Bass Magazine digs into the latest releases of albums, books, and videos involving all things bass.
Robbie Robertson – Sinematic [UMe]
Pino Palladino and frequent drum partner Chris Dave provide a vital but understated core for ex-Band guitarist Robbie Robertson’s atmospheric latest effort, which draws from autobiographical and cinematic themes (Robertson scored Martin Scorsese’s latest film, The Irishman, to which some of the songs here are connected). On tracks like “Hardwired,” “Walk in Beauty Way,” “Dead End Kid,” “Let Love Reign Down,” and “Shanghai Blues,” Pino’s bass lines are two- or three-note affairs, equally dependent on space, and with a deep tone (think Tony Levin with Peter Gabriel). He also provides his signature double-stops and other tasty fills in the vocal gaps throughout. L.A. session ace Reggie Hamilton and drummer Jim Keltner are onboard for two of the 13 tracks. —Chris Jisi
Mike Stern / Jeff Lorber Fusion – Eleven [Concord Jazz]
Concord Jazz remains one of the idiom’s most vital labels, giving voice t