Art Hirahara Taps Linda May Han Oh for “Sunward Bound”
Pianist Art Hirahara has released his fourth solo album, called Sunward Bound. This time he called upon a killer group to fill out his quartet with saxophonist Donny McCaslin, drummer Rudy Royston, and bassist Linda May Han Oh. The lineup helped to fulfill the bandleader’s artistic vision over the 11-track collection. “I actually wrote this record with all these musicians...
Boom Bass Cabinets Introduces the BBC Matrix
Boom Bass Cabinets has expanded their lineup with the BBC Matrix, which is fitted with two 10-inch woofers, a 15-inch woofer, and a tweeter. Together the unit can handle up to 2,200 watts. “The BBC Matrix will give you all the full range sound you would expect from a large stack rig and maintain the clarity you would expect from...
Beauty and Desolation: An Interview with Steve Lawson
Steve Lawson’s new album, Beauty and Desolation, could not have a better title. The completely improvised album teeters between delicate melodies and ominous soundscapes that seem to be a perfect picture of our times. He takes us on this sonic journey with just his bass – and a boatload of gear. Improvisation and being in the moment are key to...
John Patitucci, Renaud Garcia-Fons Featured on Paul Simon’s “In The Blue Light”
Paul Simon is currently on his farewell concert tour, which may be part of the reasoning for his new semi-retrospective album, In The Blue Light. The 10-song album features fresh perspectives on some of his lesser-known songs from his catalog with tracks taken from seven records. “This album consists of songs that I thought were almost right, or were odd...
Electro-Harmonix Issues the Triangle Big Muff Pi Pedal
Electro-Harmonix’s flagship Big Muff pedal line is getting a new addition – or rather an old one. The original Version 1 Big Muff, aka the Triangle Big Muff, has been reissued in a new and more pedalboard-friendly version. The stompbox’s circuit board is faithful to the original 1969 effect. “The Big Muff Pi is the pedal we are best known...
Katie Thiroux Sets Out On Extensive Tour
Jazz bassist Katie Thiroux is taking her trio on the road for an international tour this fall. The journey kicks off with a leg on the West Coast before heading to Europe for the majority of October. Thiroux is a bassist in the stylistic vein of the great Ray Brown. Her latest album, Off Beat, featured and was produced by...
Fender Play App Adds Bass Content
After launching the platform earlier this year, the Fender Play educational app has been expanded to include bass lessons. The app is available for iOS devices, Android devices, and desktops. “Similar to other offerings on Fender Play, players progress through the learning process with simple bite-sized lessons, keeping their journey on track. With Fender Play Bass, players can learn essential...
Metal Allegiance Releases “Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty”
The all-star project Metal Allegiance has just released their second album entitled Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty. The group is comprised of guitarist Alex Skolnick, drummer Mike Portnoy, and two bassists: Mark Menghi and David Ellefson. Even though each member is busy with their own bands, they come together as a unit to write and record with tons of special...
Bass of the Week: Egilegor Basses Biadar 4
Sometimes Facebook is so full of drama that I think about freezing my account. Then I scroll by a beautiful bass like this Biadar from Egilegor Basses, and my faith is restored. Built by luthier Imanol Artola Egilegor in Spain, the model is their double-cut shape with a longer upper horn that helps to balance the weight. This particular bass...
Clutch Releases “Book of Bad Decisions”
Clutch has returned with their twelfth studio album, entitled Book of Bad Decisions. While fans can expect the same heavy grooves the band is known for, they also expanded their sound a bit. Bassist Dan Maines explained that working with producer Vance Powell pushed their musical palette. “He came out on the road with us for about a week right...
Damnation Audio Introduces Ugly Twin Pedal
Damnation Audio has released the Ugly Twin, an all-analog pedal that combines octave, boost, and fuzz effects into one unit. Each section of the pedal has its own footswitch for engaging or disengaging the effects. “The Ugly Twin sounds amazing on guitar and bass and is a killer all-in-one fuzz machine for punk, rock, metal, stoner, doom, indie, blues, grunge,...
In Memoriam: Max Bennett
Sad news to report today: session bass legend Max Bennett, who worked with artists ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to The Beach Boys to Frank Zappa, has passed away. He was 90 years old. Bennett grew up between Kansas City and Oskaloosa, Iowa. He had his first professional gig with Herbie Fields in 1949, after which he served in the Korean...