Bass Player 2015 Vol.26 No10 October

b a s s p l ay e r. c o m

MUSIC & TAB

®

DURAN DURAN’S

JOHN TAYLOR

FOUR DECADES OF DANCE BASS DOMINANCE HAGAR BEN ARI LATE NIGHT TV’S HIPPEST GROOVE?

DAVID HUNGATE RETURNS TO TOTO

GEAR REVIEWS!

OCTOBER 2015 A N E W BAY M E D I A P U B L I CAT I O N

ESP BUNNY BRUNEL BASS ELIXIR NANOWEB STRINGS RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS RNDI

®

with HyDrive Speaker Technology

Hartke’s New Kickback KB12 and KB15 Bass Combos Hartke’s revamped Kickback Bass Combos provide an incredible 500 watts of Class D power. Available in two lightweight models, the new Kickback KB12 and KB15 now feature Hartke’s patented HyDrive paper/aluminum hybrid cone drivers that deliver the perfect combination of warmth and attack to complement any playing style. These Kickback combos are the new premium in portable bass amplification. © 2015 Hartke | hartke.com

THE MOST BASS-FRIENDLY DI EVER CREATED Portable and potent, the Ampeg SCR-DI is not your average DI box. It’s a true Ampeg preamp, with a huge range of classic Ampeg tones that includes the tone-shaping power of Ampeg’s famed Ultra-Hi and Ultra-Lo circuits. It’s a powerful overdrive stomp box, with the grit and grind you crave. It’s the ultimate practice tool, with phones out and aux in for solo, silent practice anywhere. And, yes…it’s a killer DI that ensures both you and front-ofhouse get every drop of your tone. Good bassists play in the pocket. The very best have Ampeg in their pocket wherever they go.

“

The SCR-DI has the punch, growl and low end of an SVT with the versatility

and rugged construction you expect from Ampeg. Looks like some other pedals are getting retired to make way for the new boss.

JUAN ALDERETE

T h e M ar s Vo l ta / D e l tr o n 3030 / Pe da l G o d w w w. p ed al s an d e ffe c ts.c o m

”

THE ROUND SOUND ampeg.com Copyright © 2015 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.

PLAY

LEARN

C ontents |

Volume 26, Number 10

|

b a s s p l ay e r . c o m

TECH

OCTOBER 2015

D B

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LINK

FACE

D E PA RT M E N T s

10

22 66

12

BAss NoTEs

14

S

T W

COMMUNITY Lowdown, the Real World, Dig My Rig, Court of Opinion NEW GEAR G&L, Eden, Orange & more BOBBY'S BASSMENT The many faces of amps & cabinets MIChAEl PIPOqUINhA From YouTube to the world stage BRYAN BEllER Juggling hats with Joe Satriani and the Aristocrats

JIMMY LESLIE

24

JohN Taylor

16

BP RECOMMENDS

42

ESP Bunny Brunel basses

30

DaViD huNgaTe

Hungate is back with his life-long friends and colleagues in the world-class pop outfit Toto. By Rick Suchow

36

hagar beN ari

Anchoring the quirky, sizzling house quintet for The Late Late Show With James Corden. By Chris Jisi

52

souNDRooM

JT inspired a generation of bassists with his audacious lines and tones for Duran Duran—and these days, he’s also rocking a Minimoog synth. By Jon D’Auria

44 RUPERT NEvE DESIGNS

DoN grolNick’s “pools”

RNDI direct box

46 ElIxIR Nanoweb steel

Will lee’s phrasing and expressive vibrato turn this 1985 fusion classic into a legitimate bass anthem. By Chris Jisi & Jason Long

KRISTIN BuRNS

Bass Player (ISSN 1050-785X) is published 13 times a year, monthly plus a Holiday issue to follow the December issue, by NewBay Media LLC, 1111 Bayhill Drive, Suite 440, San Bruno, CA 94066. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Bruno, CA and at additional mailing offices. Canadian GST No. R13288078, Customer No. 2116057, Agreement No. 40011901. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Bass Player, Box 469069, Escondido, CA 92046.

6

bassplayer.com / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5

WooDshED

Cover photo by Kristin Burns

strings

48 JAzz CONCEPTS Inspiration from beyond the bass 50 BlUES YOU CAN USE The juicy “boogaloo zone”

www.bassplayer.com Vol. 26, No. 10, October 2015 Editorial Director Michael Molenda, [email protected] Editor Chris Jisi, [email protected] Consulting Editor Karl Coryat Senior Contributing Editors E. E. Bradman, Jonathan Herrera Contributing Editor Ed Friedland Web and Contributing Editor Jon D'Auria Staff Writer Jimmy Leslie Art Director Paul Haggard Assistant Art Director Laura Nardozza Production Manager Amy Santana Advertising Director, Eastern Region, Midwest & Europe Jeff Donnenwerth, [email protected], (212) 378-0466 Advertising Director, Western Region & Asia Mari Deetz [email protected], (650) 238-0344 Advertising Sales, Eastern Accounts Anna Blumenthal [email protected], (646) 723-5404 Specialty Sales Advertising Jon Brudner [email protected], (917) 281-4721 THE NEWBAY MUSIC GROUP VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Bill Amstutz GROUP PUBLISHER: Bob Ziltz SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST: Bob Jenkins PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT MANAGER: Beatrice Kim GROUP MARKETING DIRECTOR: Christopher Campana SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER: Stacy Thomas FULFILLMENT COORDINATOR: Ulises Cabrera OFFICES SERVICES COORDINATOR: Mara Hampson ADVISORY BOARD Kenny Aaronson, Jeff Andrews, Steve Bailey, Victor Bailey, Jeff Berlin, Brian Bromberg, Ron Carter, Phil Chen, Stanley Clarke, Art Davis, Nathan East, Mark Egan, Andy Gonzalez, Barry Green, Stuart Hamm, David Hungate, Anthony Jackson, Darryl Jones, Dave LaRue, Will Lee, Michael Manring, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Pino Palladino, John Patitucci, Josh Paul, Dave Pomeroy, Chuck Rainey, Rufus Reid, Steve Rodby, Billy Sheehan, Lee Sklar, Steve Swallow, Gerald Veasley, Rob Wasserman, Verdine White, Gary Willis, Doug Wimbish, Victor Wooten

Please direct all advertising and editorial inquiries to: BASS PLAYER, 1111 Bayhill Drive, Suite 440, San Bruno, CA 94066 (650) 238-0260; FAX (650) 238-0261; [email protected] Subscription orders, inquiries, address changes, and Back Issues: BASS PLAYER, P.O. Box 469069, Escondido, CA 92046-9069. For quickest service, telephone: 800-234-1831 or (760) 291-1537. bassplayer@ pcspublink.com List rental: (914) 925-2449, [email protected] For custom reprints & e-prints please contact our reprint coordinator at Wright’s Media: (877) 652-5295 or [email protected] NEWBAY MEDIA CORPORATE President & CEO Steve Palm Chief Financial Officer Paul Mastronardi Vice President, Digital Strategy & Operations Robert Ames Vice President, Audience Development Denise Robbins Vice President, Content & Marketing Anthony Savona IT Director Anthony Verbanic Vice President Human Resources Ray Vollmer BASS PLAYER is a registered trademark of NewBay Media LLC. All material published in BASS PLAYER is copyrighted © 2015 by NewBay Media LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of material appearing in BASS PLAYER is prohibited without written permission. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, or artwork. All product information is subject to change; publisher assumes no responsibility for such changes. All listed model numbers and product names are manufacturers’ registered trademarks. Published in the U.S.A.

Follow BASS PLAYER online at:

8

bassplayer.com / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5

Ampeg SVT-CL

ine Shop Onl y! da or Call To .com ter Sweetwa 4700 (800) 222

Fender

Adam Clayton Jazz Bass

NEW!

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 4 H Neck Through

BUY MORE, SAVE MORE!

Quantity Discounts on Most Strings – PLUS Free Shipping!

Ashdown

RM-MAG-C115-420 Rootmaster

NEW!

“A superb experience from start to finish.”

MXR

M85 Bass Distortion

Radial Bassbone V2

Clark from Wilmington, NC

Visit our exclusive Guitar Gallery for more detailed hi-res guitar images at Sweetwater.com/guitargallery.

FREE PRO ADVICE

We’re here to help! Call today!

FREE 2-YEAR WARRANTY** Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty

FAST, FREE SHIPPING

On most orders, with no minimum purchase!

0% INTEREST for 24 MONTHS*

(800) 222-4700 Sweetwater.com On purchases of select manufacturers’ products made with your Sweetwater Musician’s All Access Platinum Card between now and October 31, 2015 – 24 equal monthly payments required.

*Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on promo purchase and equal monthly payments are required equal to initial promo purchase amount divided equally by the number of months in promo period until promo is paid in full. The equal monthly payment will be rounded to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher than the minimum payment that would be required if the purchase was a nonpromotional purchase. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval. **Please note: Apple products are excluded from this warranty, and other restrictions may apply. Please visit Sweetwater.com/warranty for complete details.

TECH

PLAY

LEARN

C ommunity

FACE

LOWDOWN

COMMUNITY

LINK

Live From L.A., It’s . . .

chris jisi

. . . Bass Player LIVE! For those who have been waiting and wondering, we are indeed well along the way in planning the year’s biggest bass event, to take place on November 7 & 8 at SIR in Los Angeles, with the annual BPL concert’s location to be announced soon. Ticket sales will be underway by the time you read this, and I can report that many of your favorite gear companies will be back exhibiting, along with some new participants. On the artist side, Nathan East will be accepting our Lifetime Achievement award, following in the footsteps of his friend and fellow session savant Abraham Laboriel, last year. Having spent four decades tracking for and touring with a who’s who of music, including Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Fourplay, and Daft Punk, East launched a successful solo career with his 2014 self-titled solo debut and a follow-up project with Bob James, reviewed on page 16. Nathan will receive his award and perform at the BPL concert, and then present a clinic at SIR on the 8th. Two other award recipients are forthcoming. Among the artists scheduled to appear at press time include John Taylor (whose revealing cover story by Jon D’Auria begins on page 24), Ben Kenney, Rickey Minor, Juan Alderete, Steve Bailey, Alex Al, and Janek Gwizdala. To get the latest on all BPL activity, visit bassplayer.com/live, and drop me a note at [email protected] to let me know that you’re attending. See you there!

DIG MY RIG!

This PhoTo rePresenTs 35-Plus years of playing and collecting—some of these are collectors, but most are players. From left to right: 1982 Veillette Citron, Togar Stratus, 1979 Veillette Citron, Schecter Model T, 1994 Alembic Epic, Fender Precision Bass Special, gold Schecter Model T, 2013 Jetglo Rickenbacker 4003, Schecter Model T, 1976 Rickenbacker 4000, Schecter Diamond J, 2015 Rickenbacker 4003s, Schecter Diamond P custom, 2012 Fireglo Rickenbacker 4003, Schecter CV4, 1977 Mapleglo Rickenbacker 4001, Schecter Model T prototype, fretless 1980 Vantage 330b, Fender Dimension IV HH, 1990 Guild Pilot, and lying on the floor, a Yamaha BB614. —john Beery Got a rig you think we’d dig? Send a photo and description to [email protected].

10

bassplayer.com / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5

The Real WoRld

Doug Mug Swanson

Home base Nashville Occupation Bass player Gigs Scott Holt Band Basses 1994 Fender Jazz Bass Deluxe, 2009 Fender Precision Deluxe Rig Ampeg B-2RE head, Ampeg Anniversary 6x10 cab Effects Pedaltrain Mini pedalboard, Voodoo Lab Pedal Power ISO 5, Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI, DOD FX62 Bass Stereo Chorus

Strings, etc. La Bella Low Tension Flexible Flats (Jazz Bass), D’Addario EXL170 nickelwounds (P-Bass), Steve Clayton Custom .73mm picks

Heroes & inspiration Los Angeles bassists John Bazz, Hank Van Sickle, Bobby Tsukamoto, Robert Trujillo, Louiche Mayorga, Bob Glaub, Jeff Turmes, and

BRITA BROOkES

Denny Croy; Nashville bassists Brian Allen, David Roe, Michael Joyce, and Michael Rhodes

Contact facebook.com/duglasmuglas

How did you come to play bass? I picked up a bass when I was

What’s a lesson you’ve learned along the way?

What are your musical goals?

If a pro athlete has a bad game,

Working full time. You’re never

19 years old in Sedona, Arizona because the

he gets another chance the next night.

local bar band needed a bass player. Took

Musicians don’t have such luxuries.

lessons at McCabe’s in Santa Monica, California.

Every night onstage is the Super Bowl!

too old to learn.

Been keeping the lowdown ever since. Introducing Players Circle - Buy Strings, Get Points, Claim Rewards Enter to win 2,500 Players Points by visiting bassplayer.com/realworld And go to Playerscircle.daddario.com to join today!

Court of opinion

The late Allen Woody owned around 450 instruments. How many basses do you have? Are there ever too many basses?

Eight. Yes, it’s enough.

—Mark Arellano

—Doyle J. Russell

Holy crap! I’ve only got 67 basses.

Eighteen at the moment. Down from 20.

—Blair Barbero

—Kevin Conaway

I only need two basses: my upright and my Fender American

Just one, a 2004 Sadowsky Metro RV4.

Standard. Still make just as much music as∑ the next guy.

—Alice van den Boogaard

—John F. Hebert He could have all the basses he wanted. As long as you don’t steal

Two. That’s all—for now, anyway.

them, who cares? Some people drink, smoke, do both, gamble

—Al Duque

their money away, or throw it away at strip joints, do drugs, or beat their wives on a regular basis. My wife realizes this and is cool with my collection because there are worse things. —Ralph Benitez

Four: a main 5-string, a backup 5-string, a 4-string, and an upright. —Michael David Czapla

Not enough! —Vincent Goff The ideal collection size is whatever you have +1. Thirty-five and counting.

—Jonathan Bishop

—Marius Goldhammer

bassplayer.com / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5

11

BASSNOTES

BASS NOTES

LINK

FACE

TECH

PLAY

LEARN

B

Pipoquinha (left) with John Goldsby

Funk samba

Dm7(add11)

= 120

Bass melody

H

4 5

15 15 12

Dm7(add11)

Bass line

12

14

15

12

5

7

5

14 17

3

4

5

17

5

19

7

H

3

19 16

14 17

4 5

17 19

12 12 14

15 12

The slapped bass line and lyrical melody of Pipoquinha’s composition “Cearensinho”

12

bassplayer.com / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5

15

15 12 15

17

12

19

14

19 16

15

12

17 19

12 15

14 17

Michael Pipoquinha Making His Mark by John goldsby

|

PHO TO G R A PH B Y M AT T I S C E DE R BE RG

Michael PiPoquinha first electrified the interwebs with his hoMeMade bass videos six years ago, when he was 13. The prowess and precociousness he displayed in his early YouTube efforts was duly noted on bass forums, as players two and three times his age tried to parse his musical magic. Where did he come from? He sounds like Janek mixed with Jaco. Is he even better than those guys? He’s Brazilian, of course—doesn’t that explain everything? Pipoquinha, now 19, learned to play bass the organic way, from his father and grandfather. He’s grown up in the YouTube age, copping licks from bassists and guitarists alike. His style, informed by his Brazilian heritage, combines mad slapping skills in the Wooten vein, along with ferocious grooves, plus serious melodic and harmonic knowledge. “I started with the acoustic guitar,” says Pipoquinha. “I always liked harmony and Brazilian grooves both on acoustic and electric guitars. I developed my techniques by listening to lots of Baden Powell and other guitar players like Joe Pass and Pat Metheny. That’s helped me on the bass to play both harmony and rhythm at the same time.” Pipoquinha’s bass technique reflects his understanding of the guitar, using chordal concepts and thumb-plus-three-finger techniques as a part of his arsenal. Like all modern bassists, Pipoquinha has dealt with the legacy of Jaco Pastorius. “One recording that really stays with me is Jaco playing ‘Havona’ with Weather Report. That groove inspired generations of bass players, and he plays a melodic solo worthy of a low-note wizard. I have many heroes, both bass-playing and otherwise, but if we’re talking bass players they’d be Jaco, Arthur Maia, Sergio Groove, Thiago do Esparto Santo, Victor Wooten, Nico Assumpção, John Patitucci, and the great Luizão Maia. “One of my favorite recordings,” Pipoquinha continues, “is Luizão Maia on ‘Eu Hein, Rosa’ with Elis Regina. Another would be a recording by Domingunhos—one of my heroes—on a song called ‘Contrato de Separação,’ which features beautiful lyrics and amazing accordion playing.” Pipoquinha is poised to make his mark on the world music scene. He has already wowed audiences at live performances in Europe and INFO South America, in addition to scaring countless show-me-what-youcan-do internet bass-video junkies. “I want people to know that I’m Watch Pipoquinha ready and willing to play all over the world, and that my greatest joy in concert with the is to play for people and move them with music. My idea of a great WDR Big Band. show is to touch people with my music so they can leave overflowing bassplayer.com/ with joy and a feeling that music heals the soul. I’m working on a new october2015 album featuring eight of my songs, which is being produced by my great friend and idol Arthur Maia. I’m also getting more invitations to work abroad, and that’s my biggest dream: playing my music all over the world. I’d love to play with Chick Corea, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny, Birele Lagrene, Hamilton de Holanda, and João Bosco.” Pipoquinha uses Brazilian-made D’Mark basses, Aguilar amplifiers, DR Strings, and Brazilian-made Santo Angelo cables—but as all Bass Player readers know, his signature sound ultimately lives in his hands. BP CONNECT

i

bassplayer.com / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5

13

LEARN

B

PLAY

i

INFO

FACE

TECH

LISTEN

The Aristocrats, Tres Caballeros [2015, Boing!]; Joe Satriani, Shockwave Supernova [2015, Sony]

Basses Mike Lull M5 (active), Mike Lull PJ5

LINK

(passive) Strings D’Addario ProSteels (.045–.130)

BASS NOTES

Rig Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 head, GallienKrueger 2001RB head, 4 Gallien-Krueger 410RBH 4x10 cabinets Effects Boss OC-2

Bryan Beller On Taking Different Approaches By Jimmy LesLie

|

EQUIP

JOe SATRIANI, THe ARISTOCRATS, DeTHKLOK

Octave, ElectroHarmonix MicroSynth, Xotic Effects Bass BB Preamp, DigiTech Bass Driver, Aphex Bass

PHO TO G R A PH BY JI M M Y L e SL Ie

Xciter, Providence ABC-

What kind of direction did Satriani provide when you accepted his gig? Not much! Joe’s not trying to fool anybody with his music. It’s melodic instrumental rock, and the songs have very straightforward forms. After nearly two years on the road, I was honored that he trusted me to know the difference between playing live and recording, and also not to overplay on the very solid songs he wrote. What’s your overall M.O. playing with Satch? I generally go for an aggressive rock sound or something a little smoother, and I change my finger attack accordingly.

14

bassplayer.com / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5

For something like “A Phase I’m Going Through” or “Cataclysmic,” I’ll let my fingers fly through the strings for rock chime and aggression. For a darker, tighter sound on songs such as “Stars Race Across the Sky” or “San Francisco Blue,” I’ll shorten my finger stroke so there’s no real top end to interfere with other, more important frequencies. Can you compare your playing with Satriani to the Aristocrats? Talk about opposite worlds! There’s so much going on bass-wise in the Aristocrats—partly because we’re a power trio, partly because Guthrie writes intricate bass parts, and partly because we’re generally pushing the envelope. “Jack’s Back” has a ton of high-register double-stops and fingerboard-spanning parts. “Pig’s Day Off” is intricate and difficult, even though it’s a ballad of sorts. My composition “Texas Crazypants” has a pretty serious high-octane Dixie Dregs-ish riff in the chorus. The Aristocrats’ music is far denser than Joe’s stuff, and the contrast of density vs. economy is a great musical balance for me. What’s your tonal palette for the Aristocrats? I’ve got a very aggressive, overdriven sound for “Stupid 7,” “ZZ Top,” and “Texas Crazypants.” I use a darker, fuzzier overdriven tone on the spaghetti western “Smuggler’s Corridor.” I use clean, bright tones on “Jack’s Back” and “Pig’s Day Off,” and clean, dark tones on “Pressure Relief,” “The Kentucky Meat Shower,” and “Through the Flower.” It’s the full palette, and that’s what’s great about the Aristocrats. You need to bring everything. BP

1 Anadime Bass Chorus, Boss DD-3 Digital Delay, TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb, TC Electronic Flashback Delay, Demeter Opto Compulator, Dunlop Cry Baby 105Q Bass Wah Hear Bryan in a special bass-forward mix playing along with the Aristocrats’ “Living the Dream.” Watch video of Bryan Beller talking about life CONNECT

Former BP cover artist and contriButing columnist Bryan Beller is such an overall bass beast that other musical monsters such as Steve Vai, Mike Keneally, and Metalocalypse/Dethklok’s Brendon Small have been seeking him out for over 20 years. Since 2013 Beller has anchored Joe Satriani’s band, which also features Keneally and drum demon Marco Minnemann. Beller is also a player/manager in the fusion trio the Aristocrats, featuring Minnemann on drums along with freak fretmaster Guthrie Govan—whose fretboard chops rival Satriani’s, but in a completely different, often whimsical, and even hilarious context. On both bands’ new CDs, Beller shows that he knows what to do and what not to do for a given situation. With the Aristocrats, Beller routinely plays things only a mutant with an extra bass chromosome could fathom. He keeps it human for Satch’s alien surfing.

on the road, and performing excerpts of an unreleased solo piece. bassplayer.com/ october2015

Black Line Little Mark 250 one of the most advanced and tweakable mid-wattage bass rigs you’ll ever play. And now is the perfect opportunity to own one of the most sought-after bass amps for an unheard-of price.

Black Line Little Mark

shown with

Black Line 104HR Cab

MBH110040

MBL100043

$

$

32999

54999

Now is the h time to make your mark, exclusively at Guitar Center and Musician’s Friend

©2014 Mark Bass

Now everyone can experience the cutting-edge technology and advanced components that are the hallmarks of every Markbass amp. Pro features such as a variable pre-shape filter and vintage loudspeaker emulators make the

BASS NOTES

LINK

FACE

TECH

PLAY

LEARN

B

KharEn hill

LoreNzo FeLiciati Koi [RareNoise] Fluid, complex, and modern yet soulful, composer/bass man Feliciati’s latest disc, a concept album based on the life of koi fish, exists in a space somewhere between prog-rock and ambient. If the presence of former Japan drummer Steve Jansen and King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto makes you think there might be electronics, odd-time grooves, tasteful dissonance, ethereal soundscapes, and sumptuously recorded fretless lines, you’d be right on the money. But when was the last time you heard a cool unison line between trombones and fuzzed-out fretless like the one on “Fish Bowl”? BP RECOMMENDS

— E .E . B radman

Gary WiLLis BoB James/NathaN east

The New Cool [Yamaha Entertainment Group] The second movement of Nathan East’s longawaited career as a solo artist is this potent package, which looks and reads like a duo disc in the tradition of Bill Evans/Eddie Gomez or Keith Jarrett/ Charlie Haden, but is quite a bit more. The opening title track and “Oliver’s Bag” indeed find James on piano and East on his penetrating Yamaha Silent Bass making a swinging connection (as they did on “Moodswing,” from Nate’s 2014 solo debut). “All Will Be Revealed” is the first dizzying departure, with the Nashville Recording Orchestra supporting East’s Metheny-esque wordless vocal melody and sing-and-play electric bass solo. The orchestra remains for a Vince Gill-led reimagination of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” the sweeping ballad “Waltz for Judy,” the percussion-propelled “Canto y la Danza,” and the all-electric bass “Turbulence”—the last three summoning James’ ’70s CTI landscapes. Gravitating back to tasteful two-play, “Midnight Magic,” “Seattle Sunrise,” and “Ghost of a Chance” best showcase the interactive, intuitive sides of the pair, free to start conversations and finish each other’s sentences. —Chris Jisi

16

bassplayer.com / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5

larger ThaN life [AbstractLogix] Gary Willis’ expressive new album skips the formalities and gets right down to business with his opening track, “The Professionals,” which displays his powerful fretless tone and his skill to emote through it. While the casual listener will enjoy his beautifully funky, jazzy, and fusion-flavored compositions, bassists will marvel at Willis’ effortless virtuosity. In dishing layers of intricate phrasings, avant-garde arrangements, and playful harmonics layered over odd time signatures, Willis reminds us why he is always on the forefront of elevating the range of the fretless bass. — J on d’au ri a BraNdiNo

The MaNy faCes of BraNdiNo [N’House] The versatile L.A. mainstay bassist/producer, whose recent credits range from will.i.am to Nancy Wilson, delivers a sturdy sophomore studio disc spotlighting his skills on upright and electric bass, and as a composer/arranger. Among the step-out tracks

BTB

TERRA FIRMA

BTB686MSCNTF (6-String)

MAKE THE CONNECTION The Terra Firma concept is all about the power and strength that comes from making a solid connection. Because of its sizeable neck/body juncture and 5-piece Maple/Bubinga neck-through-body construction, the Terra Firma’s transference of string vibrations to the body is unparalleled. This root element along with carefully considered features such as Bartolini® BH1 pickups, EBQ-IIIS 3-Band EQ and Mono-Rail II bridge, make the Terra Firma a bass with amazingly rich sonic depth and incredible sustain. Now, for those who prefer the brighter “snap,” harder playing surface and visual appeal of Maple—Terra Firma 5 and 6-strings offer the option of a Maple fretboard.

BTB685MSCNTF (5-String)

Contoured neck scoop & 5pc BTB5 Maple/Bubinga 35” scale neck-through

.com

EQB-IIIS 3-band EQ with mid frequency switch

Mono-Rail II bridge

LEARN PLAY TECH FACE LINK

BASS NOTES

B are the acoustic bass-driven Latin jazzer “Beginning of the End,” the edgy funk-rocker “Rock It” (layering 5-, 6-, and 7-string bass), and an energetic reading of Herbie Hancock’s “Tell Me a Bedtime Story.” Kamasi Washington adds supple sax on “Free Jazz.” — C h ri s J i s i Galactic

Into the Deep [Mascot Music] Galactic’s sound has always been heavily driven by bass, but on the band’s aptly titled 11th album, Robert Mercurio goes from driving to dominating. The result is one the band’s best albums to date. Mercurio’s blend of gospel, Motown, and vintage funk lines are mixed to perfection and are unavoidably danceable. From start to finish, Mercurio’s energy never lets up, and his lively grooves show all of the focus of a hardworking veteran who uncompromisingly plays from the heart. — J on d ’au ri a tortured Soul

hot for Your Love tonIght [Dome] This luscious soundtrack for a sweet, swanky night on the town features scrumptious low-end magic by Jordan Scannella and super-hip synth bass by Tortured Soul drummer JohnChristian Urich. Conjuring the ghosts of ’70s dancefloor

deities with a ’90s twist and 21st-century production, Urich keeps the synth bass thick and juicy on tunes like “Last Time We Made Love” and “Don’t Lead Me On,” while Scanella’s nimble approaches on “All You Have to Do” and “Can’t Keep Rhythm From a Dancer” bring to mind New York bass gods Gene Perez and Bernard Edwards. — E. E. Bra dm an Wilco

Star WarS

[dBPM] In surprising fans by releasing an unannounced, free album, Wilco dropped Star Wars, a 33-minute departure from the band’s usually laid-back indie sound in search of straightforward songwriting and subtle distortion. John Stirratt uses a heavy hand on his gain knob and relies on fuzz-driving pedals. Even mellow ballads like “Magnetized” and “You Satellite” achieve crunchy textures and a pleasant hint of string noise that keeps the album continually interesting. — J on d ’au ri a

BP

No Such Thing as Too Much Bass We stock quality basses, amps and accessories that fit your style—from beginner to pro.

Call 800 - 356 - 5844 Shop fullcompass.com Pro Audio • Video • Lighting • Musical Instruments Top Brands Including:

& “They play fantastic, sound amazing, and they have that same classic PRS look and feel that I fell in love with.”

© 2015 PRS Guitars / photos by Hunter Selman & Marc Quigley

– Aaron Pauley / Of Mice & Men

PRS SE Basses 3566(VWULQJEDVVHVRσHUTXDOLW\WRQHDQGIHHORILQVWUXPHQWVLQKLJKHUSULFHSRLQWV 7KH.LQJðVKHUKDVDPRGHUQVRXQGDOOLWVRZQZLWKDWRSHQGDQGPLGUDQJHJURZOWRFXW WKURXJKWKHPL[7KH.HVWUDOLV356âVWDNHRQWKHWUDGLWLRQDOVLQJOHFRLOEDVVSODWIRUPZLWK WRQHVWRFRYHUDOPRVWDQ\VW\OH%RWKEDVVHVIHDWXUHQHFNWKURXJKFRQVWUXFWLRQIRUVXVWDLQ DQGEDODQFHGWRQH

LEARN PLAY

B

FACE

TECH

Announcing Bass Aficionado

BASS NOTES

LINK

A R E YO U C O N T E M P L AT I N G A N upgrade to a bass from a custom builder—be it a standard or customized model? The editors of Bass Player and the builders at Fodera have collaborated on a special digital issue addressing the topic in detail. The debut of Bass Aficionado will feature articles and bonus video footage on such topics as considering a custom bass, choosing a builder, tone woods, scale length, passive vs. active pickups, onboard preamps, proper setup—from bridge to trussrod to nut—plus string installation and adjustment, care and maintenance, and more. In addition, the issue will be capped by music lessons from top Fodera artists. Bass Aficionado will be available for download in mid September. —CHRIS JISI

The Harrison of Digital Audio Workstations. Version 3

Oal`\gr]fkg^