October 21, 2022 is the official release date for Lincoln Goines - The Art of the Bass Choir on Origin Records. This album is a sixteen song bass centric multi-genre recording that brings the conception of the bass as a rhythm section instrument to the forefront, showcasing the endless harmonic possibilities of the low end. It features original compositions by Lincoln as well as covers of compositions by Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, Dimitri Shostakovich, Mozart, Dori Caymmi, Bobby McFerrin, and others.
The spirit of the bass has possessed me from an early age. Of all the myriad influences, I can recall being particularly inspired by the elegant textures of Bill Lee's New York Bass Violin Choir and by the pioneering upper register explorations of Steve Swallow. From that point on it became a goal of mine to perform music in a bass ensemble format and today I stand on the shoulders of the many low-end giants that came before me.
I began actualizing this vision over the past several years as a professor at the Berklee College of Music, putting together arrangements for student ensembles. From what now has become a considerable catalog, it was a labor of love to select the pieces to feature on this project. This was done in collaboration with family and many excellent musical colleagues/former students whom I have the honor to call my friends. I surely drove them all crazy... but I had a ton of fun making this recording.
On these tracks I attempted to create a collage of styles and moods: groove, lyricism, tradition, virtuosity, sonic math, and directed chaos, textured in a context where harmonies could resonate outside the confines of keyboard temperament and within parameters of clearly voiced low end/non-tonal instruments. Indeed, an exquisite jungle of bass!
— Lincoln Goines, New York, October 2022