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All good chaps - this is just the first of many (hopefully) - be great to see any other BC Jazz-funk lovers down there - ridiculous drummer on this gig Gabor is amazing - everyone else is pretty darn good too (I can hold it together on a good day...) anyway no more bumps now - hope some others can make it - if not - next time... Cheers Mike

Hey all, I have a great new band - a six piece featuring trumpet/tenor sax frontline, guitar, drums, bass and percussion - while it is a funk-ish band we go in to Latin, African and Brazilian grooves too plus some funk and hip-hop vibes - all with strong melodies etc.... the band is so new that we haven't managed to record anything yet but our first full rehearsal was already cooking, so anyone who's in London next Saturday and digs some of this jazzy-funky-latin-y stuff will really enjoy it (I think). The venue is the Spice Of Life pub in Soho - it's got a great basement music venue which is where we'll be playing - the gig is part of the London Jazz Festival too - and we sold it out when we did the same slot (with a different line up) last year. Info link: [url="http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/event/j-sonics"]http://www.londonjaz.../event/j-sonics[/url] The line is: Great up and coming saxophonist Matt Telfer and trumpeter Andy Davis (who usually hosts the Ronnie Scott's jam session), super fine guitarist Clement Regert (see clip below of his band which has similar vibe), plus myself on bass, amazing Hungarian drummer Gabor Dorneyi and superb percussionist Jon Newey. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucsFXtoBEFs[/media] We're hoping to be out gigging a lot more in the new year but this should be a fun and funky night out - so do come on down if you can. Thanks for reading Mike

I have a hangover... those pictures aren't helping me get inspired right now.... will get back to you

My fave bad jazz pun/song title is 'I got ridduv 'em' by Sir Laurence of Cottle - typically it's an ultra-complex take on that most over-played of jazz tunes...

I voted yesterday - it's close....

This band are seriously addictive - Ground Up is a great album - the fact it's all recorded live with no overdubs is impressive too. I think I need to see these guys at the London jazz Fest playing XOYO on Monday 12 Nov - really good mix of styles

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1351015704' post='1846291'] Nearly forgot about this [link down at the moment] But i did listen a few days back. I really like it, and it's nice and polished [for me] Being a Jazzer at heart, anything that leans that way always tends to draw me in a some point. Great stuff Mike. Garry [/quote] Nice one Garry - it's funny this album really isn't 'jazz' in any way but all the musicians on it are jazz players - but I guess there's quite a bit of improvising going on in a subtle way - which you don't get on a lot of 'pop/rock' albums - anyway I'm glad you enjoyed it and yes it's all been mixed and mastered by some really great pro people - so the end result sounds about as good as it can... Thanks for listening (the link seems to be working now by the way) Cheers Mike

damn - wanted to catch the new show but blew it (just so damn busy I forgot when it was on) - I think he's playing Manchester so might get up for that one - love the man and his music - he's so far ahead of the rest of us... he's out of sight. His knowledge of the inside of computer music/synths is equal or greater than his skills on bass - he has a truly frightening talent. Thoroughly nice chap though - and very down to earth in person. So there you go.

Warwick... and I played one for 18 years so I know them VERY well indeed....

"Groan, not another VW video" I hear you say - well I enjoyed this and there's no slapping on it - actually I think it shows just how human and raw Vic's playing can be as he's reaching for stuff, and making mistakes, as if he's jamming alone at home - plus I think it's actually woth quoting the description to give you the context of where and why he's playing (from the uploader): "Bass Clinic at MaKo Music, April 23, 2012. Filmed by Jason Werner, Audio by Scott Griffin Victor put on this clinic at a local music school in Mechanicsville, Va. He and the school's owner had worked together at several of Victor's music camps, including one that was flooded by a storm which resulted in all kinds of mayhem! He decided to put on this free clinic at the school, and this is one song from that day. It should be pointed out that this was at 8am Sunday morning, and during a torrential downpour. Victor showed up, picked up the bass, and absolutely shredded for about 30 minutes straight. Then he answered some questions from the crowd, and was just a great guy all around. He also signed a bass I brought." and if you listen on headphones you can hear the rain hammering against the tent - anyway it just made me feel good listenin to it - not for any other reason that it's played with such a great groove and feeling.... the bass line half way through is the best bit I think [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eynnYLXW3Fo[/media]

[quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1350654942' post='1841854'] That Sei's almost too beautiful - I suppose I'll just have to suffer looking at it ! I went after one of Jon Shukers that was very much like your Sei but I was outbid , sadly. [/quote] It is lovely - but really is a regular 'jazz' under the purdy spalted (mouldy!) maple top - I like regular J-pups too but I like the ramp thing as well so I thought why not get the same vibe on the pups as well - but this was where I got the idea from:

Here's mine - these are Nordy NS4s - under soapbar housings - I liked the Sadowsky vibe so I nicked it for my Sei

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1350552419' post='1840320'] Cheers gents! I appreciate the kind words. My other half is an English teacher and I don't think she'd approve of my rhyming choice (I'd probably get a 'detention' for that one), but it was the best I could come up with. Plus, swearing is cool. Fact. As for the singing, I've got an old condenser mic I've had kicking around for ages - bought it cheap on a whim and never used it till now - so I plan to use these challenges as an excuse to wax lyrical. Doubt I'll ever have the cojones to sing on stage (did drunken karaoke once, on honeymoon), but hidden at home and slathered in FX, I'm quite enjoying it. [/quote] Fackin' lav it mate...

I hate to bump this - but would love to hear what anyone else thinks of this music - especially as the tracks I put together (1, 2, 4 and 7) were all recorded / edited on my home studio - although the drums were recorded elsewhere and vocals in Paris etc... although the mix and mastering were done by pros - those tunes in particular really reflect my idea of mixing up various styles in a song-format... Anyway I shan't waffle on - have a listen and let me know - I appreciate it Mike

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1350287084' post='1836689'] I'm afraid I agree with a lot of people here. It doesn't matter if you find something that ticks every box you have, you'll doubtlessly tire of it eventually and sell it to get something else. [/quote] I played my 1990 Thumb bass for 18 years and thought it was the dogs knackers until it got too heavy, I began to get annoyed with the tone when recording and I began to hate the feel of it... hence the Sei basses now - we all need a change after a while

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1350247128' post='1836403'] Just a bit of fun Mike [Nice playing on yours by the way] To be honest it's more about listening to peoples idea's and approaches for me This month and last months have thrown up some interesting stuff all round. I doubt if pitching for the right to choose a picture is high on any ones agenda... Garry [/quote] Totally - no matter the outcome the process is really inspiring - I like the fact that many people including you came at this from the 'concept' point of view, while I did a bit of that but just grabbed all my basses - next time I'll go more concept and less bass - but hey I could easily work on my tune for another week and still be finding ways to add stuff to it - which is why I'm leaving it as it is - for now! Overall though I'm really impressed - again - with everyone's efforts - top marks all round I think

*ahem* Some nice basses here - a couple nice jazz type ones too http://www.thebassgallery.com/BassProductListingTemplate.cfm?Brand=Sei%20Bass&type=Bass%20Guitar&Cat_ID=1

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1350159923' post='1835395'] Thats a very informative post thankyou! Why would a mixture of Ash and Maple be brighter/cutting more so then maple/maple [/quote] From thr sound of my own basses the ash gives the tone clarity the maple warmth and punch - but I'm sure maple and maple would do the job as well - best thing to do is consult a luthier about the best way to achieve the sound you want - it really helps if you have a half decent about this before you go down the custom route - otherwise it's not really worth going down M

IME cutting through the mix is a combination of tone woods on the bass, a quality amp and above all for front of house - a decent sound engineer. The first two on that list are in your control and perhaps the only reason to consider going for a custom bass is it's not just about the look of the instrument but what it's made from and what pickups and pre-amp you have onboard. Obviously this topic had been covered ad nauseum on BC but very simply put a classic and guaranteed recipe for a punchy tone is a maple neck, maple fingerboard, ash body - bolt on - with a poky pre installed and a couple of kick ass pups, get those basics right - wrapped up with a neck that plays beautifully and a comfortable body shape and you have a bass that can should be able to do anything. Personally my three custom basses do so much between them that I know I can get pretty much any tone I want, they all sound and play great and look lovely too... but they are just high spec tools to do a job and that's pretty much all I want to do now - make music. There are a few basses I would love to own and maybe I will own them one day - for now I'm not buying - just looking

I was trying to arrange an interview with him for BGM - he sounded keen but wanted to time it right - so still waiting to sort that On another tip I just saw him play at the Roundhouse in Camden two weeks ago with this great singer Jose James, he also on his new album No Beginning No End - that's coming out on Blue Note, they wrote a few tunes together on it, it's good - look out for drummer Chris Daddy Dave at Ronnie Scott's next month - I have a feeling Pino may well be in his band - the last they played there it was incredible...

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1350082550' post='1834517'] I slightly remixed mine and added some voice. That's it. [url="http://soundcloud.com/silddx/shltshoeriotface-i-ii-iii"]http://soundcloud.co...otface-i-ii-iii[/url] See if you can spot the Blackadder reference [/quote] Me likey... sweet work man

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1350124826' post='1834804'] Had some time a couple of days ago, so thought i would give it a go. Gone down the edgy chaotic nonsense route. [url="http://soundcloud.com/garrycribb/heros-zeros"]http://soundcloud.co...ibb/heros-zeros[/url] Garry [/quote] That kicks major amounts of booty - slightly unfair in that it's your job kind of involves writing awesome soundtrack music - nonetheless amazing work G - respect

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1350123896' post='1834788'] I know LC is capable of making his own contribution and I guess that is why I get frustrated when I hear another 'Jaco' event featuring him. Seems such as waste. But, then again, I am a Jazz Nazi so my extreme views should be treated with appropriate contempt [/quote] Shame you don't really feel that taking 15 of Jaco's best tunes - re-scoring and re-arranging them for a top class big band isn't making a 'contribution' - and correct me if I'm wrong but to the best of my knowledge Laurie has never done a Jaco project before - he's played the Chicken and Donna Lee plenty - but who hasn't? I agree that the repertory thing is a bit too common these days but if you see these guys live it's truly great to hear these tunes given the full treatment by some brilliant musicians

I'm on the move reading this so can't get the vid working - but being a friend of Laurie's and having heard him play countless times and know the extent of his skills - I think he's a lot more than just a plain old Jaco clone - but you're entitled to your opinion Rob - re the Jaco material he's done some of it is straight transcriptions but a lot of it is newly arranged and LC has done some wicked stuff with it... but hey you don't HAVE to like it! M