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Ear to the Ground: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe’s “My Baby”

For the last 30 years, saxophonist Karl Denson has done stints with Lenny Kravitz, the Greyboy Allstars, and Slightly Stoopid, but this hard-grooving solo effort is where he really hits his stride.

Karl Denson is obviously a lifer. For nearly 30 years, the saxophone sophisticate has played with Lenny Kravitz, founded boogaloo revivalists the Greyboy Allstars, and got mellow with dub rockers Slightly Stoopid. But the solo project Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe is where the man truly hits his stride. The group’s ability to blend rock, jazz, blues, and funk without sounding like a kettle-corn festival jam band (not that there’s anything wrong with that) is in and of itself commendable.

The Universe’s latest album, New Ammo, boasts a three-piece horn section, groovy Hammond B-3 and Rhodes playing, a rhythm section that recalls the Meters’ ability to somehow sound simultaneously locked-in and loosey-goosey, and a 6-string jedi in the form of D.J. Williams.

The track “My Baby” begins on a Bo Diddley-esque riff that sounds like old humbuckers being pushed through a classic 5E3 amp that’s so vintage the tweed is falling off. The rhythm section drops a heavy strut before Denson comes in to trade vacuum-tight phrases with guest vocalist Nicki Bluhm. If this tune doesn’t make you move—or at least smile—it’s quite possible you hate music. karldenson.us

This legendary vintage rack unit will inspire you to think about effects with a new perspective.

When guitarists think of effects, we usually jump straight to stompboxes—they’re part of the culture! And besides, footswitches have real benefits when your hands are otherwise occupied. But real-time toggling isn’t always important. In the recording studio, where we’re often crafting sounds for each section of a song individually, there’s little reason to avoid rack gear and its possibilities. Enter the iconic Eventide H3000 (and its massive creative potential).

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A live editor and browser for customizing Tone Models and presets.

IK Multimedia is pleased to release the TONEX Editor, a free update for TONEX Pedal and TONEX ONE users, available today through the IK Product Manager. This standalone application organizes the hardware library and enables real-time edits to Tone Models and presets with a connected TONEX pedal.

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The luthier’s stash.

There is more to a guitar than just the details.

A guitar is not simply a collection of wood, wire, and metal—it is an act of faith. Faith that a slab of lumber can be coaxed to sing, and that magnets and copper wire can capture something as expansive as human emotion. While it’s comforting to think that tone can be calculated like a tax return, the truth is far messier. A guitar is a living argument between its components—an uneasy alliance of materials and craftsmanship. When it works, it’s glorious.

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Two Iconic Titans of Rock & Metal Join Forces for a Can’t-Miss North American Trek

Tickets Available Starting Wednesday, April 16 with Artist Presales

General On Sale Begins Friday, April 18 at 10AM Local on LiveNation.com

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