A collection of solo instrumentals performed on piccolo bass by HB3. Includes an intriguing solo version of "Haunted Houses" from 2009's "The Veldt." "I'm continually surprised by the unexpected expressive qualities of the piccolo bass," notes HB3. "It frequently takes on the qualities of other instruments, like mandolin and sitar, and occasionally even sounds symphonic." The piccolo bass was first used by bassist Stanley Clarke in the 1970s. It's an octave higher than a traditional bass, an octave lower than a traditional guitar. With "HB3 Plays the Piccolo Bass," HB3 takes the instrument to new dimensions of solo performance. HB3: Plays the Piccolo Bass So you like bass guitar. Well, here is a CD of bass, and only bass. HB3, his real name is unknown to me, plays the piccolo bass. This is an all-instrumental recording of just bass guitar. The good part is this record was able to hold my attention all the way through in part because of some fine melodies and not to mention some fantastic playing. I was not familiar with the instrument until I heard this album. What really struck me is how the piccolo bass can sound so much like different instruments like the acoustic guitar and mandolin. For those of you who care, this instrument is usually pitched one octave above a traditional bass and one octave lower than a guitar. Now that we have the musical theory out of the way we can talk about the music. I hear a few different styles including classical, folk, East Indian and rock. The playing is dynamic and enthralling and quite beautiful at times displaying some gorgeous melodies along the way. Favourites include "Haunted Houses" where beautifully melodic rhythms will want to stick in your head long after the music stops and the exotic sounding "Darjeeling Express" with its Eastern melodies and mixture of languid and intense strumming. Acoustic Led Zeppelin came to mind while listening to this one. The funky grooves of "Slap" is also an attention grabber where the song title fits the style of play. "Ariel" is a pretty number where slow rhythms of melancholic beauty create a relaxing atmosphere. "Positive Venus" ends the album in fine style with another melodic feast of chord progressions and meandering bass runs. This is an impressive album, especially when you consider it contains only one instrument. If you like instrumental music with a penchant for melody you may want to check this one out. -- Sea of Tranquility "Where were you when you first heard HB3? In every generation or so, an artist emerges to wipe the slate clean - from Charlie Parker to Jimi Hendrix to Jaco Pastorius to Nirvana. The mysterious HB3 has the potential to wake rock as we now know it from its corporate induced doldrums." -- Amplifier Music