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Bastille’s Third “Mixtape” Features Collaborative Originals
Indie band Bastille has reappeared with a new mixtape, with a title reminiscent of its first two. This time out, the “tape” — actually a CD — is . However, the album marks the fist time the “mixtape” has featured exclusively original content, rather than a combination of originals and cover versions of songs. The album does feature extensive collaboration...
Weekly Top 10: Funky Bass Videos, New Bass Gear, Learning the Electric Bass, Self Evaluation and More
This week’s top 10 list kicks off with two incredible videos – the first by Alissia Benveniste with her old school funky sound, and the second by Rebecca Johnson and her remarkable bass and vocal work on Jaco’s “Come on, Come Over”. Readers also enjoyed columns by Sam Hallam (the best way to learn electric bass) and Donovan “Dr D.”...
Vulfpeck: Christmas in L.A.
Vulfpeck is one of our favorite bands around here. So when Jack Stratton emailed me there was a Christmas video, I couldn’t wait to share it. “This song follows true Dartonian Physics,” Jack shared, referencing Vulfpeck bassist Joe Dart. “Meaning, groove for two minutes and then freak out during the last 1/8th of the song.” As if that wasn’t enough,...
Bass Battle Releases “Play” EP
Romanian artist, Bass Battle (also known as one person, Bogdan Diaconeasa), has released an EP’s worth of ambient solo bass songs called Play. Recorded over the course of three years, just for fun, the album features only Diaconeasa’s bass and a looper. “I will say that this album is the declaration of my love for this beautiful instrument – the...
Book Offers Insight on Using an iPad to Record Music
You may already be aware of many ways to use an iPad for making music. However, Hal Leonard Corp. has put together an book — — that covers the device’s “connectivity to the professional, project, and home music studios.” Written by music technology authors Vincent Leonard and Thomas Rudolph, the book in the Hal Leonard Quick Pro Guides series, the...
Dreadlock Dave: Silver Bells
Time to kick off the holiday season, bass style. Dreadlock Dave sent us this video with a nice note full of good cheer: “Here’s a little holiday wish from me & my bass guitar! Have a groovy day.” Love this funky arrangement, and that solo is awesome!
Ibanez Unveils Limited Edition Buckeye Burl SR Premium Bass
Ibanez has unveiled a new limited edition version of their SR Premium bass. Built in their Premium facility, the SR Premium LTD SR5BBLTD is set from its apart with a Buckeye Burl top with a matching headstock and pickup covers. The SR5BBLTD’s ash body is matched with an Atlas-5 five piece wenge and bubinga neck that is reinforced with KTS...
The Nth Power: Only Love
No Treble reader Bryan Thomas sent us a note telling us to check out The Nth Power, featuring bassist Nate Edgar. We’re glad he did. Here’s a great clip of the band performing “Only Love” last year at Schubas in Chicago, Illinois. Edgar’s buttery tone ties the group together and works them into a frenzy as the song builds up.
In Memoriam: Larry Sims
Bassist/vocalist Larry Sims, who was an original member of Loggins & Messina, has passed away of undisclosed causes. Bandleader Jim Messina broke the news on his Facebook page. “I was awakened this morning with a phone call that Larry Sims has passed away. As most of you know Larry was the original bass player and singer in Loggins and Messina.Larry...
D’Angelo Debuts Long-Awaited Album, Featuring Pino Palladino
2014 has been a good year for sneak albums, but R&B master D’Angelo may have taken the cake by releasing over the course of a weekend. The album, which is his first in fourteen years, is a tremendous return that pushes his art forward while keeping true to his voice. D’Angelo took a more serious approach for Black Messiah with...
Olivier Babaz Trio: Bim Maloya
Olivier Babaz is working on an album focusing on his specialty of mixing bass and kalimba. He sent us this video for the song “Bim Maloya,” in which he plays both instruments while employing 12/8 & 9/8 rhythms from Réunion Island.
New Hal Leonard Tab Book Teaches You How to Play Famous Rock Lines
Looking for a book that teaches you how to play some classic and new rock hits? Hal Leonard’s latest, could help. The paperback in the “Tab +” series not only includes tab for some bass classics, it also offers info on the gear you need to have, recording techniques, historical info, and playing tips (including right-and-left hand technique). Songs featured...