Good newjazz/fusion bands.

BillytheBassist · #1 01-20-2007, 04:33 PM

I'm looking for some new listening material, I've been listening to bands like Altered, brand X, tunnels, Herbie hancock, MM&W etc. I was just wondering if you guys could suggest some bands that i may not have heard of.

Richard Lindsey · #2 01-20-2007, 05:03 PM

Well, I kinda like Jaga Jazzist, though I don't really know exactly what you'd call them.

I love this French-Vietnamese guitarist named Nguyen Le. Really talented guy. I dunno if I'd call it fusion exactly, but it's sure not straightahead. There's a great album of his called Bakida. Most of the bass work is 5 string upright, by a guy named Renaud Garcia-Fons, who's a monster ... plays some amazing upper-register arco stuff. But Carles Benavent (ex-Chick Corea) guests on a couple on fretless electric. Le also did an album of Hendrix music--called Purple--but I haven't heard it.

A guy whom I like but who doesn't seem to record much is Peter Apfelbaum. He did a couple of records with his old band (the Hieroglyphics Ensemble) called Signs of Life and Jodoji Brightness. Check them out if you can find them (not sure they're still in print).

Finally, a couple of friends of mine are in a band called Monkeyworks, and they're pretty cool. I think you can find their stuff at CDBaby and/or eMusic.

Hope this helps.

BillytheBassist · #3 01-20-2007, 07:36 PM

Thanks Richard, I'll be sure and peep those out.

jerry · #4 01-22-2007, 05:08 AM

+1, on Nguyen Le, I recently picked up his album with Peter Erskine and was impressed, I'll have to pick up the Bakida album.

Aarix · #5 01-22-2007, 06:02 AM

Man I love Jaga Jazzist. I'm not sure if they count as jazz though. I guess it's some crazy blend of rock, electronic, and classical phrasing.

I've been really liking a couple new fusion/ "new jazz" (whatever that means) albums lately. Both have a number of great bassists as an added bonus.

First is Mike Stern's "Who let the Cats Out?" with Richard Bona, Meshell Ndegeocello, Vic Wooten, and Anthony Jackson all taking turns on different cuts. This album is like a dictionary of great bass grooves. Drummer Bonus: Dave Weckl, Kim Tompson.

Next is John McLaughlin's "Industrial Zen". Parts of it are a little flaky, but if you can get past that you'll get some great playing by Hadrien Feraud, Matt Garrison, and Tony Grey. Drummer Bonus: Dennis Chambers, Zakir Hussein.

In short, whoever you think the best new jazz bass player is, he is probably on one of those two albums.