Bass CDs
New Album: Guenter Asbeck Debut Album “Evolve”
Guenter Asbeck Releases Debut Album “Evolve”…
Bassist, composer and producer Guenter Asbeck is proud to announce the March 15th release of his debut album “Evolve”.
“Evolve” features a lot of top musicians from Guenter Asbeck’s circuit, special guest vocalist Selina Albright, special guest saxophonist Will Donato both from the US, drummer Dirk Sengotta (with whom Guenter performed more than a 1000+ gigs together as one of the go-to rhythm sections in Germany), guitarists Chris Vega, Dennis Hormes (top session player and guitar hero in his own right), top notch keyboardists Marin Subasic and Daniel Sok, and many more.
The title track sets the tone for the lyrical direction of the 11 songs on the album. Asbeck didn’t have a bassplayer’s album in mind in particular, but to stay open minded stylistically and write songs he would love to hear on a new album himself.
The 11-track debut takes its inspiration from the goal of becoming a better person, to transport a good vibe, positive views, hope, diversity, and also deliver nice and melodic pop music to the world.
After being a succesfull sideman (bassplayer and singer) for over twenty years in the German and European music scene (playing live with the likes of James Blunt, Gloria Gaynor, Jennifer Rush, Nathan East, Gerald Veasley, Michael Manson, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Je? Lorber, the late Chuck Loeb, Paul Brown, Peter White and many others) Asbeck felt the need to go center stage and tell his musical stories himself. It ?nally took 5 years of preparation, songwriting and production work to ?nish the debut album.
For mixing, he got in contact with 5time Grammy award winning mixing legend Chris Lord Alge in Los Angeles (who mixed songs like “Living in America” for James Brown, “Unchain my Heart” for Joe Cocker, and lots of albums for Nickelback, Rick Spring?eld, Muse and Green Day) to get four tracks mixed (“Evolve”, “Love Under Open Air” and the two versions of “Only With You”). Three other tracks (“Make It Work Again”, “Where Are You Now” and “Where Do You Go From Here”) were mixed by Chris Bolster (who worked on the Beatles’ “Love” and “Anthology” projects and for Paul McCartney, Take That and many others) at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London, UK on the TG analog mixing console the Beatles recorded their “Abbey Road”-album on in 1969.
“For me, the world is a better place with music you can dream and relax to, and even get a good vibe while listening. I would love to have the listener also see my music as a projection surface to their hopes and needs” says Asbeck.
Last December Guenter released the ?rst single beforehand called “Only With You – Radio Edit” with an accompanying lyric video:
The opener of the album, “Love Under Open Air” was composed by Asbeck for his wedding in 2005 with his wife Stefanie. The Beatles vibe is very obvious, and the track will also be the third single to be released later this year. “Only With You – Album Edit” is a powerful Rock/Pop song that underlines once more the unique feeling of love for someone special. “Evolve”, the title track shows a human being who wants to become a better version of himself/ferself and ?ts stylistically into the Rock/Pop genre. Very powerful vocals and bass/guitar/drum work.
“Where Do You Go From Here” tells the story of somebody who is the last to learn, that his wife is leaving him and is devastated at ?rst but rises to the occasion in the end.
The albums ballad “Don’t Give Up” (the second single with release date early April 2021) was written by Guenter and his songwriting partner Dennis LeGree in 2015, where the world was a di?erent place, and the goal was to give hope and understanding not to give up on yourself, no matter what you are going through at the moment. It ?ts in with the current times even more.
“Make It Work Again” is a funky song and also a duet written and sung by Guenter and Dennis LeGree with an outstanding saxophone solo by Will Donato.
“Meet John Doe” was inspired by the Hollywood movie from the fourties with the same name, and it tells a story about someone who forgets who he or she really is. The lyrics even come with a twist at the end.
“Slow Motion” is also a more poppy song with a decent hook to it. “Do You Remember When” shines with a great arrangement with orchestra and always changing instruments in every part. Nice one! “Where Are You Now” is the only song which is in a more sentimental mood and does re?ect more of a melancholic mood. The last song on the album is the single version of “Only With You”.
The album will be released on all digital streaming and download services worldwide on March 15th, 2021 (Günter’s birthday) and also on exclusive CD with deluxe 12page booklet on Amazon.
Album Cover Photo Copyright and Design by Gummel/Vonmaro 2021
Acclaimed bassist and composer Ben Wolfe is thrilled to announce the August 9, 2024 release of The Understated.
This evocative new album features a collection of new original compositions by Wolfe paired, with re-imaginings of some of the composer’s classic material, with a particular emphasis on the ballad song-form. The album features ten tracks, five of which are ballads – a bold move for any composer – Wolfe creates a cohesive narrative here that challenges the listeners perception of the classic ballad. The Understated features Wolfe alongside artists who make up the very frontline of modern jazz, including pianist Orrin Evans, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, drummer Aaron Kimmel, guitarist Russell Malone and pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Wolfe has always been drawn to finding beauty in subtlety. He perceives a certain tranquility and elegance in the Coltrane Quartet, Louis Armstrong’s Hot Fives and Sevens, the legendary Miles Davis bands and rhythm sections, and the music of Charlie Parker. While he, of course, revels at the immense world-building energy of this music, it’s the “other side” – the elusive, magical aspect that endlessly captivates him – the understated. The composer draws inspiration most from the ensemble work of these hallmark jazz ensembles. Despite the individual parts being extraordinarily beautiful on their own, the musicians in these archetypal ensembles play only what is needed to serve the music, paying particular attention to the band-sound more-so than their individual sound. The Understated embodies this ethos with a tremendously impactful ensemble-oriented approach.
Wolfe sought to continue the thread started by “Lullaby in D” from his previous critically acclaimed release Unjust. Wolfe indicates, “Something about that take was so perfect to me. It had been brought to life, and it had that ensemble thing.” Wolfe assembled the quartet who recorded “Lullaby” (including longtime collaborator Orrin Evans, as well as recent frequent collaborators Aaron Kimmel and Nicole Glover) and two very special guests, Russell Malone and Sullivan Fortner. The recording process took place in one room with no headphones or isolation booths, further emphasizing the group’s collective awareness.
This record succeeds in bringing Wolfe’s expansive music to life through extremely conscientious group playing. Nothing is forced or pushed; everything that needs to be stated is stated. The single from the album, “Waltz,” encapsulates the spirit of the project. Wolfe says, “I view albums like a complete painting, so singles have been difficult for me. This song is very much in the spirit of the whole but doesn’t give away the record.” The piece features a sentimental melody delivered with grace by tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, before Glover and Evans embark on stirring solos dancing in and out of the tune’s harmony.
Other new original compositions featured here include “Ballad in B”, which perhaps best demonstrates the group’s stunning cohesion. This tune is a refreshing diversion as it features a serene repeated melody without overt melodic improvisation. The following track, “Anagram”, begins with Kimmel’s rhythmic refrains and a unison melody played by Glover and Wolfe and is a true ensemble piece. On this track, Wolfe shines with a lyrical solo. The moody short interlude “So Indeed” is a lyrical masterwork that leaves the listener wanting even more. “Beautiful You” features master guitarist Russell Malone on the track’s melody. The emphasis here on restrained lyricism is a prime reminder of the old adage “it’s not the notes you play, it’s the notes you don’t play”. Each pocket of space in between melodic moments leaves room for the listener to breathe deeper and deeper into the song. The driving “Triangle Man” features fantastic improvisation from Glover and Kimmel. The tender “Barely Spoken” concludes the album with a feature for pianist Sullivan Fortner.
The album also weaves in references to Wolfe’s past works, creating a personal musical universe. “The Poet Speaks” is the opening track on his first record, 13 Sketches. “Occam’s Razor” was composed years ago for a collaboration with a choreographer and painter, and was a much different composition in its original form. “Love Is Near” was originally found on The Whisperer. With ballads in particular, Ben uses voicings and sounds that represent certain things to him, intentionally referencing his other compositions to generate connections between his songs.
Wolfe’s tremendous compositions on this album are also influenced by the group of musicians that he assembled for this release. Wolfe remarks “One of the things these five musicians share in common is that not only are they true ensemble players, they will always play something unexpected and special.” Listeners will find calm and beauty within the ensemble performances throughout The Understated.
Visit online at benwolfe.com/
Bassist, band leader, and composer Orlando le Fleming continues to make music that crosses genres as readily as he crosses the Atlantic, with this new album ‘Wandering Talk’, to be released physically on 23rd August via the UK’s premiere jazz label, Whirlwind Recordings.
After 20 years in New York City, he’s back in his native UK, forging new pathways and renewing old partnerships. His love for the acoustic tradition continues unabated alongside his deep affection for the robust, muscular electric fusion that emerged in the 1980s, and he has received critical acclaim from media including The Guardian, Financial Times, Jazzwise, and All About Jazz among others. He has also toured and recorded with some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians including Branford Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Antonio Sanchez, Ari Hoenig, and Wayne Krantz.
The Romantic Funk project was born in New York’s legendary 55 Bar to explore that legacy: now the new album ‘Wandering Talk’ builds on the critical acclaim generated by ‘The Unfamiliar’ (2020), building on the framework with a set of collaborators that brings together London and New York, past and present, acoustic, and electric, and merges it all into a spectacular whole.
Following the same principles that served the project in NYC, le Fleming booked four Friday nights at London’s renowned Vortex Club to workshop the music that would become the album, with a rotating cast of players which he honed down into the final line-up. Old London friends Tom Cawley (piano/keys) and James Maddren (drums) completed the rhythm section. New acquaintance Nathaniel Facey was picked from the ranks of the UK’s brightest young saxophone players. NYC stalwart Philip Dizack flew in from the US to play trumpet and reaching back to Orlando’s school days and forward to his own family, one-time classmate Chris Martin (Coldplay) and his own daughter Nadia combined to provide vocals on a special setting of Rumi’s poetry.
As before, the music combines fusion’s flash and fire with a contemporary sensibility. This time, Orlando’s questing spirit sends his superb band forward to investigate fresh areas of creativity in dynamic and texture.
Visit online at orlandolefleming.com
Album: John Entwistle, Rarities Oxhumed – Volume Two
Rarities Oxhumed – Volume Two is the second of the series of posthumous releases coming from John Entwistle.
Rarities Oxhumed – Volume Two is a compilation that was curated by drummer Steve Luongo, who served as John Entwistle’s producer, bandmate, business partner and good friend for many years. As Luongo states, “When I agreed to do two volumes of John Entwistle rarities, I knew volume two had to be even better than volume one. It is!” The collection of songs on Volume Two are from his years with the John Entwistle Band and include re-mastered versions of studio tracks including “Endless Vacation”, alternate mixes of tracks like “Sometimes”, and live tracks including The Who cuts “Real Me”, “Long Live Rock” and an epic version of “Young Man Blues”. The latest preview track to be released is the Who cut “Had Enough.”
Listen to “Had Enough” here: push.fm/ps/hadenough
Rarities Oxhumed – Volume One was quickly embraced by longtime fans as it featured gems like “Bogey Man” featuring Keith Moon, “Where You Going Now” (demo for the Who), and a raw live version of “Trick of the Light” recorded during the John Entwistle Band’s final tour in 2001. Deko Entertainment is thrilled to have been able to bring both volumes of this unearthed music of John Entwistle to the fans and forever solidify him as one of the greatest rock musicians ever.
For more information, visit online at dekoentertainment.com/john-entwistle
Mark Egan, Cross Currents…
It is exciting every time I get a new album from Mark Egan as he is such an amazingly versatile player and I never know what to expect (except for excellent artistry!) In his latest release, Mark has teamed up with Shawn Peyton on drums and Shane Theriot on guitar to bring us “Cross Currents”.
This collection of eleven tracks transports me to the Gulf Coast (New Orleans specifically). Mark’s fretless basses lay down a solid groove and lots of juicy solo work for this rootsy collection of funk, ambient, swamp-rock, second line, ballads, Cajun and even Indian Raga.
This trio is super-tight and the musicianship is flawless as each member has ample opportunity to shine. Even though each player is very talented in their own right, I feel that the collective energy is greater than just the sum of the players on this album. Each musician contributed to composing music for this project but the lion’s share are Mark’s original pieces.
I spent the summer of 1981 in New Orleans and this wonderful music takes me back to those fond memories. I participated in a wacky raft race on Lake Ponchatrain and this opening track elicits images of fun, sunshine, music, and great food.
This is another superb album that everyone will enjoy. Get your copy today! Cross Currents is available online at Amazon.com. Visit Mark online at markegan.com.
ALBERTO RIGONI’s New Project NEMESIS CALL Announce “Kingdom of Shred” Album, Feat. Super Talented Guests Such as Mike Terrana, Alexandra Zerner + Many Others
Worldwide known Italian bassist and composer ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD As, Kim Bingham, Vivaldi Metal Project, etc.) announces the new album “Kingdom of Shred” of his new project NEMESIS CALL.
Alberto says:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, was released on June 4th 2024, I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental shred/prog/rock/metal/melodic album, that will feature many talented top-notch musicians such as drummer Mike Terrana, Alexandra Zerner, Alexandra Lioness, Aanika Pai (11 years old!), Keiji by Zero (19 years old!), SAKI and many others TBA/TBC). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025 or maybe for Christmas!.”
As an independent artist, Alberto Rigoni has launched a fundraising campaign to support the project. Support at www.albertorigoni.net/nemesiscall. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro (www.legadelfilodoro.it/it), an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Visit online at www.albertorigoni.net | albertorigoni.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/albertorigonimusic | www.badas.rocks