Elephant Gym: “Finger” and “Midway”
They can be annoying, but sometimes algorithms get it right. YouTube suggested this video of Elephant Gym performing their songs “Finger” and “Midway” live at the Megaport Festival and I was hooked. The Taiwanese band is composed of siblings Tell Chang Kai-hsiung and Tif Chang Kai-ting with drummer Tu Chia-chin. Tif takes the lead on the bass, laying down luscious...
Pablo Elorza Publishes New Instructional Book, Patterns
We have shared some great lessons and videos by Pablo Elorza on No Treble in the past. Now he’s released a new instructional book called Patterns that explains how small motifs can expand your vocabulary. “A pattern is a small melodic idea that can be repeated, developed and adapted to any musical situation,” he writes. “Patterns seeks to explore the...
Xotic Announces All-Brass Patch Cables
Xotic unveiled a new set of cables with the pedal user in mind. The Xotic All-Brass patch cables come in six-inch and twelve-inch lengths with slender plug design. “The All-Brass plugs, engineered with brass and nickel plated, ensure optimal signal transfer with low capacitance for a clear, more defined sound,” the company writes. “Designed to save space, the thin pancake-style...
Bass of the Week: Bassline Re-Belle Series 5 Multiscale Multilayer
Germany’s Bassline went over the top for the Musikmesse show one year with what they called a “multi-scale, multi-layer” version of their Re:Belle model. Besides the obvious multi-scale design, the company routed out the sapele pommele body and actually inlaid the flashy quilted maple top. Its pickguard is made from the same piece of maple. Bassline opted to use Canadian...
Phil Lynott: Ode To A Black Man, Live
Today we’re celebrating the late, great Phil Lynott’s birthday with a clip from The Old Grey Whistle Test. The Thin Lizzy frontman is in top shape performing his song “Ode To A Black Man” from his debut solo album, Solo in Soho, released in 1980. The bassist lays on the root to dig his signature snarling tone out of his...
George Porter, Jr Announces Rare UK Tour
Attention funk fans in the UK: George Porter, Jr. is coming your way. The famed Meters bassist will be bringing his band The Runnin’ Pardners to the UK for the first time in many years, according to a press release. “During the course of a career spanning more then four decades, Porter has not only made a deep impression with...
Stanley Clarke Band Announces Extensive September/October Tour Dates
After releasing his new album, The Message, earlier this year, Stanley Clarke is taking his band on the road for a jam-packed couple of months. The Stanley Clarke Band will kick September off at the Rimouski International Jazz Festival in Quebec before heading back the U.S. to cover the East Coast. After a six-night residency at the Blue Note in...
ZVEX Effects Announces the Russian Fuzz Factory 7 Pedal
ZVEX Effects expanded their line of effects pedals with the Fuzz Factory 7, which features rare Russian transistors. Company founder Zachary Vex explains why that’s important: “Germanium transistors. What makes them so special? It’s because they turn on faster. Sooner. They get turned on way quicker than any other transistors,” he explains. “Yeah, I got a favorite transistor, the shiny...
The Strandberg Project Releases “Progressive Construction”
The Strandberg Project has returned with a new album called Progressive Construction. The band, led by monster bassist Jan-Olof Strandberg, typically features a guest artist for each album, but this one is a bit different. “The original idea with Strandberg Project has been to invite musicians and friends from all over the world to perform and record with the band...
Zander Circuitry Introduces Foxxton Woods Fuzz and Surplus Overdrive Pedals
Zander Circuitry has introduced two new pedals called the Foxxton Woods Fuzz and the Surplus Overdrive. Each of the pedals is described as being highly tweakable with wide versatility without losing user-friendliness. “The Foxxton Woods ‘Upper Octave Fuzz Generator’, a high-gain fuzz inspired by the insane octave fuzz boxes of the 70s,” Zander writes. “And the Surplus ‘Elemental Overdriver’, a...
The Magpie Salute Releases Debut Album, “High Water I”
Attention Black Crowes fans: guitarist Rich Robinson has released a new album with The Magpie Salute, a band that also features former Black Crowes members Marc Ford and bassist Sven Pipien. The rest of the band is filled out by vocalist Josh Hogg, keyboardist Matt Slocum, and drummer Joe Magistro. Together they’ve been touring and performing covers, Black Crowes songs,...
In the Queen’s Service: A Look at Aretha Franklin’s Bassists
Like the rest of the world, we’re in mourning over the passing of the Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul’s incredible vocal talents put a stamp on her generation while also giving her music a timeless quality that continues to be relevant today. Her career had highs and lows, but she was always a staple of the music world. We’re...