Buzz
Big Ear n.y.c. Announces Chaka Octave Fuzz Pedal
Big Ear n.y.c. has unveiled the Chaka, an octave fuzz pedal designed for all instruments, but especially for bass. The pedal features Fuzz, Volume, and Tone knobs for dialing in your tone with a separate footswitch to activate the octave effect. “The fuzz side uses LED clipping diodes which are more aggressive, but less compressed, and let the natural tone...
Shahab Tolouie and Jan Urbanec: Natalia
I received a note from bassist Jan Urbanec about a new video by the incredible duo he has with guitarist Shahab Tolouie. Of course, any time that happens, I can’t wait to check out what they’re up to with their “flamenco fusion” sound. As always, Jan’s note came with a little humor: “I know No Treble can’t be all about...
SOJA Releases “Amid the Noise and Haste”
D.C.-based reggae band SOJA has released its sixth album, . Featuring bassist/vocalist Bobby Lee, SOJA’s latest is the followup to its most successful record, 2012’s Strength to Survive. The record features not only the work of Jamaican producer Supa Dups (Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Eminem) but also guest appearances by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Michael Franti. Amid the Noise and...
Jackson Introduces David Ellefson Signature Kelly Bird V Bass
Jackson Guitars has announced a 5-string version of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson’s signature Kelly Bird Bass. Building on the 4-string version, the bass retains many of the same features including a basswood body and a bolt-on bound maple neck with block inlays. The bass is fitted with a pair of EMG HZ40 pickups matched with separate volume controls and a...
Jermaine Morgan with Brien Andrews: Walkin’ the Talk “Revisited”
Here’s a great video bassist Jermaine Morgan shared on our Facebook page. Morgan builds a huge groove with drummer Brien Andrews on a playthrough of the track “Walkin’ the Talk” from his debut album, . Make sure to check out Morgan’s solo at the 3:44 mark.
Spoon Returns with First Album in Four Years, “They Want My Soul”
Spoon’s eighth album, , is the band’s first in four years. It also marks the Texas band’s shift from an indie label (Merge) to a major (Loma Vista, an imprint of Universal Music Group) and the addition of a new member — Alex Fischel on guitar and keyboards. During that four-year hiatus, bassist Rob Pope (also of The Get Up...
Bass Players To Know: George Porter Jr.
It should be no surprise that George Porter, Jr.’s picture was used to feature our announcement of the Bass Players to Know series, because frankly, he’s one of the funkiest men out there. Devilishly hiding behind an old, authentically road worn Fender P-bass, he can speak volumes with a single note played in just the right place. So, for all...
Zawinul Legacy Band Featuring Hadrien Feraud: Bass Solo and “Port of Entry”
Bassist Hadrien Feraud completely rips it up in this video of the Zawinul Legacy Band performing “Port of Entry.” The clip starts with a bass solo and you can almost see the smoke coming from his fingers as shreds across the entire instrument. The rest of the band then kicks in with the Weather Report song “Port of Entry,” which...
West Coast Pedal Board Introduces Little Rock Compact Pedal Board
If you keep your effects chain between one and five stompboxes, West Coast Pedal Board has got you covered with the Little Rock pedalboard. The compact pedalboard measures 7 inches by 12 inches and weighs in at only 3.5 pounds for a small footprint and easy portability. Though it is part of their Standard series, the Little Rock will be...
Ernie Ball Music Man Announces Neptune Blue Package to Premier Dealer Network
Ernie Ball/Music Man is now taking orders for their Neptune Blue edition of basses and guitars as part of their Premier Dealer Network. The series is based around an African Mahogany body with a custom Neptune Blue finish and can be ordered on most models. Each bass will be built with a figured, roasted maple neck with a gunstock oil...
Bass Transcription: Marcus Miller’s “Cee-Tee-Eye”
“Cee-Tee-Eye” is from Marcus Miller’s 2012 album Renaissance, recorded to feature the new band Marcus assembled for the Tutu Revisited tour, which was a celebration of the Miles Davis album from the mid-80’s Miller contributed heavily to. The title for “Cee-Tee-Eye” is a nod to the various albums released on the CTI Records label, which were influential not only to...
Chaka Khan Live with Andrew Gouche: I Feel For You / Ain’t Nobody
Now this is a concert I wish I was at. Here are two videos of Andrew Gouche grooving like no other with Chaka Khan at the Java Jazz Festival in 2007. The band began the show with the combination of “I Feel For You” (first video) before segueing into “Ain’t Nobody” (second video).