Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 792

There’s nothing like a nice jam to make your day. Here, Melvin Lee Davis lays down some funky slap grooves on guitarist Lee Ritenour’s tune “Rio Funk” from the Northsea Jazz Festival in 2009. The man is groovin’ so hard, you can tell even with the sound muted!

David Hughes has released his fourth solo album, entitled Hopeful Romantic. The album features ten of the bassist’s original tunes, revolving around jazz, funk, and jazz/rock fusion. While the bass gets a lot of time to shine on melodies and solos, the album’s tone centers more around the ensemble playing and the compositions. Hughes pulled out his arsenal of basses...

Traveler Guitars has introduced the TB-4P Bass, an electric travel bass designed specifically for practice. Featuring a classic double cutaway design, the bass has several unique features to aid silent practice including a built-in headphone amplifier and a 1/8” aux-in jack for connecting an mp3 player. For increased portability, Traveler removed the headstock and reduced the scale to a 32”...

Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill has announced Rock Dawg University, a live lesson series where fans will get to the chance to see, hear and interact with him in an “exclusive and intimate online setting.” Currently, there are 10 sessions scheduled starting May 27th and wrapping up July 5th though the schedule is subject to change due to Merrill’s touring. The...

Here’s a clip of French fusion bassist Hadrien Feraud jamming out some solo bass ideas on his signature Ken Smith 5-string. The video was shot by fellow bass monster Janek Gwizdala before he interviewed him.

Bassist Alex Bershadsky has released his latest solo effort, Anonymous. The 8-track album is full of Bershadsky’s fusion compositions, with heavy influences from jazz, funk, and R&B. The final two tracks are his arrangements of the traditional song “Ma’oz Tzur,” on which he plays solo bass, and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The band on the album proves its versatility...

Peter Hook’s The Light has released their debut 4-track EP on the bassist’s Hacienda Records label. 1102/2011 includes the group covering classic Joy Division songs, including a first ever recording of the previously unfinished song “Pictures in My Mind.” The song was discovered on a recovered rehearsal tape stolen from the band in 1977. Hook, who was the original Joy...

Jan Östlund sent us this video of Von Thord playing their tune, “Wedding Night”. The duo, made up of David Werthén and John Bergion, say, “this is what the cello and bass were built for wood beating in HD.” We agree.

Bootsy Collins has announced the “Funk Capital of the World Tour,” including 27 dates spread between the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The trek is in support of the funk bassist’s latest solo album, Tha Funk Capital of the World, with which Collins pays tribute to the musical legends that have inspired and affected him. The funk bass icon has also...

Glenn Hughes’ autobiography, Deep Purple & Beyond: Scenes from the Life of a Rock Star, is now available. In the book, the ex-Deep Purple bassist and current Black Country Communion member recounts his turbulent years from rising to fame and wild parties to cocaine and crack addiction and his eventual recovery. “I’ve been working on this book for the last...

Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill weighed in on the band’s current state and future plans in a recent interview with Metal Hammer Germany. The group, who recently announced their “farewell” Epitaph tour, also lost founding member K.K. Downing. The guitarist cited “an ongoing breakdown in working relationship” for his departure. “We have done everything to persuade Ken to continue, but...

Rotosound have expanded their Swing Bass line of strings to include a set of 45-100 gauge nickel strings. The company says the new set of nickel strings have a more muted and smoother tone than its stainless steel brethren, which make up most of the Swing Bass series, and that they offer a softer feel. As with the rest of...