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Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 572


Rage Against the Machine: Killing in the Name, Live at Rock am Ring
Bass Videos

Rage Against the Machine: Killing in the Name, Live at Rock am Ring

Tim Commerford’s raw power groove propels Rage Against the Machine in this performance of “Killing in the Name,” live at the Rock am Ring Festival in 2000.

Michael Dease Releases “Coming Home”, Featuring Christian McBride
New Albums

Michael Dease Releases “Coming Home”, Featuring Christian McBride

Trombonist Michael Dease has released his fifth album as a leader, entitled Coming Home. The 11-track release showcases the jazz side of his upbringing in Augusta, Georgia with a healthy mix of standards and original tunes. Dease recruited bass legend Christian McBride to anchor the album, citing his tastefulness and virtuosic playing. “Everything he plays feels so good,” Dease said....

In Memoriam: Marshall Lytle
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Marshall Lytle

Marshall Lytle, bassist for Bill Haley and The Comets, has passed away at the age of 79 after a battle with cancer. Lytle left his mark on popular music as the bassist on the classic track “Rock Around the Clock,” a song that is often cited as the birth of rock ’n’ roll. Born in Old Fort, North Carolina in...

Molten Voltage Introduces OZ Looper Controller
Pedals & Effects

Molten Voltage Introduces OZ Looper Controller

Molten Voltage has released the OZ Looper Controller, a pedal that works in tandem with the Strymon Timeline Delay to offer advanced use of its MIDI capabilities. The OZ connects with a single MIDI cable to access and control the TimeLine’s Reverse, Half-Speed/Double-Speed, Undo, and Redo functions. The OZ also has single-press, soft-touch recording and play back, meaning that you...

Daft Punk Releases “Random Access Memories”
New Albums

Daft Punk Releases “Random Access Memories”

Electronica duo Daft Punk have taken a turn towards humanity with their latest album, Random Access Memories, which almost exclusively uses live instrumentation. The 13-track effort brings together a spectacular cast of guest musicians including Julian Casablancas, Pharrell Williams, Paul Williams, Nile Rodgers, Chilly Gonzalez and others. “Making music with musicians and bringing back a certain craftsmanship, that was totally...

Phil Jones Announces Limited Edition Briefcase Ultimate Bass Amp Combo
Amps

Phil Jones Announces Limited Edition Briefcase Ultimate Bass Amp Combo

It’s been ten years since the Phil Jones Briefcase was introduced, and the company is celebrating the milestone with a limited edition version of the compact bass amplifier. The Phil Jones Briefcase Ultimate will be a modified version of the original, bumping up output from 100 watts to 160 watts. Other upgraded features include new higher power Pirhana speakers with...

Peter Hook and The Light to Perform New Order Albums on North American Tour
Concerts & Tours

Peter Hook and The Light to Perform New Order Albums on North American Tour

Peter Hook and The Light are gearing up for a special North American tour this fall in which the group will play the first two albums from the bassist’s previous band New Order. The band will perform both 1981’s Movement and 1983’s Power, Corruption & Lies in their entireties at nine cities across the U.S. and Canada, starting September 10th...

Bass of the Week: KR Guitars Ursa
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: KR Guitars Ursa

This week we check out the Ursa from KR Guitars, a striking multi-scale bass that’s handmade by luthier Kevin Robertson in Vallejo, California. While the bass can be built with whatever woods are requested, this particular bass caught our eye with its 5A California Claro Walnut top and 5A flame maple back. The rest of the bass’s body is The...

Custom Shop: Revsound
Custom Shop

Custom Shop: Revsound

Started in 1983, Revsound is a company that offers handmade bass cabinets. Proprietor David C. Luke’s deep interest in sound and sound production has driven his work to create powerful cabinets with an emphasis on staying lightweight. Luke builds all of the cabs to order in his Effingham, New Hampshire workshop. The RS series includes a 1×10, 2×10, and 4×10...

Alex Bershadsky: Via Dolorosa
Bass Videos

Alex Bershadsky: Via Dolorosa

Here’s a cool tapping tune from Alex Bershadsky, who employs a constant pulse in his left hand with arpeggios while bringing out a beautiful melody with his right hand.

In Memoriam: Trevor Bolder
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Trevor Bolder

Trevor Bolder, who played with David Bowie’s backing band Spiders From Mars, has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 62. Born in Kingston Upon Hull, England, Bolder was a prominent member of the local R&B scene in the ‘60s before replacing Tony Visconti in Bowie’s band. He appeared on the albums Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall...

Bobby McFerrin Releases “Spirityouall”, Featuring Esperanza Spalding and Larry Grenadier
New Albums

Bobby McFerrin Releases “Spirityouall”, Featuring Esperanza Spalding and Larry Grenadier

Master vocalist Bobby McFerrin has released Spirityouall, a thirteen track album compiled of classic spirituals as well as original compositions. Integrating many of McFerrin’s musical influences, the effort pays homage to the legacy of the singer’s father, the late baritone Robert McFerrin, Sr., who was the first African-American to sign a contract with the Metropolitan Opera Company. He was also...