New Albums - Page 199

The Jelly Jam, a prog-rock trio featuring Dream Theater’s John Myung on bass, has had its first two albums re-released as high-resolution MP3 downloads on the Molken Music website. The band, rounded out by King’s X guitarist/vocalist Ty Tabor and Dixie Dregs drummer Rod Morgenstein, put out their eponymous debut in 2002 followed by The Jelly Jam 2 in 2004....

Stu Hamm has just released a new solo album, entitled Just Outside of Normal. The album, which is his first studio album in ten years, is a somewhat eclectic mix of songs ranging from a rock to classical to swing. There’s even a polka! Hamm recruited an all-star cast of musicians to back him up including Joe Satriani, Robert Fripp,...

Iron Maiden is the focus of the newest Interview Sessions series of documentary-styled albums. The band, anchored by metal bass hero Steve Harris, is examined on the disc through a collection of lengthy interviews with each member, with topics ranging from touring and music to their personal lives. The 8 tracks of contain 68 minutes of various question and answer...

Solo bassist Grant Stinnett has released his first solo CD, Aspiration. Stinnett has captured the attention of several of the bassists he credits as inspiration, including Michael Manring, Matt Garrison, Steve Bailey and Rob Gourlay. “Grant draws many colors out of the bass to make pleasing and engaging music,” Manring shares. “I think he has a bright future!” After taking...

Spanish Flamenco bassist Antonio Ramos ‘Maca’ has released a new solo album, Mira Que Te Diga, which translates to “Let Me Tell You.” The 10-track LP is his first solo release, though he has worked with the top Spanish names in Flamenco, from Vicente Amigo to Raimundo Amador. Antonio is also adept at funk and jazz, as evidenced by his...

Edo Castro has just released his third solo album, entitled Sacred Graffiti. The CD showcases Castro’s innovative bass looping and use of the Ebow to create introspective and artful songs. For the album, Castro called upon his Expandable Trio, consisting of guitarist Erik Lindquist and drummer Alex Aspinall, as well as bass virtuosos Michael Manring, David Friesen and Percy Jones....

Bassist Steve Uccello has been working with Australian percussionist/composer Nat Grant throughout the past year, and the duo has just released an album entitled Melbourne, Monterey. The 8-track collection features an array of string and percussion instruments with a healthy dose of electronics and sound effects to create a cool ambient vibe. The album name comes from the places it...

Jazz bassist Anthony Crawford has released his debut CD, Urban Jazz, on Hydro 6 Records. The 11-track album is exactly what the title implies: a cool hybrid of Jazz, hip-hop, pop, funk, and smooth listening. The opening track and lead single, “Windy Days,” is a great R&B flavored tune with a bass melody that lets Crawford’s 6-string Roscoe really sing....

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have compiled a new book, chronicling their 27-year existence together as a band. The 256 page book, entitled An Oral/Visual History by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is a compilation of their triumphs and tribulations as they worked their way up from the Los Angeles underground scene to headlining arena shows. It includes stories told...

A new biography on former Beatles bassist Paul McCartney, penned by Howard Sounes, has just been released by Da Capo Press. Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney offers an extremely detailed look at the bassist’s life, from childhood to fame with the Fab Four, post-Beatles career and up through modern day. The 656-page book includes more than 200 interviews...

Jazz bassist Boris Kozlov has released a new solo bass CD, Double Standard, featuring a mix of originals and jazz standards. The entire album is made of single-take, solo bass tracks with the exception of “RGB/Self Portrait in 3 Colors,” which has the bassist layering arco tracks on the Charles Mingus ballad. That track is especially poignant since the entire...

Bunny Brunel has released his latest instructional DVD, this time focusing on slap bass. Slap Bass, a 50-minute, region-free DVD, includes basic slapping technique, popping and hammer-ons, and other tricks to enhance a player’s slap technique. A variety of exercises are demonstrated as well. Here’s a preview: Slap Bass is available on Brunel’s store as well as Amazon.