Level 42: “Something About You” – Live (2016)
Level 42’s Mark King is a master of slap bass. His complex rhythmic and melodic bass lines are tough enough to tackle alone, but he manages to sing at the same time. The folks at Java Jazz Festival just shared this performance of “Something About You,” which took place in 2016. The band is in top form, and King’s performance...
Juraj Griglák & Company Live Album Now Available
Bassist Juraj Griglák has released a new live CD with a killer band. Juraj Griglák & Company Live features Bobby Sparks, Poogie Bell, and Chris Hemingway performing five of the bass player’s songs from a May 2015 concert at Barmuseum in Martin, Slovakia. “I listened to a recording from a concert in Martin and I found out that there are...
Bass of the Week: Sadowsky Guitars NYC Will Lee 5-String
One of the great things about writing the Bass of the Week column is that builders send us photos of some of their best work. This recent Sadowsky NYC Will Lee 5-string hit my inbox and stopped me in my tracks. Built with a chambered swamp ash body, the bass’s candy apple orange finish and black pearl pickguard are enough...
Bass Battle Branches Out with “Electric Play”
Bass Battle, aka Bogdan Diaconeasa, has released a new album, but this one is a little different from his previous efforts. While it still has some killer bass on it, Electric Play focuses on the guitar. “Guys, for some of you, this new release could sound a little bit paradoxical, a project called Bass Battle with a new album has...
Mike Brignardello with Chuck Rainey: New Years Day
We’re kicking off the year right with a new track by Mike Brignardello with bass master Chuck Rainey, aptly entitled “New Years Day.” Brignardello wrote the song after participating in a yearly tradition with a third Nashville bassist. “It was inspired by an annual dinner that Victor Wooten has at his place on New Years Day,” he explains. “He gathers...
Olivier Babaz: Cold & Bright
Bass and kalimba guru Olivier Babaz shared his latest video with us for his song “Cold & Bright”. Inspired by the first snow in his native Montreal, the track has Babaz wielding dual kalimbas to perform the melody while playing a bass line on his trusty upright.
In Memoriam: Remembering the Bassists We Lost in 2017
It’s the end of the year and once again time to reflect on 2017. The world lost some incredible members of the bass community this year from prog-rock legends to luthiers to bass amp innovators. As always, they may be gone but their memories will live on through their work. Join us as we remember the lives and legacies of...
Warwick Introduces Red Series Strings for 8-String Basses
After releasing the RockBass Corvette Basic 8-String bass earlier this year, Warwick is now offering a set of strings for 8-string basses in their Red series. The Warwick Red 8-String set includes four strings plus four-octave strings suitable for all long scale eight-string basses. “The strings of the Warwick Red 8-String set are Roundwound, medium gauge (.017″, .040″, .025″, .060″,...
Fernando Molinari Trio: Hidden
Fernando Molinari has just released a new single with his trio featuring guitarist Davi Filho and Bruno Valverde. “Hidden” showcases the musicians locking in as the song melds between fusion and prog-rock. Molinari gets a killer tone to match his rock solid playing and tasty fills.
Omar Vazquez Castro & Simon Sammut: Mar
Bassists Omar Vazquez Castro and Simon Sammut teamed up for a bass duo composition called “Mar”, which translates to “sea.” “Omar composed the track and plays bass chords and harmonics. I play the fretless and upright bass,” Sammut explains. The track reflects the feeling of the sea with an ambient atmosphere, thanks to the harmonics and tones each player pulls...
Bassists Alliance Teams Up For “Crush”
If you’ve felt the ground rumbling late, it’s probably because bassists from all over the world have teamed up for the Bassists Alliance. The project, which features thirteen bassists and one drummer, has released their debut album, Crush. Formed by Alberto Rigoni and Six Feet Under bassist Jeff Hughell, the group’s new album is as varied in style as it...
Sleep Expands 2018 Tour Dates
Doom metal legends Sleep expanded their 2018 tour dates with a new handful of concerts in January. The trio, which is anchored by the mighty Al Cisneros, will be visiting Utah, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas in addition to their previously announced spring shows. In other news, the band spent part of this past year working on a new album with...