Prong’s 10th Studio Album Released
Prong has released its 10th studio album, No Absolutes. Featuring Jason Christopher (Black President, Stone Sour, Sebastian Bach, Corey Taylor) on bass, the metal band’s latest album is one that bandleader/singer/guitarist Tommy Victor says exhibits ever greater technical proficiency and progress. “We feel the listener needs to be excited about every lyric, performance, sound, etc. for the duration of the...
1975 Rush Live Recording Available as Import
If you’re a Rush fan and haven’t encountered this 1975 live recording of the band in Cleveland, Ohio, you’re in luck. It’s now available as an import as Beneath, Between and Behind: F.M. Broadcast 1975. According to the site, Rush Is A Band, the show by the Canadian trio with Geddy Lee on bass and vocals was recorded to air...
Eric Revis Featured on Trumpeter’s Latest
Trumpeter Avishai Cohen (not to be confused with the bassist of the same name) has released Into the Silence, featuring Eric Revis (Betty Carter, Branford Marsalis) on bass. The album, dedicated to the memory of Cohen’s father, was recorded in July 2015 at Studios La Buissonne in the South of France and produced by Manfred Eicher founder/producer of the ECM...
Michael Formanek Goes Big on “The Distance”
The Distance is jazz double bassist/composer Michael Formanek’s latest, this time featuring his 19-musician big band, Ensemble Kolossus. “I wanted a large, rich, chewy sound with this music – and the ensemble’s rhythm section is particularly big, with piano, marimba, guitar, bass and drums,” Formanek said of the album, which was recorded in December in Brooklyn, New York. “I also...
Snarky Puppy Releases “Family Dinner, Vol. 2”
Snarky Puppy joined with a host of vocalists and musicians in February 2015 in New Orleans to record an album in front of a live studio audience. Now, that album, and an accompanying video, documenting the performance is available to hear and watch as Family Dinner, Vol. 2. The project from Snarky Puppy, led by bassist/composer Michael League, aims to...
Moppa Elliot Releases Solo Effort
Mostly Other People Do the Killing’s leader, bassist and composer Matthew “Moppa” Elliott has released his solo bass album, Still, Up in the Air. The jazz album was recorded live in one day — Feb. 15, 2015 — at St. Stephen’s Pro Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Elliott favors a non-linear approach to his work, using authors David Foster Wallace and...
The London Suede’s Latest Explores Anxious “Night Thoughts”
The British band Suede, known as The London Suede in the United States, has released its 7th studio album, Night Thoughts. The Night Thoughts CD package features not only music, but also a feature film by photographer/video director Roger Sargent, which reflects the album’s themes related to familial anxiety — birth, decay, death, youth and parenthood, according to frontman Brett...
Bosco Mann Produces James Hunter Six’s Latest
The James Hunter Six’s first album on Daptone Records, Hold On!, netted an impressive producer — Daptone Records’ co-owner Bosco Mann (Gabriel Roth), who is also the bass player and bandleader of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. “The great thing about working with Gabe Roth is that he can get our tunes on tape exactly the way I heard them...
“Akróasis” is Obscura’s Complex 4th Album
German progressive death metal band Obscura has released its fourth studio album, Akróasis. The album title is Greek for “listening” or “hearing” and features virtuosic bassist Linus Klausenitzer (Noneuclid, Alkaloid).”Without question, Akróasis is the heaviest, most complex record we have made to date,” says the band’s frontman, Steffen Kummerer in Blabbermouth. Check out the title track: Akróasis is available on...
Nothing But Thieves Offers Debut Album
The self-titled debut album from British band Nothing But Thieves has been released in the United States. The group, with Philip Blake on bass, draws inspiration from bands like Muse and Arcade Fire. According to Musical Merchandise Review, Blake uses Rotosound’s classic Swing Bass 66 strings in 45, 65, 80 and 110 gauges. The band also has almost 2 million...
Songbook for Beginner Bassists Offers Wide Variety
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, especially if you’re new to playing bass. Hal Leonard Corp.’s First 50 Songs You Should Play On Bass aims to help. The book features easy arrangements (tab) of songs bassists often want to play. Check out the song list: American Girl Billie Jean Black Dog Blister In The Sun Blitzkrieg Bop Born...
Janek Gwizdala Releases Solo Bass Album
Jazz bassist Janek Gwizdala released his latest solo bass album, American Elm, less than a month after recording it. Gwizdala, featured on the latest Peter Erskine release Dr. Um, recorded American Elm in one day – Dec. 27, 2015 – at Los Feliz Sound in Los Angeles, California. He uses his Fodera Signature 5-string bass, Aguilar SL-212’s and a single...