KARL CLEWS, the bass player, session musician, and founder of the Galway jazz-funk-fusion band, Earthship, has just released his new album - Navigator.
His second album, Navigator finds Clews performing original music on a variety of bass guitars, including a piccolo bass and a tenor bass, with contributions from saxophonist Bertrand Huvé, guitarist Ciaran Storey, and drummer Richie Dittrich.
"This album sees me exploring further the concept of the bass as a solo and lead instrument," says Clews, "with more expansive compositions drawing on a wider range of influences, from African to South American styles, from jazz, funk, and fusion, to hip-hop, and a wider tonal and textural palette."
ALBUM STREAM
Taking inspiration from one of his key influences, Jaco Pastorius, Clews wanted to challenge the notion of the bass guitar being solely an accompanying instrument, underpinning the music, but not in the foreground. As such, he applied his classical guitar training to his bass playing.
'There is a perception, especially among fellow musicians, that 'That's not how you play the bass''
"What I missed from my days of playing classical guitar was the ability to sit down with an instrument and play a piece of music that sounded 'complete'," he said. "So I started experimenting with a classical-guitar style technique on the bass to create arrangements in which I was playing, not just the bassline, but also the melody and harmony, all at the same time.
"I would upload these 'solo bass arrangements' of popular songs and movie themes to YouTube. Other people started liking and sharing these videos, and I discovered there was an audience for this kind of thing, despite the general perception, especially among fellow musicians, that 'That's not how you play the bass'. Navigator provides a demonstration of just how versatile - and misunderstood - the modern electric bass can be."To listen to/download the album go to www.karlclewsbass.bandcamp.com See also www.karlclews.com and YouTube.
