News - Page 258

Minimalistic, experimental French jazz-pop lounge duo What a Day has released a new EP, Specimen. In keeping with the duo’s established style, the music is primarily defined by Jonathan Joly‘s double bass, singer Léah Gracie’s vocals and more quotidian sounds, like adding machine keys being depressed. Check out the whole EP at SoundCloud. Here’s the track, “Open Space”:

The genesis of bassist/multi-instrumentalist Evan Marien’s new EP comes from a slightly unusual place. The instrumental electronic hip hop record, simply titled EP1, is inspired by 8-bit Nintendo music, according to the website for Marien, whose work is regularly featured in No Treble. EP1 is available at Bandcamp. Preview EP1: EP1 by EMAR EP1 Track List: Knives Dungeon Lines Decode...

Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo has shared a little more insight into the band’s upcoming album Hardwired… to Self Destruct, due November 18th. The first single, entitled “Hardwired”, was released to fans and Trujillo says its a good indicator of what’s to come. “‘Hardwired’ is the perfect statement to lead into this body of music. I think this album sounds crushing,”...

Iconoclastic bass-piano-drums jazz trio The Bad Plus – known for its unexpected cover versions of songs – has released its 11th album, It’s Hard, an album exclusively composed of covers. The record, featuring Reid Anderson on bass, showcases the trio’s take on a wide variety of pop, prog rock, country, and alt-rock tunes. According to NPR’s First Listen, the band’s...

Bass phenom MonoNeon has dropped two new original songs on Bandcamp. “Strawberry Fields” and “Love Game Ain’t Free” showcase the bassist’s signature funk-minimalism and low fidelity composition/production style. He played all the instruments and even sang the lyrics. “For some reason the inspiration for the new songs came from watching the classic 1976 film ‘Car Wash’ and having surrealistic feelings...

Legendary jazz double bassist Ron Carter remains busy as he approaches 80, playing on trombonist Steve Turre’s latest, Colors for the Masters. The album has already netted a glowing review at All About Jazz, which called it one of Turre’s “best releases in years.” It also acknowledges the iconic bassist, noting “if you can’t pick out a Ron Carter bass...

Grammy award-winning bassist Derrick Hodge, who has worked with Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, Jill Scott and Maxwell, has released his sophomore solo album, appropriately titled, The Second. Hodge played the majority of the instruments on the album, which he not only composed, but also produced. “I wanted to create something that exposed myself artistically, with a heartbeat for the people....

If you’ve been fiending for some new Thundercat, you’re in luck. The bass virtuoso has just dropped a new single called “Bus in These Streets”, and it’s got all the quirky-yet-catchy aspects he’s known for. The song’s bouncy bass line holds the groove while chimes give the song a happy-go-lucky vibe. Thundercat’s lyrics, however, are a commentary on the effect...

Hip hop trio De La Soul has released its ninth full-length album and the Anonymous Nobody… It’s the first album in four years for the veteran group, whose creative power is still formidable, according to a review of the album in Spin, which says, “Every note of Nobody feels driven by the ingenuity of three artists for whom creative spirit...

A new compilation album from English band Level 42, fronted by Mark King, known for his slap-and-pop bass playing style, is available. Collected features all the band’s singles, including 1980s hits like “Lessons in Love” and “Something About You,” as well as 11 12-inch remixes. Collected is available in the U.S. as an set. Collected Track List: Disc 1: Sandstorm...

Ohio-based extreme metal outfit Skeletonwitch has released an EP, The Apothic Gloom. The four-song EP from the group, with Evan Linger on bass, includes the 7-minute closer, “Red Death, White Light.” In a recent interview with Heavy Blog Is Heavy, Linger noted some of his bass influences. Not surprisingly, Steve Harris of Iron Maiden and Motörhead’s Lemmy made the list,...

Swedish metal band Sabaton has released its 8th studio album, The Last Stand. The band, featuring founding bassist Pär Sundström, is known for its focus on historical battles, which also defines the content on The Last Stand – one Sundström calls “a majestic record.” Conflicts explored on the album include the Battle of Thermopylae (“Sparta”), the Battle of Bannockburn (“Blood...