Buzz
Rickenbacker Announces 4003W Bass
Rickenbacker has introduced the W Series of guitars and basses for 2014. The lineup is a spin on their classic models, including the 4003 bass, but are made with walnut bodies. Though the company states that it’s careful not to change too much from the formulas they use to make instrument, they say the walnut adds strength and natural character....
Doug Johns: Booty Groove
When Doug Johns got together with drummer Jordan Simmons, he described it as “just groovin’.” Here’s some of that groovin’, titled “Booty Groove”. Oh yeah.
Arild Andersen Releases “Mira”
Norwegian jazz bass great Arild Andersen has produced a studio album of ballads with drummer Paolo Vinaccia and tenor sax player Tommy Smith – the same trio responsible for the Live at Belleville album. features mostly work written by Andersen, but it does include a cover of Burt Bacharach’s classic, “Alfie.” In an interview with Jazz Times reproduced on his...
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in January
Thanks to the Winter NAMM Show, January is always a huge month for new gear stories. (So much so, we’ll still be covering the NAMM news into February). Here are the top 10 most popular gear stories in January, based on readership. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing. And here’s to lots more gear news! 1. Cort Jeff...
Troy Roberts’ Nu-Jive 5, Featuring Eric England: Stoner
A couple of weeks ago, we featured a video of Dane Alderson playing with Troy Roberts’ Nu-Jive, and it led me to check out more of the saxophonists videos. Mr. Roberts obviously has a knack for picking great bassists, because I was blown away by Eric England in this video for the song “Stoner.” The bassist floats a nice big...
Angelique Kidjo Releases “Eve”, Featuring Christian McBride
The queen of African music and one of music’s most extraordinary bassists have joined forces. The record is Angelique Kidjo’s album, . She’s the queen, of course, and the bassist is Christian McBride, who has worked with everyone from Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock to pop/rock stars Sting and Don Henley. McBride is a longtime fan of Kidjo and he...
Makers of the Melody: Part 1
As we begin our journey as bass players, we are drawn to particular types of grooves. Perhaps our ears perk up with a soulful R&B line, the sound of a walking upright, or a rock tune where the bass is pedaling the roots. Many of us are intrigued by vibrant staccato grooves, the slaps and pops of 70’s funk, or...
Robert Glasper Experiment: NPR Tiny Desk Concert
The NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert series always seems to draw something special out of artists. The setting forces musicians to make a statement with a reduced set and limited instrumentation. Essentially, it shows viewers what a group is really made of, and the Robert Glasper Experiment used to the opportunity to prove they’re the real thing. The core of...
Nashville Pussy Releases “Up The Dosage”
, Nashville Pussy’s first studio record since 2009’s From Hell to Texas, is being called the hard rockers’ band’s Back in Black by frontman Blaine Cartwright. Now, this record isn’t an album of mourning and rebirth following the death of a member like AC/DC’s classic album, but it is the first on-record appearance of bassist Bonnie Buitrago, who has been...
Bass of the Week: Franz Bassguitars Sirius
This week we take a look at the Franz Bassguitars Sirius, a stunning bass made in Bavaria by luthier Xaver Tremel. I found this bass through this excellent demo played by German bassist Ralf Gauck: The bass features a singlecut design that comes in either 4- or 5-string versions. Tremel starts the bass with a chambered walnut body with plenty...
Profiles in Tone: Jack Casady
Jack Casady has one of the most distinct tones in rock and roll, and it’s not by accident. The Hot Tuna/ex-Jefferson Airplane bassist has always been very detail oriented when it comes to getting his sound right. “I think tone is essential,” he shared with us in our 2012 interview with him. “I think tone is your signature as to...
Hadrien Feraud and Federico Malaman: Cherokee Jam at NAMM 2014
I’m still in recovery mode from NAMM this year, but I’ve been checking out all the great videos pouring in from the show. Here’s a crazy fast version of “Cherokee” by Hadrien Feraud and Federico Malaman at the Ken Smith booth. The duo trade solos at break-neck speeds, each more intense than the last. Hold on tight.