Review: Ahmad Hani, Aloof
Ahmad Hani, Aloof… I am always fascinated at how the bass can be utilized so differently in World Music. In many Middle Eastern cultures, the
MUSIC ON OUR RADAR
Review: Electric Blue
Electric Blue, Featuring Mark Egan on Bass… Bass and drums always have a very special bond, but this is greatly augmented when they are the
Review: Kansas, The Absence of Presence, Billy Greer on Bass
The Absence of Presence… After nearly five decades of legendary Progressive Rock, Kansas presents its 16th Studio album, The Absence of Presence! Running full throttle,
Review: They Call Me Big New York
They Call Me Big New York, featuring Christian de Mesones on bass. Are you in the mood for some sweet, upbeat smooth jazz? Bassist Christian
Review: Michael Manring, Small Moments
ALBUM ON OUR RADAR – Michael Manring, Small Moments Michael Manring is an all-around consummate bassist as well as an amazing solo performer. I have
Review: Abelita Mateus, Vivenda
Abelita Mateus, Vivenda, featuring Itaiguara Brandão on bass. Since I am on a Brazilian music roll, this CD is another sweet listen. Abelita sings and
Review: The Stanley Clarke Band, The Message
The Stanley Clarke Band, The Message… Bass excellence from start to finish! With a variety of musical genres from Funk to Bach on this album,
MC3 by Mike Claiborne – EP Review
With the latest EP from bassist, Mike Claiborne, we get another serving of jazz, funk and soul from this multi-talented artist. MC3 was released this
Chance Wilder Onody Releases Jaw-Dropping EP
While many bassists aspire to be a band leader of their own project, Chance Wilder Onody has bigger aspirations. With the release of his EP,
Darrius Jamar Bounces Hard on “Bounce Back”
Darrius Jamar is no stranger to the smooth jazz and R&B circles. With his latest album, Bounce Back, Jamar steps out from the sideline to
CD Review – Normas by Juan Garcia-Herreros, The Snow Owl
In this issue, I had the great pleasure of interviewing the very talented Juan Garcia-Herreros, AKA The Snow Owl. I mentioned that I have been
Eric Clapton: Old Sock (Bassists: Willie Weeks, Paul McCartney)
RICK’S PICKS: Eric Clapton: Old Sock (Bushbranch Records) / Bassists: Willie Weeks, Paul McCartney The Album: Eric Clapton has worn many musical personas
“The Diary Of…” by Mike Claiborne
There are few albums by bass players that come along and seem to say “This is who I am, and this is what I do,”
Robben Ford: Bringing It Back Home (Bassist: David Piltch)
RICK’S PICKS: Robben Ford: Bringing It Back Home (Provogue) / Bassist: David Piltch The Album: Guitarist Robben Ford returns to his blues roots on
12-12-12 The Concert For Sandy Relief (Bassists: Darryl Jones, Willie Weeks, Pino Palladino, Greg Smith, others)
RICK’S PICKS: Various Artists: 12-12-12 The Concert For Sandy Relief (Columbia) / Bassists: Darryl Jones, Willie Weeks, Pino Palladino, Greg Smith, others. The
Steve Lukather: Transition (Bassists: Lee Sklar, Tal Wilkenfeld, Nathan East, Renee Jones, John Pierce)
RICK’S PICKS: Steve Lukather: Transition (Mascot Records) / Bassists: Lee Sklar, Tal Wilkenfeld, Nathan East, Renee Jones, John Pierce The Album: Toto co-founder
Joe Lovano w/ Us Five: Cross Culture (Bassists: Esperanza Spalding, Peter Slavov)
RICK’S PICKS: Joe Lovano w/ Us Five: Cross Culture (Blue Note Records) / Bassists: Esperanza Spalding, Peter Slavov The Album: This is Lovano’s
Alicia Keys: Girl On Fire (Bassists: Bruno Mars, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Steve Mostyn, James “Malay” Ho)
RICK’S PICKS: Alicia Keys: Girl On Fire ( RCA Records ) / Bassists: Bruno Mars, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Steve Mostyn, James “Malay” Ho The Album:
Marvin Gaye: Trouble Man 40th Anniversary Expanded Edition (Bassists: Wilton Felder, Ron Brown, others)
RICK’S PICKS: Marvin Gaye: Trouble Man 40th Anniversary Expanded Edition (Hip-O-Select / Motown) / Bassists: Wilton Felder, Ron Brown, others The Album: Forty
Jimmy Haslip: Modern Improvisation For Bass (Instructional Book: Alfred Music)
Jimmy Haslip: Modern Improvisation For Bass (Instructional Book: Alfred Music) In his introduction to this excellent book, Jimmy reveals some of his deepest thoughts on
Van Morrison: Born To Sing: No Plan B (Bassist: Paul Moore)
RICK’S PICKS: Van Morrison: Born To Sing: No Plan B (Exile) / Bassist: Paul Moore The Album: The Belfast songmaster’s first new album in
Donald Fagen: Sunken Condos (Bassists: Lincoln Schleifer, Freddie Washington, Joe Martin)
RICK’S PICKS: Donald Fagen: Sunken Condos (Reprise) / Bassists: Lincoln Schleifer, Freddie Washington, Joe Martin The Album: Three things need to be intact for any
Diana Krall: Glad Rag Doll (Bassist: Dennis Crouch)
RICK’S PICKS: Diana Krall: Glad Rag Doll (Verve) / Bassist: Dennis Crouch The Album: If you can allow yourself room to get out of
Lee Ritenour: Rhythm Sessions (Bassists: Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Nathan East, others)
RICK’S PICKS: Lee Ritenour: Rhythm Sessions (Concorde) / Bassists: Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Nathan East, Melvin Lee Davis, Tal Wilkenfeld, Christian McBride, Chuck Berghoffer, Michael