Buzz
Brother Strut: Shake Your Money
Brother Strut is a British Funk/Soul band I recently discovered on Facebook. The band is set to release their album, Shake Your Money next week, and they released the video for the title track recently. Jamiroquai’s Paul Turner lays down one funky groove on this one.
Neil Young Releases “Roxy: Tonight’s The Night Live”
Neil Young’s “Ditch” era after the success of 1972’s Harvest produced some of the most emotionally heavy and raw music of his career. Central to the set of albums referred to as the “Ditch Trilogy” is 1975’s Tonight’s the Night, a reflection on drug abuse and the loss of his friends. Guitarist Danny Whitten and roadie Bruce Berry had both...
Bass of the Week: Devil’s Choice EvilOak
This week we’re checking out a bass from the dark side. The Devil’s Choice EvilOak is a unique bass that brings together several aspects of their existing instruments. “The EvilOak is a custom project [based on] our Manticore model, and the term “EvilOak” was initially a fun name for that particular bass,” Bernd Steuer of Devil’s Choice explains. “[We] put...
Talking Technique: Short-Scale Bass Shedding
Short-scale basses have recently enjoyed a bit of a resurgence – be it as an alternate tool in a pro’s kit or as a main axe chosen for its sound, lightweight, easy playability and hip factor. In this episode, we’ll explore some right-hand, left-hand, and coordination drills that will help you wrap your mind around the shorter scale. I’m using...
Bravo Victor: Fire and Ice
Bassist Jonathon Burgess sent us his latest video from his bass and vocals duo, Bravo Victor. “Since releasing their EP in May last year Newcastle bass and voice duo ‘Bravo Victor’ have been tirelessly playing shows on the East Coast of Australia,” they share. “‘Fire and Ice’ has become a crowd favourite at Bravo Victor’s performances and their recent live...
Reuben Rogers Anchors Joey Alexander’s “Eclipse”
Piano prodigy Joey Alexander has spent the past few years blowing everyone’s minds with his off the charts playing. Now the fourteen-year-old has returned with Eclipse, an eleven-song album that mixes his original compositions with jazz standards and gospel. The album is pinned together by bassist Reuben Rogers, who creates a solid rhythm section alongside drummer Elrick Harland. Check out...
Waggi Launches New Line of Pedalboards
Colombia’s Waggi Pedalboards has launched their business with a new line of pedalboards. Available in three sizes, the boards feature an integrated tidy cable system and a two-tier design for laying out your pedals. Each pedalboard is built with 14-gauge lightweight aluminum with one-inch rubber feet. They also have a built-in storage area for power supplies, patch boxes, and fixed-setting...
Boldogh Guitars Builds EBS 30th Anniversary Bass
EBS is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year with a special bass built by Hungarian luthier Csaba Boldogh. The instrument is fitted with an EBS logo on the headstock as well as a custom EBS 30th Anniversary inlay at the twelfth fret. The seal is also found on the rear of the bass. Boldogh built the bass with a Hungarian...
ConeSoul: Pela Chuva
I’ve been really digging this band since my Facebook friend and bassist Ottoni de Leon shared some of their videos. ConeSoul calls themselves “a trio of instrumental pop music based on the groove!!!” Ottoni lays down a funky groove and takes a great solo break on this tune, “Pela Chuva.” This is tight!
Ron Carter Biography Now Available In Audiobook
Jazz master Ron Carter’s biography, Finding The Right Notes, is now available as an audiobook. Written by Dan Ouellette, the aural version is read by Carter himself and include musical intros to each chapter. Its total running time is over twelve hours. Finding The Right Notes chronicles Carter’s life from his beginnings in Michigan to his rise in the jazz...
Bass Players To Know: John Illsley
Following up the previous BPTK, (Rutger Gunnarrson), I found it only appropriate to highlight another late 1970’s popular music icon from across the pond. This time, we focus on the great John Illsley of Dire Straits. A longtime member of the band, his bass lines provide the perfect backdrop to Knopfler’s guitar playing and singing. Always aiming to serve the...
Blues Beatles: Can’t Buy Me Love
The Blues Beatles are back with another video, once again doing their own thing with a classic Beatles song. In this clip, they take on the Beatles’ 1964 hit, “Can’t Buy Me Love.” As always, Bruno Falcão lays down the low end.