Bass Players United | Gear Review- Stagg EDB ¾ Electric Upright BassStagg EDB ¾ Electric Upright Bass Years ago I owned a proper upright bass. It was huge, both in sound and size. I ended up parting with it as I just didn’t have the space for it anymore. I’ve always regretting selling it and lately have had the bug to get back into upright, so I started looking around.

Bass Players United | Gear Review: Radial Tonebone BassboneNowadays many bass players use at least two basses when performing on stage. While this helps to provide a wider tonal variety, there can be certain technical challenges that need to be overcome when switching basses. Volumes need to be adjusted, amp settings may have to be tweaked, plus if you’ll want to mute your signal before you make the switch.

Bass Players United | Gear Review – TC Electronics BG250 Tone Print Enabled Bass ComboImagine being able to change the effect you want by bringing it up on your phone and beaming it to your amp via your basses pickups. This is exactly what TC Electronics has been able to achieve with their new BG250 Bass Combo.

Bass Players United | Gear Review – Markbass CMD 102P Bass ComboThe extremely versatile Markbass CMD 102P combo seems to have all of the features many bass players are looking for in a bass combo. Featuring 2 x 10″ speakers, plus a piezo tweeter, this combo pushes 300 watts (500 watts with an 8 Ohm extension cab) of clean, articulate power.

Bass Players United | Gear Review – Fender Rumble 350The Fender Rumble 350 is a 350 Watt bass combo with 2X10″ Fender® Special Design Speakers. Controls include Volume, Overdrive Gain, Overdrive On/Off, Overdrive Blend, Punch EQ Preset, Scoop EQ Preset, Bass, Semi-Parametric Mid with Level & Frequency controls, and Treble.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Viz Maurogiovanni – Tempus FugitEuropean bassist extraordinaire, Vincenzo Maurogiovanni’s has released his latest album, Tempus Fugit. The soulful, expressive songs have an ethereal quality to them that make you want to sit back, relax and absorb the music. Meaning “Time Flees”, or more commonly “Time Flies” in Latin, it’s 9 tracks certainly seem to fly right by, leaving you wanting more.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Polyneon – IntrospectionIntrospection is a 12 minute experimental journey inside the mind of Dwayne Thomas Jr. Once inside we are presented with a variety of sounds including slamming doors, radio static and keys interjected occasionally with bass. Thomas says “The ‘Polyneon’ concept was created through the idea of introspection and when I stopped thinking about the mundane idea of becoming or being a great musician.”

Bass Players United | Album Review – The Buddy Jordan Project – Did Somebody Say Bass?One of my favorite things about doing album reviews is discovering new music. Buddy Jordan was not a bassist I was familiar with prior to hearing “Did Somebody Say Bass?”, now I can’t stop listening to him.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Jason Raso – The Red ArrowThe Red Arrow is the Summit Records debut by Canadian bassist Jason Raso. Although Raso has several albums under his belt to date, he considers this his true “debut” album. Previous albums had “sprinklings” of jazz throughout, but Raso consider’s this his first proper Jazz album.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Vinnie Zummo – Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America, Vol. 2Former Joe Jackson Guitarist, Vinnie Zummo, brings us another genre spanning disk in Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America, Vol. 2. A rollicking joy ride through the guitar sounds of the past 40 years, Zummo pays homage to his favorite artists by writing songs in the styles they pioneered.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Jermaine Morgan – The Journey ContinuesJermaine Morgan’s newest release, The Journey Continues is a soulful, uplifting album that delivers healthy doses of gospel, christian and jazz. Morgan’s singing, articulate bass tone is a treat for the aural senses. The first track “Groove Man” seems to set the pace, and man does it groove!

Bass Players United | Album Review – Caçarola – Orquestra de BaixosCaçarola is a small Brazilian orchestra comprised of six bassists. Exploring the musical possibilities and expressions of the instrument, Orquestra de Baixos showcases the ingenious use of electric 4, 5 and 6 strings, fretless, acoustic, and double bass.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Joseph Patrick Moore – XYZ FactorOn his latest effort “XYZ Factor” Joseph Patrick Moore fuses together elements of contemporary jazz with electronica delivering a unique experience which will be sure to please both electronica and jazz fans alike. The three song EP, co-produced by platinum record producer Buzz Amato, features an electronic beat backed by Moore’s uplifting bass lines.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Simon Sammut – BaSSic AttitudeCelebrated Maltese bassist Simon Sammut demonstrates his multifaceted 6 string stylings on his latest release BaSSic Attitude. Collaborating with multi- instrumentalist Alexander Kuzmin, the duo have created a finely polished jewel of bass goodness.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Uwe Felchle Project – Green FunkUwe Felchle dishes up a heaping helping of greasy funk on his debut solo project “Green Funk”. Felchle’s name may not be one you are familiar with, but this Austrian bassists has been paying his dues for years, playing his first gig at age 6.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Tansu Tumer – Afraid Of What?Turkish born, 26 year old, Tansu Tumer makes his US debut with “Afraid of What?” Creating a unique sound via his mastery of the electric bass, Tumer takes World Music to new heights. Throughout the album Eastern rhythms are mixed with Western harmonies and vise-versa creating an alluring fusion of sounds.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Bryan Beller, ‘Thanks In Advance’Bryan Beller is one of those bassist that always seems to be busy working on one project or another. With a storied career as a sideman with Mike Keneally and Steve Vai, a regular contributor to Bass Player Magazine, and previously running SWR for Fender, one has to be thankful that Beller finds the time to release a solo album now and again.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Chinua Hawk – “A Beautifully Complicated Life”Chinua (Shin-Wah) Hawk’s latest release, “A Beautifully Complicated Life” was skillfully produced and arranged by bassist Joseph Patrick Moore, whom also held down the bass duties. A blend of pop, gospel, R&B and classic soul, Hawk’s soulful vocals stand out throughout the album while Moore keeps the groove steady.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Lady & THE BASS – “GROOVY”Lady & THE BASS are a fresh new electronic pop duo featuring vocalist Irene Ermolli (“Lady”) and bassist/composer/songwriter Alberto Rigoni (“THE BASS). Their first full length album, “GROOVY” is a catchy mix of pop, electro, funk and experimental influences woven together to form and eclectic dance album.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Fabio Zaganin – Rumble FishRumble Fish is the debut album of technically gifted bassist Fabio Zaganin. While Zaganin is new to me, it seems that he is a much sought after bassist and educator in his native Brazil where he has been featured in magazines such as Bass Player and Bass Musician.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Day Of Awakening – Open HeartDay of Awakening is the fulfillment of a life long dream for musician Brian Buckalew. Crafted using only computer generated instruments, “Open Heart” is an airy, ambient, relaxing album that at times seems to be the soundtrack to an epic movie. Listening to the disk provokes a strong emotional response, fueling ones inspiration.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Pies en la Tierra – AnomaliaPies en la Tierra is an Ecuadorian Jazz ensemble featuring bassist Cayo Iturralde. Their latest release, “Anomalia”, is an elegant fusion of Ecuadorian and Latin Rhythms with jazz harmonies and modern arrangements. Each member shows a high degree of interpretation and improvisation demonstrating the strength the group.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Aram BedrosianTo say the bass playing on Aram Bedrosian’s self-titled debut is phenomenal is an understatement. What this guy can do on a 4 string bass, without the use of loopers or layering of multiple tracks, is nothing short of amazing. I first heard Bedrosian via a YouTube video and immediately thought, “Who is this guy?

Bass Players United | Album Review – Reggie Washington – Freedom“Freedom”, the second album from bassist extraordinaire Reggie Washington, expands the limits of Modern “Cutting Edge” Jazz. Representing a meeting of European and American musicians with a mix of Jazz, Funk, Rock, Blues, Classical and World Music, Freedom features the “Dream Team” Trio of Reggie Washington (Bass), Jef Lee Johnson (Guitar) and Gene Lake (Drums).

Bass Players United | Album Review – Brian Bromberg – Bromberg Plays HendrixWhen one thinks of the music of Jimi Hendrix, bass is not exactly what comes to mind, but you know, sometimes genius is found in the oddest of pairings. Brian Bromberg has achieved such genius on his new album, “Bromberg Plays Hendrix”.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Brian Bromberg – In The Spirit of JobimPresented as a simultaneous release with “Bromberg Plays Hendrix”, Brian Bromberg continues to deliver the goods with “In The Spirit of Jobim”. Paying tribute to the great Brazilian Bossa Nova Master, Antonio Jobim, Bromberg offers seven original Jobim inspired songs, alongside five Jobim classics.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Sean O’Bryan Smith – ReflectionAs if returning from a spiritual journey, Nashville bassist and composer Sean O’Bryan Smith delivers us his second album, “Reflection”. This soulful sounding album contains 10 refreshingly updated versions of church standards and gospel hits as well as 2 inspired original tracks thrown in for good measure.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Abby Wren & What It Is – Secondhand SwaggerSecondhand Swagger is the debut album from the Atlanta based Abby Wren & What It Is. Fronted by the seductive voiced Abby Wren and anchored by the powerful grooves of bassist Darren Michaels, this Funk-Rock-Soul band knows how to have a good time.

Bass Players United | Album Review – Alberto Rigoni – Three Wise MonkeysItalian bassist Alberto Rigoni serves up a fresh dose of prog-rock on his latest release Three Wise Monkeys. Centered around the Japanese folk legend denoted by the album’s title, Rigoni displays a new level of maturity and sophistication. His distinctive bass style stands out on each track, as does his compositional prowess.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Leslie Johnson – Bass & BeyondListening to “Bass & Beyond”, the first instrumental album by Guatemalan born bassist Leslie Johnson, one can certainly understand why he was chosen as a “Say It With Your Strings” winner.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Most Wanted – Revelation StationThese days great rock bands seem hard to come by. With Reality TV taking the “One Hit Wonder” to a whole new level, one can’t help but ask if there are any authentic rock bands left. Thankfully there’s at least one. Enter Michigan rockers Most Wanted.

Bass Players United | Album Review: Colin Edwin and Jon Durant – Burnt BeliefReleased on the much prophesied doomsday date of December 21, 2012, Burnt Belief is a collaborative effort between Porcupine Tree bassist Colin Edwin and guitarist Jon Durant. Intentionally designed to coincide with the much-hyped (and ultimately failed) prophecies of the Mayan apocalypse. The title refers to “what happens to people who try to reconcile delusional beliefs with reality.”

Bass Players United | Three Kings on the Hill – Shindo – The New WayWith the melding of heavy rock and heavy funk, Berlin’s Three Kings on the Hill take the genre of Funk Rock to new levels on their debut album “Shindo – The New Way”. Imagine the Scorpion’s with Les Claypool as their bassist and you will begin to get a sense of Three Kings on the Hill.

Bass Players United | Anthony Crawford – ‘Urban Jazz – My Story’Bassist Anthony Crawford’s new release, “Urban Jazz – My Story”, is a deeply personal album, full of inspiration, motivation and empowerment. Rooted in jazz, whilst delving into Hip Hop, Pop & R&B, Crawford has crafted a very accessible album due in large part to its positive message and feel.