Buzz
Jamiroquai’s “Rock Dust Light Star” Released in North America
Jamiroquai’s seventh album, Rock Dust Light Star was originally released on November 1, 2010. But not in North America. The band has announced that the album is finally available here, as of today, thanks to the band’s new relationship with Executive Music Group. Rock Dust Light Star was Jamiroquai’s first album in five years, following Dynamite, and anchored by bassist...
Genz Benz Second Generation Shuttle Bass Amps Now Shipping
Genz Benz has released their newest generation of the Shuttle Series bass amps, including the Shuttle 6.2 and the Shuttle 9.2. Featuring a tube preamp and a Class D power amplifier, the new line builds upon its predecessors with increased tube gain and the addition of the company’s “3 Dimensional Power Management” circuitry (3DPM), which adds heft and girth to...
Bass Technique: Shifting and the Feeling of Lightness
Accurate shifting is extremely important on an upright bass. It may even be the one technique we use the most often. Most other string instruments can play a few two-octave scales without shifting, while we can play a grand total of zero, even if we “pivot.” Despite how often we must execute flawless shift, for many it is a point...
John Mayer Trio with Pino Palladino, Live at the Crossroads Festival 2010
We’ve featured the John Mayer Trio performing this tune before, but had to share this version, from the 2010 Crossroads Festival. The band plays “Who Did You Think I Was”, ending with Hendrix’s “Power of Soul”. Pino Palladino can do no wrong! Drummer Steve Jordan is really bringing it too. This one has it all, including Bill Murray showing up...
Top 10: Isolated Bass Week, New School, David Ellefson Interview and the Top New Basses
Last week, we celebrated the greatest instrument ever with our Isolated Bass Week series. This was a major hit, with some legendary bass tracks from Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, John Entwistle, Wilton Felder, John Paul Jones, Chris Squire and James Jamerson, isolated in all their glory. They all made the top ten, so we included them all for the #1...
Pirastro Unveils Flexocor Deluxe Double Bass Strings
String company Pirastro has introduced a new set of double bass strings called the Flexocor Deluxe. Building upon their pre-existing Flexocor range, the Deluxe strings offer wider tonal range, longer sustain, and better overall playability. Pirastro explains that the Flexocor Deluxe’s structure allows the string to possess great resonance and “unsurpassed carrying power.” It’s core material is high-stability steel rope....
Rush Announces “Clockwork Angels” Tour; Release of First Video Single
Man, this has been a long time coming. Rush’s highly anticpated 20th studio album, Clockwork Angels will be released on June 12th (available for pre-order on CD and vinyl). The trio has just announced their tour dates in support of the new album, with stops in 33 cities in the U.S. and Canada, beginning in September. Clockwork Angels is the...
The Four Tops: “Standing In The Shadows Of Love” – James Jamerson’s Isolated Bass (Isolated Bass Week)
We’re wrapping up our “Isolated Bass Week” with the master, James Jamerson. Here’s the isolated bass track for the 1966 Four Tops hit, “Standing In The Shadows Of Love”. ‘Nuff said.
Eivind Opsvik Releases “Overseas IV”
Norwegian bassist Eivind Opsvik has released Overseas IV, the fourth album in a series he started nearly a decade ago. Entirely written by Opsvik, the album brings together styles for an eclectic sound influenced by the 1700s and 1800s. The ensemble includes bass, drums, saxophone, electric guitar, and most notably, harpsichord. “In many ways it all came together and set...
Ibanez Releases SR 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Basses
Announced at the 2012 Winter NAMM show, Ibanez is now shipping their 25th anniversary of their SR model basses. The SR 25th Anniversary Limited Edition bass series includes a 4- and 5-string edition, both premium model basses built at Ibanez’s “Premium factory”. The basses sport a Padauk top. The company says the wood’s “subtle reddish hue has long captivated fine...
Jazz Soul Seven Releases “Impressions of Curtis Mayfield”
Without a doubt, Curtis Mayfield was one of the most influential soul artists that walked the planet. His remarkable compositions included some of the grooviest bass lines. A new all-star cast of musicians calling themselves Jazz Soul Seven is now honoring the late guitarist/vocalist’s music with Impressions of Curtis Mayfield, a 12-track album of jazz interpretations of his music. Rooted...
The Beatles: “A Day in the Life” – Paul McCartney’s Isolated Bass (Isolated Bass Week)
We’ve heard from a lot of readers who think that Paul McCartney is one of the most underrated bassists of all time. Well, you can judge for yourself in today’s isolated track, which includes both McCartney’s bass and Ringo Starr’s drums on “A Day in the Life”, the last track on the 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band....