Astral Traveling #41 – Double Bass Special, w/ Maxime L. & Ken Okuda

Back to geeking out a bit following last year's Flute Special show, this time joining forces with dear Ken Okuda for a Double Bass Special episode of Astral Traveling.

Already a host of one of our listening sessions some time ago, Ken Okuda is a DJ, event organizer, journalist as well as double bass player in his free time, who you might know from the regular shush dance nights he’s been putting together in Berlin, from his DJ sets or from his radio shows and interviews on Refuge Worldwide.

We'd been meaning to record this special episode for a while now, at least since discovering our common appreciation for French-Syrian bass legend François Rabbath and for the instrument in general. Really happy this ended up working out.

On top of its essential function of holding together a group and a groove, we also felt like shining light on the times the double bass is front and center. In that spirit, here is a very subjective attempt at balancing out less well known personal favorites, obscure finds, as well as holders of the legacy past and present. Volume 2, 3 and more definitely needed as expected. In the meantime, listen back to us making a special effort not to talk over bass solos for a change.

Headphones or good speakers highly recommended for this one.