Buzz
Damian Coccio: Cliffs of Aquinnah
Damian Coccio is back with a new tune, called “Cliffs of Aquinnah,” which is planned to be part of his next solo bass album coming out this year.
Rancid Returns with “Trouble Maker”
Legendary punk band Rancid has returned with their ninth album, Trouble Maker. Anchored by bass freak Matt Freeman, the 19-song collection runs from blistering riffs to ska-infused jams. Freeman’s lines continue to be rooted in driving the song while bringing a melodic element to the grooves. For proof, check out the band playing the album (in the video below). Trouble...
Bass of the Week: Bogart Bass Sport V Headless
This week we’re checking out a slick headless, five-string version of the Bogart Bass Sport model. Built for Michael Klöckner, the bass is a modified version of their already lightweight Sport, which features a carbon fiber neck and an interesting body design. It’s a Blackstone synthetic body shell that is injected with a light weight filling foam. This particular bass...
Talking Technique: Why Practice Technique?
As musicians, wouldn’t it make sense to focus exclusively on musical applications and learn by practicing mainly songs? Why isolate technique drills and put so much focus on the mechanics, seemingly devoid of any musical context? Why waste an opportunity to build ears and creative skills at the same time and instead reduce practice to apparently mindless, non-creative and non-musical...
Franklin Peredo: Rhythms From The Hippocampus
If you’re friends with Franklin Peredo on Facebook, you know he’s had a new video in the works, featuring a brand new tune. Well, today is the day. Here’s Franklin performing “Rhythms From The Hippocampus,” which as always showcases his impressive right hand technique (and composition skills). Enjoy.
Stuart Clayton: Giants of Bass – Mark King
Stuart Clayton released Giants of Bass – Volume 2 back in March, and the videos keep coming. In this one, Stuart takes on the Level 42 bassist Mark King in this track he wrote for the book. “This complex, slap-driven piece was written in the style of Mark’s early work with Level 42, and features all of his trademarks: sixteenth...
Fender Unveils CB-60SCE Acoustic Bass Guitar
Fender has introduced the Classic Design series that they say is aimed at the company’s acoustic tone and aesthetic at an affordable price. The lineup includes the CB-60SCE, an acoustic bass guitar featuring a slim-taper neck profile and rolled fingerboard edges for playability. Its concert-bass body is built with a solid spruce top with mahogany for the back and sides....
Kromosons: #3.3
Kromosons is a creative music project which features the bass wizardry of Federico Malaman. They’ve just shared the “third chapter of the third season” of the project, which features some excellent musicianship all around. Enjoy.
Soul Fish: An Interview with Carey Nordstrand
As an instrument builder and pickup maker, Carey Nordstrand has helped scores of musicians find their voice in their tone. Now he’s getting to share his own musical voice with a new release by his band, Moba Jones. Soul Fish is the culmination of musical experiences of Nordstrand and his musical compatriot Edward Heppenstall, whose influences range from Peter Gabriel...
Fates: Wonderful
I stumbled upon this video the other day of Fates, an all-women trio in Boston, and I was glad I did. “Although their voices are as distinct and unique – as their origins – when they sing together they create one united sound,” the video description reads. “With influences from The Staves, Lianne La Havas and Emily King, their sound...
Bakithi Kumalo Anchors New Paul Simon “The Concert in Hyde Park” DVD
In 2012, Paul Simon reunited with his Graceland musicians to perform special concert at the Hard Rock Calling Festival in London. Held at Hyde Park, the concert also featured special appearances by Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Jimmy Cliff. The whole cast was anchored by the unshakeable bass grooves of Bakithi Kumalo. Luckily, it’s been released on DVD. Kumalo,...
Ibanez Announces Six-String Fretless Portamento Bass
Ibanez announced the expansion of their Portamento Fretless bass series with a six-string version. The SRF706 will retain the features of its four and five-string predecessors while adding a high C string. The bass is built with neck-through construction featuring a five-piece maple and bubinga neck, mahogany body wings, and a rosewood fingerboard. Ibanez fits it with a pair of...