Michael Manring

A master of the solo bass, The Manthing takes his instrument and altered-tunings to new heights... and lows on his new CD, Soliloquy

• Jay Leonhart - Laying down bass & vocals with his trio and a new CD - Cool.
• Steve Lawson - A cohort of Michael Manring, this British bassist takes looping to a creative high.

• The Funkdawgs - A Virtual Jazz Band
• Mike Dimin - Bass Alone - Arranging for Solo Bass - "St. James Infirmary" (Pt. 1)
• Carol Kaye - Bassically Yours - Reading & Playing Funky Lines
• Jimmy Haslip - Modern Improvisation and Harmony Part XXVII - Expanding Melodic Soloing and Developing Walking Bass Lines

• Michael Manring - "Helios" from Soliloquy
• Sakesho - "We Want You to Say" from We Want You to Say...
• Bunny Brunel & Friends - "Before" from Cafe au Lait
• Seth Horan - "Conduit" from Conduit
• Avery Sharpe Trio - "Now That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout" from Dragon Fly
• The Jay Leonhart Trio - "My Bluebird" from Cool
• Yellowjackets - "Suite 15" from Altered State
• Maurizio Rolli - "Dialoghi" from Archivi Sonori
• Steve Lawson - "Shizzle" from Grace and Gratitude

The companion Enhanced CD with this issue also includes videos from Mike Dimin, Steve Lawson, and Ribbecke Guitars

Jeff Berlin

When not tending to the Players School in Clearwater, Florida, one can find Jeff Berlin laying down some of the most dangerous bass lines on the planet. Find out what he means by Lumpy Jazz in this story by Robert Kaye.

• Kenny Gradney - Little Feat's bassist is the epitome of the rhythm section player... along with drummer Richie Hayward, they're a force to be reckoned with.
• Renaud Garcia-Fons - You've probably never heard of him, but this is one true upright bass maestro. Listen as he turns the big doghouse into one of the most soaring and versatile of instruments.
• Jonas Reingold - This Swedish bassist is a man of many hats when it comes to playing bass. In addition to his role in The Flower Kings, he also nails it down in jazz, prog rock and metal projects.

• Carol Kaye - Bassically Yours - Reading Music - Reading Notes Up the Neck
• Jimmy Haslip - Modern Improvisation and Harmony Part XXVI - Modal and Exotic Scales

• Little Feat - "Time Loves a Hero" from Highwire Act - Live in St. Louis 2003
• Renaud Garcia-Fons - "Sueno Vivo" from Entremundo
• Jeff Berlin - "Everybody Gets Old (If They Have the Time" from Lumpy Jazz
• Kirwan Brown & Henrique de Almeida - "Cafe 64" from Deux
• Jon Gagan - "New Horizon" from Transit
• David Dyson - "Donovan James" from The Dawning
• Renaud Garcia-Fons - "Aqua Jan" from Entremundo
• Redtenbacher's Funkestra - "Juggernaut Blondes" from Falling From Insanity
• Amy Shook - "Daily Grind Blues" from The Rob Levit Trio - Uncertain Path
• Karmakanic - "Do u Tango?" from Wheel of Life

The companion Enhanced CD with this issue also includes free NotePad 2005 Notation Software and Carol Kaye Play-Along tracks

Nathan East

Having turned his bass talents into one of the most formidable of careers, it's not surprising that Nathan East would release a new DVD entitled The Business of Bass.

• Juan Nelson - Ben Harper's bassist stretches out with a new project. Big Advice.
• Janek Gwizdala - This NYC bassist shows us how he's breaking into the big league of bassdom.
• Dave Love - Heads Up releases some of the finest music featuring bass and Dave Love is the reason why.

• Carol Kaye - Bassically Yours - Reading Music - Note Reading
• Jimmy Haslip - Modern Improvisation and Harmony Part XXV - Expanding Melodic Soloing and Developong Walking Bass Lines
• Bill Lanphier - Soloing Over Fast Jazz Tempos - Simplify!

• Fourplay – “Play Around It” from Journey
• Harald Weinkum - “The Chicken” from Bass-Talk 8/A Bass Bolero
• Big Advice – “On Tha One” from Love Shines
• Yellowjackets – “Gabriela Rose” from Time Squared
• Joseph Patrick Moore – “Herbie” from JPM's Drums & Bass Society
• Janek Gwizdala – “Say What”
• Spyro Gyra – “Wiggle Room” from The Deep End
• Brad Mehldau (Bass - Larry Grenadier) - "Solar" from Art of the Trio 4

Enhanced CD includes Ampeg B500DR Video Demo, Ampeg Product Catalog 2004, Stocktones Video Demo

Chris Squire + Billy Sherwood = Conspiracy

The track "New World" on this issue's companion CD exemplifies Chris Squire’s trademark sound. And former Yes alumnus Billy Sherwood scores big points in assisting the Conspiracy project to get that sound, that we all know and love. Who could ask for anything more?

• Bunny Brunel - The CAB project motors along with number 4, although you'll have trouble finding number 3 - find out why in this candid conversation with one of fusion's greatest proponents, Mr. Bernard himself.
• NAMM 2004 - It's always a treat to start the year with the new gear of the Winter NAMM show, and this year was no exception. In fact, after the lackluster performance of the MI industry in 2003, this year opened with the promise of better things ahead - and it's off to a great start!
• Portrait of Jaco - More than 10 years in the making, this amazing project finally hit the streets late last year, and who better to encapsulate it than author Bill Milkowski?

• Carol Kaye - Bassically Yours - Rock 'n' Roll Easy Bass Lines - Getting Started Playing Electric Bass
• Jimmy Haslip - Modern Improvisation and Harmony Part XXIV - Expanding Melodic Soloing and Developong Walking Bass Lines

• Conspiracy (Chris Squire & Billy Sherwood) – “New World” from The Unknown
• Tony McAlpine/Bunny Brunel/Dennis Chambers - “Bass Ackward” from CAB4
• David Hughes – “Waiting for the Crowd” from Swoosh
• Jamie Gatti – “Snowy Mountain Hoedown” from Holiday Bassix
• Edo – “46 West” from Edo
• Paul Novotny – “The Man in the Red Suit”
• Freekbass – “Always Here” from The Air is Fresher Underground

• Enhanced CD includes Bootsy Colins/Freekbass video and Sibelius G7 software demo

Jaco Pastorius Big Band

Some of the world’s greatest bass players have contributed to the Word of Mouth Revisted project. We sat in on some of the South Florida sessions — come join us for an insight to this amazing music.

• Janice-Marie - Women who rock? How about women who funk? J-M continues to pump it out with a new release, not to mention her classic achievements.
• Sandin Wilson - This Oregon-based musician is not only one of the best bassists around, he can sing too!
• Scott Spray - You may not recognize his name, but you’ve quite likely heard his playing. Learn all about Scott right here, right now.

• Carol Kaye - Bassically Yours - Reading Music Part XXII - Inventing Walking Lines for Written Chord Charts
• Jimmy Haslip - Modern Improvisation and Harmony Part XXIII - Expanding Melodic Soloing and Developong Walking Bass Lines

• Jaco Pastorius Big Band (Jimmy Haslip) – “Havona”
• Greg Howe/Victor Wooten/Dennis Chambers - “Crack It Way Open” From Extraction [Tone Center]
• Sandin Wilson – “Fieldtrip”
• Peter Muller – “Eastbound”
• Jon Reshard – “22”
• Bryan Beller – “Seven Percent Grade”
• Scott Spray featuring Paul Nelson – “Bass-tra-mental”
• Janice-Marie – “Boogie Oogie Oogie”
• Joe McBride - “Yebo”

Jack Casady

The legendary bassist has released his first solo CD, Dream Factor. Jack is also a partner in Hot Tuna and plays his own Epiphone Signature bass.

• A Tribute to Felix Pappalardi - Known mostly for his role as bassist with Mountain, Pappalardi was also involved with many other artists, including Cream.
• Dave Meros - Spock's Beard's new release, Feel Euphoria, shows the evolution the band has undergone since the departure of their original front man Neal Morse.

• Carol Kaye - Bassically Yours - Reading Music Part XXI
• Jimmy Haslip - Modern Improvisation and Harmony Part XXII - Expanding Melodic Soloing and Developong Walking Bass Lines

• Jack Casady - "Outside"
• Oteil & The Peacemakers - "Get Ready"
• King's X (Doug Pinnick)- "Finished"
• Spock's Beard (Dave Meros) - "Shining Star"
• John Patitucci - "Lei"
• Jake Kot - "Missing Weather"
• The Larry Steen World Jazz Ensemble - "Whelan's Jig"
• Pedro Peres - "Portinho"
• Oscar Stagnaro - "Paulo's Mood"
• Mountain (Felix Pappalardi) - "Sittin' On A Rainbow"

T.M. Stevens

Watch out! Five seconds into the first track on the Bassics companion CD tells you everything you need to know about T.M. - this is one dangerous bassman!

• New Gear 2003 - From the Bongo bass to the Mini Mo' preamp, there's enough new gear to satisfy even the most discerning bassist. Check it all out!
• Jim DeJulio - Melding vintage recording with state-of-the-art DVD techniques, the new Jim DeJulio release has it all - 5.1 surround sound, 96kHz/24-bit and session video. What more could you ask for?
• Trey Gunn - Bass without bass? Why not? Find out how Trey Gunn approaches the range of a piano withoug touching a bass per se. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

• Alain Caron - Contemporary Bass - Motif Development
• Carol Kaye - Bassically Yours - Reading Music Part XX
• Ray Ramirez - The Latin Corner - To Read or Not to Read

• T.M. Stevens - "Thumb (instrumental)"
• Gerald Veasley - "Bread Puddin'"
• Jim DeJulio - "If You Were A Pal"
• King Crimson (Trey Gunn) - "Eyes Wide Open"
• The Gregory James Band (Benny Rietveld) - "Come To Me"
• Jan-Olof Strandberg - "Mel"
• Steve Lawson - "Amo Amatis Amare"
• Britt Peters & Lars Lehmann - "Amazing Grace"
• Spyro Gyra (Scott Ambush) - "Handheld"

Dave Pomeroy

Nashville-based Pomeroy's credits read like a who's who of the music world. For his own projects, Dave likes to use the bass exclusively, even though it may sound like more than that. Join us for a candid conversation with this amiable player.

• John Myung - In addition to Dream Theater, John Myung explores other musical avenues including Platypus and The Jelly Jam trio of King's X' guitarist Ty Tabor and Dregs' drummer Rod Morgenstein.
• Kim Stone - Known mostly as an electric bassist, Kim has recently been concentrating on his upright playing, although his new release, Let's Cool One, is still mostly electric. And how great it is!
• Bill Wyman - Though his decision to stop touring took him out of the limelight as bassist of the "world's greatest rock 'n' roll band," Wyman's penchant for documenting life events has resulted in some fascinating projects, including his latest, Rolling With the Stones a mammoth undertaking you won't want to miss.

• Ricky Showalter - As bassist for the Grammy-nominated band Liquid Soul, Showalter shows us that holding down the bottom is but one aspect of a successful player. Multi-faceted takes on a whole new meaning in Ricky's case.
• Santi Debriano - Respected among his peers, this New Yorker's musical prowess crosses many boundaries in bass playing.

• Alain Caron - Contemporary Bass - Motif Development
• Carol Kaye - Bassically Yours - Reading Music Part XX
• Ray Ramirez - The Latin Corner - To Read or Not to Read

• Dave Pomeroy - "Ridin' Sideways"
• Solar Wind (Sean Mason)- "Sedona Sunrise (Reprise)"
• Santi DeBriano - "Holiday"
• Kim Stone - "Big Butt"
• Yellowjackets (Jimmy Haslip) - "Boomtown"
• Joseph Patrick Moore - "Qui Es-Tu Marie-Jeanne?"
• Don Miller - "It's Like You Never Left"
• Liquid Soul (Ricky Showalter) - "I Was Meant to Be Rich"
• The Jelly Jam - "No Remedy"

Celebrating Jaco

• The Revival of Jaco - Jaco stalwart Ricky Schultz reflects on the career of the "World's Greatest Bass Player"
• "Portrait of Jaco" - Subtitled "The Early Years," Jaco's longtime friend Bob Bobbing is releasing this collection of original Jaco recordings, along with audio quotations from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, and a plethora of other Jaco associates.
• Brian Bromberg - Incorporating his trademark production and playing skills, Bromberg offers his personal arrangements of many of the tunes Jaco was best known for.
• Tributes - Words and music from some of Jaco's compatriots: Mark Egan, Peter Erskine, Dann Glenn, Dave LaRue, Michael Manring & Maurizio Rolli, Michael Farquharson.
• In Memoriam - John Entwistle and Ray Brown
• Gear Reviews - Yamaha BB1500A and BB1000MA
• Book Reviews - 4 new Jaco songbooks
• Music Media - new CD-Roms and DVDs
• Workshops from Jimmy Haslip, Carol Kaye, and Alain Caron
• And more!

• Maurizio Rolli & A.M.P. Big Band (with Michael Manring) - "Donna Lee Jam"
• Kai Eckhardt and Benjamin Hüllenkremer - "The Cat"
• Jaco Pastorius/Peter Graves Orchestra - "Wiggle Waggle"
• Yellowjackets - "Galileo (For Jaco)"
• Brian Bromberg - "Slang(ish)"
• Dave LaRue - "Juanita"
• Michael Farquharson - "Balloon Song"
• Alain Caron/Uzeb - "Donna Lee"
• Peter Erskine "Song for Jaco (Song for a Friend)"

New Gear 2002

Got Gear? Loads of the best new gear of the year is all here, including the new Parker Fly Bass

• John Paul Jones - Not just a bass player, JPJ offers up some eclectic new music. Are 12 strings enough? Includes transcription and audio to "Leafy Meadows"
• John B. Williams - Music meets poetry. A good combination if you have the touch. Audio and transcription to "Bass Calling Out" included.
• Mike Dimin - Make the most of your four strings by using chordal voicings. Audio and transcription to "The Shadow of Your Smile" will get you started.

• Jing Chi (Jimmy Haslip) - "Go Figure"
• Freddy Valeriani- "What's the Point"
• Harvie S - "En La Batalla"
• Terje Gewelt with Christian Jacob - "Westwood"
• Ron Jenkins - "Back When"