording since 2015’s “It’s Time To Funk” EP.

Carl Thompson is a pioneer of bass building, and he’s still pushing the limits and building world-class instruments. This week we’re checking out his latest build, made for Brian Kelly, who got a Full-Frills model with an enormous 38-inch scale.

Melbourne, Australia’s Pickpocket has returned with their third album, entitled “Refraction”. The eight-piece jazz/funk/fusion band’s new effort is described as a “journey from the 80’s funk sounds” to some “Dub/RnB vibes”.

Tesla bassist and co-founder Brian Wheat has just released a new memoir. “Son of a Milkman: My Crazy Life with Tesla”, written with Chris Epting, details the highs and lows of Wheat’s life.

Fender wrapped up 2020 with the introduction of the limited edition Boxer Series. Made in Japan, the lineup includes a Precision Bass model that comes in Sherwood Green Metallic or Torino Red.

Gonzalo Grau & La Clave Secreta have released a new video with a timba version of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry About A Thing”. Panagiotis Andreou anchors the groove with incredible finesse that adds to the song’s danceability.

Another giant of the bass has left us. Eugene Wright, whose playing anchored the great Dave Brubeck Quartet, passed away on December 30, 2020. He was 97 years old.

As 2020 finally draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the members of the bass community we lost this year. From rock pioneers to funk icons to visionary luthiers, their work helped to define the shape of music.

Five years ago, Sandberg Guitars introduced the vintage rock-inspired Forty Eight model. This year they worked with Victor Brandt of Dimmu Borgir to create a signature version. Kevin took the 4- and 5-string basses for a spin in this new review.

Federico Malaman has just released a new instructional book called “Malalicks”, which is a collection of ten licks to improve your soloing skills.

Listen up, prog fans: Liquid Tension Experiment is back. The incredible supergroup of Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, and Tony Levin have signed to InsideOutMusic and will be releasing a third album in spring 2021.