Buzz
Brad Russell and Aquiles Priester: Metal Improved
Brad Russell sent in this killer duo with Brazilian drummer Aquiles Priester for the bassist’s song “Metal Improved,” and it’s a bombshell. Russell has an absolutely gnarly tone to complement his face-melting licks, while Priester adds his own flair to the metal groove. If you’re a fan of heavy grooves and bass fireworks, you’re sure to dig this one.
Omer Avital Releases “Abutbul Music”
Virtuoso jazz bassist Omer Avital has released his 10th solo album, Abutbul Music. The Israel-born bassist, who has called New York home since 1992, is known for combining Middle Eastern sounds with western jazz. The Paris-recorded Abutbul Music continues in this vein with the musician — often acknowledged as one of the most unique of his generation — pairing joyful...
Rock N’ Roll Relics Announces Thunders Bass
Rock N’ Roll Relics has unveiled the Thunders Bass, a short-scale bass oozing with old school flavor. The instrument is their first set-neck bass model and comes in a variety of colors and aging. Made in the USA, the Thunders is created with a two-piece, lightweight African mahogany body, an African mahogany neck, and a rosewood fingerboard fitted with Jescar...
Simon Fitzpatrick: Hoedown Bass Playalong
Simon Fitzpatrick is back with another epic video. In this one, he pays tribute to the late great Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Fitzpatrick tackles the melody from the band’s version of Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown” on his Sei Bass Flamboyant 6 bass.
Book Aims to Help You Create Bass Lines
Using examples from some of rock’s top bassists, you can compose your own bass lines, according to Steve Gorenburg’s book from Hal Leonard, “How to Create Rock Bass Lines.” The book takes bassists like Paul McCartney, John Paul Jones, Flea and John Entwistle as examples as it also teaches the essentials of finding the beat, pentatonic scale riffs, rock chord...
Kyser Introduces Instrument Cleaning Wipes
Some people keep their basses dirty, standing by James Jamerson’s sentiment that the “gunk keeps the funk.” If you’re not one of those people, Kyser has introduced a new line of instrument care products to clean up your axe. The lineup includes three types of disposable wipes – String Cleaning, Polish, and Lem-Oil – to freshen up your bass. Each...
G&L Unveils USA JB-5 Bass
G&L has been making made-in-Fullerton jazz basses for about 10 years, but they’ve now expanded the US-made line to include a five-string. The G&L JB-5 adds a low B-string with a fast neck featuring a 1.775″ nut width and slim rear profile. The bolt-on bass is built with an alder body for standard and solid finishes or a swamp ash...
B’ANG Duet: Teen Town
The B’ANG Duet, comprised of double bass monsters Petros Klampanis and Or Bareket, have unleashed their second offering with their take on the classic Jaco Pastorius song “Teen Town”. It’s already a feat to play the blistering melody on upright, but the two bassists make it look easy while using a shaker and loop pedal to fill out the whole...
Kenny James Is Ready to Float on Latest Album
Bassist Kenny James, who has created music for television and film, has released his third album under the moniker he uses for production work — Invisiblemann. James plays all the instruments on all but three tracks of Invisiblemann Volume 10: Ready to Float. Invisiblemann Volume 10: Ready to Float is available on James’ website and at CDBaby. Check out the...
Bass Transcription: Mattia La Maida’s Solo Bass Arrangement of David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust”
When David Bowie passed away, I wanted to pay tribute with a solo bass arrangement of one of his songs. I personally consider Bowie one of the greatest artists in the world. He was in fact a great musician, actor, and painter. Among other things, the eclectic nature of his music was characterized by the creation of several different imaginary...
Richard Bona: Live Bass Solo
Here’s a great clip of Richard Bona performing a live bass solo. So tasty. I love saxophonist Stefano di Battista’s reaction to his playing throughout.
Pro Bassist’s Books for Beginners Combined
London-based professional bassist Phil Mulford’s two books on beginner bass guitar have been merged into one complete edition, “Absolute Beginners: Bass Guitar-Omnibus Edition.” Mulford is an author and teacher with extensive studio, television, stage and advertising work to his credit. The book is designed for anyone looking to begin playing, filled with practical advice, plenty of clear photos, and a...