News - Page 380

Columbia is putting together some terrific “Collection” box sets for bassists and bass enthusiasts. Among those is Charles Mingus – the Complete Columbia & RCA Albums Collection, a 10-disc set spanning seven titles by the late bassist and composer. The set starts with Tijuana Moods, the lone RCA release in the collection, recorded in 1957 and released in 1962 as...

Ray Riendeau’s new project, “Star Monarchy”, has released their debut album, entitled Volume 1. Written and produced by the bassist himself, the new album covers metal, modern rock, and progressive styles with a plethora of artists from their respected rock genres. Riendeau, whose own resume includes laying down the low end for Rob Halford and Dream Theater singer James Labrie,...

Esperanza Spalding will be taking a quick break from her Radio Music Society World Tour for a few dates with Us Five, a jazz quintet led by saxophonist Joe Lovano. The group, filled out by James Weidman, Otis Brown III, and Francisco Mela, will be playing at Scullers in Boston and the Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Festival in Columbia,...

Columbia Records “Complete” box set series rolls on this summer with the introduction of another Weather Report-focused release. Weather Report: The Complete Columbia Albums 1971-1975 kicks off with the legendary group’s original line up, anchored by bassist Miroslav Vitous, and ends up the group’s second incarnation, with bassist Alphonso Johnson. The set packages together remastered versions of Weather Report’s first...

For more than four decades, Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen has been a foundation in the sound of ECM Records. His recordings for the label include work with Bill Frisell, Kenny Wheeler, Paul Motian and many others. Now, the bassist has just released Celebration, an album consisting of music from ECM’s catalog. The six track collection features Andersen as the lead...

Sad news to report… Hot Tuna has canceled the last three scheduled dates for their Steady As She Goes tour. A representative for the band sent us this note today: “Jack Casady‘s wife, longtime love Diana, is in the late stages of a rare form of cancer. She has fought an amazing fight for over ten years. It is with...

Primus is kicking off a “first-ever traveling 3D enhanced live musical” tour in October, featuring two sets per evening the band promises will be “a one-of-a-kind psychedelic experience”. Every show will feature Quad Surround Sound too. The 22-date tour kicks off October 12 in Poughkeepsie, NY and ends on November 10 in Miami, Florida. Primus debuted the video for “Lee...

The Gaddabouts is a band with an interesting mix of musicians. Founded by drummer Steve Gadd in 2011, the band includes bassist Pino Palladino, guitarist Andy Fairweather Low and vocalist Edie Brickell. The band has announced their second album, Look Out Now!, releasing on September 25, 2012. The double-disc recording features 17 tracks recorded by the band in New York...

The co-headlining tour between metal giants Lamb of God and Dethklok with support from Gojira has been cancelled due to Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe’s continued incarceration in the Czech Republic. The tour, which was to feature low-end goodness from Lamb of God’s John Campbell, Gojira’s Jean-Michel Labadie, and Bryan Beller (aka Dethklok’s Murderface), has no plans to reschedule...

Bassist Sean O’Bryan Smith has released Reflection, a twelve-track collection of hymnals, spirituals, and gospel tunes arranged with a “soul-jazz groove.” More than a soul record, the bassist says the effort mirrors his own career. “Reflection is a tribute not only to great hymns and worship tunes, but also a nod to where I’ve come from as a musician and...

Late next month, the Brecker Brothers’ entire Arista Records catalog will be released in a new box set format. The Brecker Brothers: The Complete Arista Albums Collection collects the group’s six albums released on Arista between 1975 and 1981. None of the albums have ever been released on CD in the US. During the span of those albums, the Brecker...

In 2009, Los Angeles bassist Steve Fishman discovered a vintage Ampeg amp that may just be the find of the century. Stenciled on the back of the amp was the name of the Motown bass legend, James Jamerson. Fishman, who has recorded with Paul McCartney, decided to try to get this story investigated, to see if this amp is indeed...