Buzz
Talking Style: G-Funk – Part 2
I want to continue the “G-Funk” exploration in this episode by taking a look at the 1995 cut “Safe & Sound” by DJ Quik. This song is a prime example of having a part from a record re-played as opposed to sampling it. This gives the producer so much more freedom in terms of what elements can be added or...
Stuart Clayton: Giants of Bass – Stuart Hamm
Stuart Clayton is really making lots of progress on his new edition of Giants of Bass. This time around, Clayton is focusing his attention on Stuart Hamm. “This track was written in the style of the instrumental jazz/rock tunes that Stuart recorded on his first three albums back in the late eighties and early nineties,” Clayton shared. “It features open...
Berklee Bass Professors Craft Bass Instruction Book
Three Berklee College of Music bass professors have written a new book about playing jazz bass, simply called Berklee Jazz Bass: Acoustic & Electric. The writers – bass chair emeritus Rich Appleman and bass professors Whit Browne and Bruce Gertz – are longtime faculty members at the Boston college, and between them have mentored artists like Esperanza Spalding, Bryan Beller,...
Peter Hook and the Light Embark on North American “Substance” Tour
Peter Hook and the Light are returning to North America this Fall to perform the works of Joy Division and New Order. The trek will have the bassist revisit his former bands by performing Joy Division and New Order’s compilation albums Substance live, sequentially and in their entireties. “Released in August 1987, New Order’s Substance was originally conceived as a...
Bass Transcription: Jaco Pastorius’s Bass Line on Weather Report’s “Night Passage”
Today we will be tackling Jaco Pastorius’s bass line on the title track from Weather Report’s 1980 album, Night Passage. This is one of the best Weather Report albums. To me, it always sounds fresh and modern, like a timeless record. The group also includes drummer Peter Erskine and percussionist Robert Thomas Jr, who sound very tight together. In this...
Zander Zon: Gladiator Medley
Zander Zon is back with another epic solo bass performance of a movie soundtrack. This time, he takes on music from Gladiator.
Led Zeppelin’s BBC Sessions Expands in Revised Release
Led Zeppelin has re-released its 1997 BBC sessions collection as the The Complete BBC Sessions, featuring eight previously unreleased sessions from BBC radio. All the recordings of the band, featuring bassist John Paul Jones, were captured during BBC radio performances between 1969 and 1971. The previously unreleased recordings include three performances from a 1969 session once believed to be lost....
Jens Ritter Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Coffee Table Book
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of Jens Ritter Instruments, and the bass maker is celebrating with a commemorative book of his work. “I started my career as an instrument maker in 1996. Now in September 2016 I am celebrating my 20th anniversary with a coffee table book with pictures of my favorite instruments from the last 20 years,” Ritter...
What Makes a Good Bassist?
Q: I was wondering what – in your opinion – makes a good bassist? A: This will be the most subjective article I’ve ever written, most likely, and I imagine that many of you will have a different view by one degree or another. There are many valid view points to be shared. I think that phrasing is important. In...
Alex Bershadsky, Oz Noy, Nathaniel Townsley & Kama Kamila: POP-001
Alex Bershadsky has teased his upcoming album with a new video for the song, “POP-001”. Besides the bassist’s incredible strumming and slap playing, the tune features heavyweight musicians with guitarist Oz Noy, drummer Nathaniel Townsley, and vocalist Kama Kamila. If this is any indicator of its direction, we’re really looking forward to the new album!
Shirley Horn’s Trio Featured on Newly Released 1988 Live Set
A live performance from the late, great jazz vocalist and pianist Shirley Horn has been remastered and released as Live at the 4 Queens. The May 2, 1988 show at the 4 Queens Hotel & Casino featured Horn in her longstanding trio of bassist Charles Ables (d. 2001, and who switched from guitar to bass to join her group) and...
Reader Spotlight: Chuck Bailey
To say Chuck Bailey is enthusiastic would be an understatement… and for good reason. After his dad influenced Chuck to play bass, he’s pursued it with passion. Today, he’s building a name for himself in Vegas. Chuck is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: Chuck Bailey, former bassist for Kid Deposit Triumph and Hired...