Bass musician magazine Vuyani Wakaba
Russell K Shores - Thunder Rain by Elmeaux \\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\ Album Review Thunder Rain - Russell K Shores Genre - Funk/Jazz Of all the things I contribute to Thunder Row, one of my happiest moments is when I have the privilege of reviewing the work of one of our own TMBG students. Such is the case with this month’s album; I am honoured to present this look at Thunder Rain, the latest release by our own Russell K. Shores. From his website, Russellkshores.com: Russell Kenji Shores was born in New York has a varied and impressive resume. Nicknamed Thor or Thunder Baby by his peers for his thunderous grooves, he began playing bass at age twelve. Armed with a degree in music, he began his professional career. Russell has shared the stage with Diana Ross, Julian Lennon, The Kevin Fowler band, Lucid Dream, The Steve O’Neil Band, The Major Burkes Band, The ACC Jazz Band, The Blues Specialist, which features Mel Davis (cousin of the legendary T Bone Walker), Elliott Fikes, Soul Serenade (as musical director), Austin Alibi, the Wesley United Methodist Church, the First Baptist Church, the Mount Zion Baptist Church, and The Freedom Home Baptist Church Mass Choir under the leadership of Pastor O.B Howard Jr. Russell is also on staff as the electric and contra bass teacher at the Academy of Music in Austin Texas. Russell plays and has the endorsement of MTD basses, American and MTD Kingston and MTD strings, Visual Sound pedals, AccuGroove speaker cabs, Gruv Gear, and Reunion Blues Gig bags. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The album is a collection of 8 instrumental songs, perfectly encapsulated by the title, Thunder Rain. Each song is an emotional experience where the listener can close his/her eyes and imagine one of those special times within the weather... and the magnificent rumbling thunder that is the bass guitar. In the hands of this artist, the bass takes control of your heartbeat with its commanding growl or smooth soothing tones. Bass lovers will understand. Shores uses 5, 6, and 7 string basses, as well as a fretless, so the voices are many, the moods diverse, always leading exactly where Shores wants you to go. The opener, Breezin’, is a perfect introduction. Just close your eyes and kick back as it works its magic on your soul. A big sigh of satisfaction as this breeze passes over you. Jazzy and cool, with a serious bottom end. After we’ve had a chance to relax, along comes Big Anchor with its amazing funk-filled rhythms. We’re back on our feet for this one, even if just to bob our heads and pull on our groovy bass-face. You know the one I’m talking about. The tasty keyboard laughs in light dancing tones with big brother bass right behind to keep things heavy and rich. Mood, baby. It’s all about mood. The next mood is created in the tune, River People. It’s a busier, more intricate piece, with brassier effects on the keyboards and a funked up bass that really gives the feeling of a jam session. The first two tunes gave me the feeling of being outside. River People, despite its title, brought me the sense that I had moved indoors. Maybe the rain was coming down in buckets outside. Mr. DV follows. This is one of those songs that really stands out in the mind of a bass fan. So heavy, so hot, so many different expressions. When Shores calls the thunder, he drops those bombs right down on top of your head. Well placed as the fourth song - this one marks the end of the first half of the collection. The thunder’s really rolling now. This song is too big! Now, let’s start all over again with the second half Maybe the storm has lulled a bit, but things are about to pick up once more. The title song, Thunder Rain, goes straight to the theme. We start softly, with thunder/rain effects wafting gently in the background, along with various accents on the keyboards. Then in steps Shores, that massive sound grumbling and growling though the piece, reminding us that it’s all about that thunder! The number ends with an aggressive stomp that makes you nod in affirmation and say, “And THAT is how you do THAT.” In 6th place, Top Secret is a true bass delight! Shores’ chops are smokin’ hot. Those brassy keyboard accents walk right alongside his grooves. This man plays so well, the word “Groove” doesn’t quite seem enough to describe his lowdown vibrations. Maybe “Grooooooove” would be more appropriate. And when you say it, curl your lip, then close your fist and move it in front of your body. You feel this one in your chest! Pulling up for the next mood is GS1, another heavy funk piece with lots of slap and style. At this point in the album, I really get the feeling we’ve left the rain behind, and are now just cowering under the trees as the thunder booms above us. Tynet brings things to a close with some nice melodic bass, very handily played by Shores. The finger-work alone is enough to drop a jaw or two. The man is a true bass master, a force to be reckoned with. His skills are right up there with some of the best. I hear a little Doug Johns in his approach; both men have a solid feel for the funk, and how important it is to keep that bass out front and in your face On an album like this, the presence of the bass should never slip into the background in favour of the melodies. The keyboards and drums are definitely skillfully handled and well featured, but Shores’ keeps the bass voices well heard and in command; he reminds us that this melody IS the thunder. Russell K Shores - 5, 6, and 7 String bass and fretless bass Joel Guzman - piano, keyboards, drum programs Phil Chidester - keyboards Mike Kosacek - drums TMBG is honoured that a player of this quality hangs out among the denizens of Thunder Row. Visit RKS online http://www.russellkshores.com/ Do yourselves a big favour and buy a copy of this superb bass-heavy collection. Available as digital downloads or in CD form at CD Baby. And while we're here, check out this video of Russell K Shores t Bass, I adopted a method we haven't used before. Rather than... Last Post By: Elmeaux Today, 01:03 PM Go to last post Latest Videos Smokin' Bass! Publish Date: April 1, 2015, 4:15 am Read More Read wwwrussellkshorescom Ads . -- Thunder Row 4.1 by Patrick -- Default Mobile Style Contact Us Thunder Row Archive Privacy Statement Terms of Service Top . All times are GMT +2. The time now is 09:08 PM. Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2015 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. (c)Copyright 2012 The Learning Dock” - Elmeaux

Thunder row/ teachmebassguritar.com

Dana B. Goods      We are very pleased to announce that longtime MTD USA endorsee Russell K Shores is now a MTD Kingston endorsee as well. His Kingston weapon of choice is a Saratoga and will be using it as well as others in his stable of MTD's on his new up... coming CD! Russell is known for his thunderous grooves and melodic tone - whether it be jazz, R & B, soul, blues, and more. He plays, he teaches, he writes, he directs, he does it all! His bass of choice? MTD! See More ” - Dana B Goods

MTD Kingston Basses

Start the day off right with Russell K. Shores new release "LS5". "No Stopping" puts you in the right frame with it's smooth melodies and just enough umph from his thunderous bass !! "I Shot The Sheriff "has that island feel reminiscent of the "Tuff Gong" himself. And while you're out stop by" 2120 Jade Ave" relax and smooooooooooth it out. Will " Da Thrill" Mc Neal WOWE989 JAMZ / FB: Talkin' All That Jazz On Sun, May 27, 2012 at 12:33 AM, William McNeal <smoothjazz989@gmail.com> ” - Will " Da Thrill " Mc Neal

— WOWE989 JAMZ/ FB: Talkin All That Jazz

Interview of Russell K Shores” - Donna K Phillips

Smooth Jazz .com

RUSSELL K. SHORES LS 5 Russell K Shores Honestly, there is nothing I like better with my Smooth Jazz than bass… give me that low end, funky, growling groove and I’m hooked! Needless to say when we discovered LS 5, the latest album from Russell K. Shores, all it took was one listen to make me a fan! The New York native, now Austin, Texas resident, has an impressive resume… dubbed Thunder Baby by his peers for his thunderous grooves, Russell began paying bass at the age of 12... since he has earn a degree in music and has shared the stage with many greats including the legendary Diana Ross. His soulful new album, LS 5 is packed with rich melodies and deep grooves and thankfully, plenty of Russell’s expressive electric bass guitar! Favorite tracks for us are “No Stopping” and “Tynet,” and the irresistible cover of “I Shot the Sheriff”? LS 5… get real and put in on your iPad today! ~SANDY SHORE ” - Sandy Shore

smooth jazz .com

The cd is quite musical, you have a strong groove and excellent tone. Smoothand melodic. Peace, Michael TobiasMTD (Michael Tobias Design LLC)3 Lauren CtKingston, NY 12401 USA845 246-0670” - Michael Tobias

— MTD Bass

Russell K. Shores   -   LS 5    4/4O's Notes: Russell K. Shores brings his bass to center stage owning the melodies on all seven tracks. The predominant groove is radio friendly 'quiet storm' with sampled riffs from 1980s R&B, fusion and pop tunes. There's a cool arrangement of "I Shot the Sheriff", and "Teen Town" has a nice pop. Shores takes it up a notch on "Tynet" working his bass hard! The band, Phil Chidester (keyboards), Mike Kocsacek (d), Tom Well (d) and Joel Guzman (keyboards), do fine job supporting the vision. In this case the remodeling is good! -- D. Oscar  Groomes O's Place Jazz MagazineP.O. Box 38430Charlotte, NC 28278http://www.OsPlaceJazz.com” - D. Oscar Groomes

O's Place Jazz Magazine

RUSSELL K. SHORES – L.S 5 (myspace.com/russellshores) I’m listening to this perfectly mellow and soothing album after three hectic days of going over my grandmother’s house and taking care of her animals while she’s in the hospital being treated for an ulcer. I’m understandably tired and stressed out, but after hearing the beautifully lulling and relaxing smooth jazzy opening notes of the first track “No Stopping” I forget all about my current nerve-wracking situation and get totally caught up in the sumptuously rich, relaxing, and enrapturing gradual tempos and steady, yet subdued beats that bump along at a pleasingly kicked-back rate. Of course, the crisp and professional playing helps matters a whole lot, with funky keyboards, heavy trudging basslines, sturdy drums, and neatly percolating guitars seamlessly blending together to create a sweetly soulful and appealing lowdown groovy sound that’s impossible to either resist or dislike (the instrumental cover of “I Shot the Sheriff” in particular completely smokes in a marvelously easygoing sort of way). An excellent album. the world accordind to Wawrzyniak , Joe Wawrzyniak Jersey Beat” - Joe Wawrzyniak

Jersey Beat