I think i was almost sick but i can't remember due to passing out half way through. Ok so alot of the stuff i listened to could be described by some ignorant people as bass wankery but to be quite honest i couldn't give a **** I was impressed ... a lot. Is there anything that he does that i should defiantly check out. remember i am a total noob to this guy so some of your suggestions may seem to you quite obvious :)

Nice one!

Jonas, alongside Geddy Lee, is my #1. Where do I start.

Well, if you can get your hands on Elegant Punk, do. It's his "bass solo" album, but features some startling compostions. Considering when it was made, it breaks some real ground. It has stood the test of time as an album of integrity and brilliance, and is a must-have. However, it's very hard to get hold of, as it's out of print. If you ever have the chance to get it, do.

His newest solo record, "Kali's Son" is a favourite of mine. In it, Jonas plays with Nildari Kumar (a guy who is really innovating with the Sitar and Zitar) and Selvaganesh. It's a storming album, full of honest improvisation and wonderfully catchy tunes. The carnatic (south indian classical) influence is heavily present on this record. It shimmers and it is simple beautiful. This one really opened my eyes to world music.

Of his more typical electric fusion, "Abstract logic" is the record to own. It's just been re-released by Bardo Records. It highlights a very special moment in the careers of all the musicians involved. Jonas was just starting to explore a more eastern approach to his song writing, Shawn was the guitar whizz kid who was about to have his entire musical taste rehspaed by Jonas, and Kofi Baker was only 17, which is amazing when you listen to him. At times, the music seems almost naive when you consider the mastery that Shawn and Jonas would later display, but through this naivety, they cannot help but speak in honest voices when they play, and it's wonderful to hear.

If you dig that, there is much, much more I can recommend you!

I've owned Abstract Logic and "Jonas Hellborg Group" (the 2 bass project), as well as "the Word" and still own Elegant Punk, Time is the Enemy, Personae, Temp. Analogues of Paradise, Kali's Son, Good People in Times of Evil, Octave of the Holy Innocents (w/Buckethead), and Icon.

They're all winners, but I'd probably start with Kali's Son for the Indian stuff and Personae for the fusion trio stuff (Temp Analogues may be a touch better, but it's also 2 really long tracks, while Personae and Time is the Enemy break the material up a bit more). But that's just me. "The Word" is "album I most wish I still had".

good luck in digging into this stuff.

Just had a listen to his duet with Trilok Gurtu, what can i say i am inspired.

Temporal Analogues is brilliant, but for someone getting into Jonas, I agree it could be a bit much. Sometimes on that record though, they just seem to go into "God Mode" and acheive amazing moments of harmony and melody.

Time is the Enemy is another stormer, and I must say, I have been pleasantly surpirsed by Zenhouse. If you really dig the indian flavoured stuff, Icon is great, the last track, "Escape" is as moving and beautiful as anything I have ever encountered. Good People...is fantastic, and the Paris DVD is simply stunning. I got it for Xmas, it's been blowing my pants off ever since.

Would i have to go to a independent record store for his stuff i'm guessing ?? Is it quite hard to track down ??

Would i have to go to a independent record store for his stuff i'm guessing ?? Is it quite hard to track down ??

You'll have to look online.

Abstract Logix doesn't have much, Bardo Records will sort you out though!

I'm pretty much impressed by his playing - he was my main inspiration for bassplaying.
And here in Poland it's impossible to buy any of his music, so i had to get it from USA (thanks to one of my friends). I have 'Paris', 'Good People', 'Kali's Son'. I would like to buy others very much, but for some it's impossible (Elegant Punk for that matter ;/).
Thanks God we have internet.

Excellent bassist who compositional abilities far exceeds most bassist out there today and ultimately writes some of the best music, period.

I'm not a huge fan of his, but I really enjoy some of the songs on his album "Personae" with Shawn Lane and Jeff Sipe. "Time Is The Enemy", "Rice With The Angels", the title track, and especially "Rag B/B" are incredible pieces of music, you should check them out!

:cool:
Jonas is one of my favs.
ENJOY!

You realy should chech out his new project "Jonas Hellborg's Art Metal" with another swedish superhero "Mattias IA Eklundh" on guitar. If you like music with odd timing this is a must. http://www.hellborggroup.com/news.html

You realy should chech out his new project "Jonas Hellborg's Art Metal" with another swedish superhero "Mattias IA Eklundh" on guitar. If you like music with odd timing this is a must. http://www.hellborggroup.com/news.html

I am awaiting that album as well, should be fun!
I prefer his fusiony stuff personae, temp analogues, abstract logic
Jonas has some really great solo's.

I listened to the song escape, that is good, my style :)

You realy should chech out his new project "Jonas Hellborg's Art Metal" with another swedish superhero "Mattias IA Eklundh" on guitar. If you like music with odd timing this is a must. http://www.hellborggroup.com/news.html

Jonas is rocking it as he always does, but IA is a huge let down in terms of sideman.

After Shawn lane, Buckethead and John Mclaughlin, he has a hard act to follow, and he just isn't cut out for it. I'll still buy the album to support Jonas and because I know that he will have at least put his heart and soul into it.

Butler, if you wanna talk more about Jonas, feel free to add me to your messenger.

graceunderpressure2112@hotmail.co.uk

Heck, if anyone wants to talk bass/life/whatever, add me 'cause this is an ever expanding thing!

Jonas is rocking it as he always does, but IA is a huge let down in terms of sideman.

After Shawn lane, Buckethead and John Mclaughlin, he has a hard act to follow, and he just isn't cut out for it. I'll still buy the album to support Jonas and because I know that he will have at least put his heart and soul into it.

Butler, if you wanna talk more about Jonas, feel free to add me to your messenger.

graceunderpressure2112@hotmail.co.uk

Heck, if anyone wants to talk bass/life/whatever, add me 'cause this is an ever expanding thing!

Jonas and I disagrees with you

Jonas and I disagrees with you

I don't even recall me saying I'd never disgaree with Jonas. It's obvious Jonas likes Mattias's sound, you don't need to tell me that. As for you disagreeing with me, so?

Lets not make this into a "mourn for Shawn" thread.

[QUOTE=Chris2112;3697478]Nice one!

Jonas, alongside Geddy Lee, is my #1. Where do I start.
QUOTE]

Me too Chris

Jonas is the biggest influnce on my playing.

Super gentleman in person as well.
I have nothing but the highest respect for this man.

He just kicks @ss.

;)

Nice to see an old thread revived. I have since got into Jonas big style. must make a point i getting his albums though :)

This is one bassist I've been meaning to check out for a while. I guess I'm off to Youtube then :D .

This is one bassist I've been meaning to check out for a while. I guess I'm off to Youtube then :D .

There is some really great stuff of his on Youtube...a particularly good video is the 6 minute video that Anders Johansson uploaded. The last minute or so, they play the coolest little ditty, composed by Ander's late father Jan for some Swedish tv show. Awesome video!

If you need any recommendations for where to start album-wise, just ask!

There is some really great stuff of his on Youtube...a particularly good video is the 6 minute video that Anders Johansson uploaded. The last minute or so, they play the coolest little ditty, composed by Ander's late father Jan for some Swedish tv show. Awesome video!

If you need any recommendations for where to start album-wise, just ask!

Sure, I'm open to suggestions. Just curious, what's his stuff with Mahavishnu Orchestra like? I also like what I've seen with Shawn Lane. Did they record together?

Sure, I'm open to suggestions. Just curious, what's his stuff with Mahavishnu Orchestra like? I also like what I've seen with Shawn Lane. Did they record together?

He played on two albums with the Mahavishnu Orchestra (as it was in those days), "Mahavishnu" and "Adventures in Radioland" (This was was by "John Mclaughlin and Mahavishnu"). Mahavishnu as a band had had a lot of member changes and the band was a lot better (imo) because of it. John was on guitar and Roland synclavier, Billy Cobham played on the first record but was replaced by the superb Danny Gottlieb, Mitchel Forman played keys and Bill Evans was on saxophones. The real gem of these two records is "Adventures...", given it's lush sounds and wonderful tunes. From heavy fusion to solo acoustic pieces, to the solo extravaganza "Gotta Dance", I really love this album. Jonas is on really fine form, despite his opinions about the artistic integrity of the group. He uses his Wal double neck and gets some really nice tones, especially with his chorus engaged. The best tracks for hearing Jonas here are "Gotta Dance" since he pulls out a wicked slap solo and "Florianopolis". The latter may well be the best track on the record, with brilliant acoustic guitar reminiscent of the more conservative moments of the Guitar Trio records and with shades of things to come that would be seen on records like Que Alegria. On this track, Jonas plays a sweet fretless line and finds the perfect mix of business and solidarity. An absolutely bombastic track with the whole band on top form.

And yes, Jonas and Shawn recorded many times together. The first would be 1994's Abstract Logic (re-released last year) with Ginger Baker's 17 year old son Kofi on the drums (and he is brilliant!). This was a formative foray into the two branches of music they would pursue. The bulk of the tracks are written by Hellborg and so reflect his tastes at the time which he would develope much further. Abstract Logic goes between moments of Indian influence in the melodies like in the track "Abstract Logic" and the heavy, improvisation based fusion of later records on tracks like Serpents and Pigs and Rice With The Angles.

The duo would be joined by Jeff Sipe and record several more albums of fusion. The first would be Temporal Analogues of Paradise, perhaps Jonas's most daring project at the time. The record stands of two tracks, over an hour long of continous jamming with a short break after the first 32 minutes. The record takes a while to open up if you're used to the shorter, most concise traditional tracks, but it's worth the effort. Moments of beautiful levity are acheived, such as Shawn's "Voice and Guitar" solo 13 minutes into the first track, or Jonas's subtle solo section in the first movement. Maybe one to look into later, but a very interesting listen for Lane/Hellborg enthusiast, as one can spot heads and melodies used in their improvisation that would be remembered and used later to write complete tracks. Sipe also proves himself to be a brilliant fusion drummer too, and holds things together nicely.

After this "Time is the Enemy" (also just re-released) provides more of their electric fusion but with shorter, more concise songs. Recorded around the world in 1996, this album is excellent in that Lane, Sipe and Hellborg seem to have developed a true understanding of each other and the music seems incredibly flowing and honest, as always.

Next up would be Personae and Zenhouse. Personae is a re-recording of several of the trio's songs, though on this cut they are fast, aggressive and urgent. At times it can seem to lack subtlety, but the set is so energetic that could be seen as a plus! Zenhouse is completely different, and could almost be seen as the acoustic counterpart to "Temporal Analogues of Paradise". Yep, Jonas on his Ovation acoustic double neck, Shawn on acoustic guitar and Sipe on the drums, the trio play some wonderfully textured acoustic stuff divded into four movements. The last movement is particularly good as the melodies fly, licks are traded and resolution is acheived. It's nice to hear them in acoustic mode, even though I prefer them on electric. Jonas's acoustic playing brings in a lot from his "Aram of the two Rivers" record, which he recorded with local musicians in Syria. Again, this is an interesting record to check out, and one of Jonas's first forays into world music in a sense. It can be quite a difficult listen until one tunes into the tonalities and melodic mindset of the Syrian musicians, but it's very rewarding ideed and has Jonas's acoustic playing showcased at it's best!

After this, Jonas's recorded output was heavily Indian-influenced, having contained Hindustani and Pakistani elements for years. "Good People in times of evil" sees them paired with V. Selvaganesh on the Kanjeera. They play acoustic instruments with wonderful precision and make some really beautiful sounds. "Aga of The Ladies" is particularly stunning. An absolute treat of a record.

Following in the Indian vein, Hellborg and Lane would again team up with Selvaganesh, joined by his brothers Umamahesh and Umashankar. These guys recorded "Icon" a stunning collaboration of Eastern and Western musicians. The album is a stunning Indo-fusion record, split into four movements. The last movement, "Escape" is without a doubt the best, perhaps the highlight of Jonas's career for me. It is stunning beyond words, highly technical and yet always focused on the joyous melody. The "call and response" section at the end between bass and guitar and Kanjeera and Ghatam is particularly beautiful, but just listen in awe as Jonas and Shawn snake over the vocal line and give some of their finest solos ever. The whole piece is incredibly uplifiting and so hard to put into words, but if you only hear one Hellborg song, make it this one. Also, it's the last recording of Shawn Lane, at least in a studio. Thankfully he gives one of the most legendary performances of his career with his soloing and it's a fitting end to a legend of guitar. Dear Lord. A DVD of the group is available, where they play a live set of "Good people..." material, Jonas plays acoustic and Lane plays electric.

Following this was another brilliant album of Indian fusion, Kali's Son. Jonas again teamed up with Selvaganesh and Indian Sitar/Zitar player Nildari Kumar. Kumar plays his Zitar through a guitar effects unit, meaning we get all sorts of distorted and effect-laden sitar playing. Another excellent album with the song Kali Ghat on it, which is stupidly beautiful. Again, this one comes with my highest reccomendation. Oh, Jonas plays electric on this one, as he and Shawn did on Icon, just though I'd mention that.

And so....wow, how did this post get so big?