News - Page 404

Return to Forever has announced the their US dates to their World Tour, which will span August and September. Bass giant Stanley Clarke, who turns 60 in June, will be joining returning members Chick Corea and Lenny White as well as new members Frank Gambale and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty for the trek with the band, dubbed “Return to Forever IV”....

The Foo Fighters, anchored by bassist Nate Mendel, has announced a U.S. tour spanning September in support of their latest effort, Wasting Light. The album is is their first in four years, following 2007’s Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace. Mendel says the new record has the group getting back to basics. “The last couple of albums in particular, we were...

David Hughes has released his fourth solo album, entitled Hopeful Romantic. The album features ten of the bassist’s original tunes, revolving around jazz, funk, and jazz/rock fusion. While the bass gets a lot of time to shine on melodies and solos, the album’s tone centers more around the ensemble playing and the compositions. Hughes pulled out his arsenal of basses...

Bassist Alex Bershadsky has released his latest solo effort, Anonymous. The 8-track album is full of Bershadsky’s fusion compositions, with heavy influences from jazz, funk, and R&B. The final two tracks are his arrangements of the traditional song “Ma’oz Tzur,” on which he plays solo bass, and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The band on the album proves its versatility...

As we reported back in March, the original members of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones have reunited to record Rocket Science, released today. Pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy returned to the group for the first time since 1991, with bassist Victor Wooten, percussionist/drummer Roy “Futureman” Wooten and banjoist and leader Bela Fleck. The group wanted to avoid doing the “reunion thing”,...

Peter Hook’s The Light has released their debut 4-track EP on the bassist’s Hacienda Records label. 1102/2011 includes the group covering classic Joy Division songs, including a first ever recording of the previously unfinished song “Pictures in My Mind.” The song was discovered on a recovered rehearsal tape stolen from the band in 1977. Hook, who was the original Joy...

Organizers for The Rocky Mountain Bass Slam have announced their next event will be held on Saturday, May 21st in Boulder, Colorado. The event is “a celebration of Colorado Bass Talent of all styles”, and will feature headliners/clinicians Chuck Rainey, Doug Johns, Bryan Beller and Kai Eckhart. The clinicians will demonstrate various groove and rhythm techniques, offer advice on practicing...

Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes has released a new soulful solo album, Man in Motion. For the project, Haynes explains he made a “wishlist” of band members, including the Meters’ George Porter Jr. on bass. The legendary New Orleans bassist’s groove permeates the album’s 10 soul-laden tracks, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the group. Besides the Meters...

Guitarist Steve Khan has released his latest effort, Parting Shot, a percussion-driven album recorded with the help of bassist Anthony Jackson. Khan, who began his musical career in the 70’s, formed a quartet in 1981 dubbed “Eyewitness”, including himself, Jackson on bass, Manolo Badrena on percussion and Steve Jordan on drums. This recording features the latest line-up for Eyewitness, with...

JaMuzic New York is presenting BassBreak Live! this year on May 14th in Falls Church, Virginia. The event is a day of bass-centric activities including performances, clinics and giveaways. Instructors include Adam Nitti, Ace Livingston, Bryan Beller, Terrance Palmer, and David Dyson, who will all give lectures between one and two hours. Pavel de la Fuente of Pavel Musical Instruments...

Soundgarden has unveiled their full summer 2011 tour dates, which are set to span the US and Canada. Anchored by bass hero Ben Shepherd, the band will be joined by Coheed and Cambria, The Mars Volta, Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon, and the Meat Puppets. Soundgarden reformed early last year after a 13-year split. Besides a “best of” album,...

Hal Leonard’s 38th book in their Bass Play-Along series, Bob Marley: Bass Play-Along, features eight songs by the legendary singer/songwriter. Each song is presented in tab format. The book ships with an accompanying CD, which can be played in any CD player. The CD also runs on Windows and mac, allowing the player to adjust the recording’s tempo without changing...