Buzz
Ansir Introduces Imperial and Imperial SL Basses
Ansir Music has unveiled all-new designs for their custom basses, with the introduction of the Imperial line. The Imperial and Imperial SL models feature ergonomic contouring and the company’s patented “Ansir Industry Standard Playing Angle,” which puts the neck in a more natural playing position. While the two models are very similar, Ansir founder Jody Michael explained the SL (or...
Jack Bruce Documentary: On Life & Music (2012)
BBC 2-Scotland recently aired this hour-long documentary on the life and music of bassist Jack Bruce. The documentary includes interviews with Bootsy Collins, U2’s Adam Clayton and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, as well as Bruce’s band mates Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. Bruce returned to Scotland for the documentary, and re-recorded six songs he calls pivotal to his...
Petros Klampanis: Solo Double Bass Arrangement of Skylark
Petros Klampanis sent us this video of his solo bass arrangement for the jazz standard ballad “Skylark.” This track is also featured on his solo debut album, Contextual. Klampanis plays the head in a “Boleroish” way before busting out the looper at the end for a mesmerizing vamp.
L’il Brats Bass Method
Bassist and private instructor Brian Emmel has been teaching bass for over 20 years. As he set out to teach young kids how to play the bass, he realized there was nothing on the market that suited them. So he decided to write L’il Brats Bass Method, a method book designed for kids 9 years and up. “In the last...
N-Audio Introduces Tube Preamp DI Box
Bulgarian boutique electronics company N-Audio has released a new Tube Preamp DI Box. Built to expand the abilities of a DI to include a preamp, the device features a pair of tubes and an output transformer with two independent secondary coils that allow for two balanced outputs: one XLR and one 1/4?. The guys at N-Audio explain the preamp is...
Repeat After Me: Metronomes (and Drum Machines) Are Fun
First things first, I’m not trying to open a “metronome debate.” I’m also not trying to lecture people about using (or not using) a metronome during their practice sessions. Instead, I’m going to shed some light on why and how metronomes can be useful tools when it comes to practicing and experimenting with your instrument. We’ll examine the differences between...
Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood: Chank, Live (1997)
Oh so good… Here’s the trio known as Medeski Martin & Wood teaming up with John Scofield at the 1997 North Sea Jazz Festival. This was the year the quartet first got together, performing on Scofield’s A Go Go album, which helped MMW gain broader exposure. In this performance, bassist Chris Wood is holding down one sweet groove on his...
Iron Maiden Announces Maiden England North American Tour
Iron Maiden will be taking North America by storm once again this summer with the Maiden England tour. The trek marks the third outing in the History of Iron Maiden tour series, and will closely mirror their original 1988 Maiden England concert video of the same name, by recreating the production and content. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson says the band enjoys...
Bass of the Week: Atlansia Solitaire
There’s been an on-going discussion about what constitutes a bass, and specifically how more than four strings is “breaking the rules.” Well, what if there’s only one string? Enter the Atlansia Solitaire. Based in Nagano, Atlansia is known for outlandish designs – so much so that their website has to specify that the instruments are “Made in Japan on Planet...
Custom Shop: Wilkins Guitars
Pat Wilkins of Wilkins Guitars is a man who can appreciate the Old School. After getting his start in amps in the ’70s, he soon switched to guitar building, where he eventually started his own brand. Most recently, Wilkins has turned to recreating vintage basses, right down to the smallest detail. Of course, his work also includes custom work and...
Richard Bona: “Solo de Slap”, Live (2004)
Richard Bona is not only a phenomenal bassist, he’s the complete musician. Here’s Richard and his band performing in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain in 2004. Of course, there’s plenty of amazing bass and singing, plus a nifty slap solo in between.
Spectrum Road, Featuring Jack Bruce, Announce Album and Summer Tour
While supergroups seem to be forming left and right these days, this one has got our attention. Spectrum Road is a band consisting of bass legend Jack Bruce, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, drummer Cindy Blackman-Santana and keyboardist John Medeski of Medeski, Martin and Wood. The group originally played together in 2008 as the Tony Williams Lifetime Tribute band, and a...