App Review from bassist Hugh Richardson

Hugh Richardson is a bass player, arranger and composer currently living in London. During his time in London he has performed among others with musicians such as Ian Matthews (Kasabian), Marc Russo (Tower of Power, Yellow Jackets), John Cowan (The Doobie Brothers), Lara Johnston, Tolis Zavaliaris (Vanessa Mae), Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), Marin Alsop (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Chuck Sabo (Chaka Kahn, Elton John, Natalie Imbruglia), Alon Cohen (Passenger), Kimya, Amy Studt, Leon Mitchener (Rolf Hind, London Improvisers Orchestra), Ana Free, Gianluca Corona (Al Di Meola) and Cheryl Alleyne (Courtney Pine).

Here is what he writes about the app:

“This is an app that has such a huge amount to offer to any musician. Whether you are a beginner or at a more advanced stage there is so much information here!

The app is incredibly easy to use and having recordings of actual musicians gives the content so much more context. Two things that struck me almost immediately about the app were (A) the level of customisation within each groove and (B) the amount of depth and knowledge packed into each groove. This is not some run of the mill play along app. Every groove has been played flawlessly, comes with a complete score, a video of the recording session, the option to add, solo or mute each individual element of the groove, and last of all, some information regarding things such as the historic origins of the rhythm and notable players from the genre.

What’s so clever about this is that it gives the consumer something beyond the app to explore. This can be anything from the mechanics of each grove to information about expanding on basic principles of each grove (variation and conversation options) and even further listening that comes in the form of historical figures mentioned in the information section on the grooves.

All of this is supplemented by the free E-book that is available to download from the website or through the app. It gives further insight into the programme and also offers the user a chance to engage with the material creatively as it states that you are welcome to ‘distribute and transmit…remix….and even make commercial use of the work’.

All in all this is a very complete programme. Something of great depth that professional musicians, educators or those who are just curious about world music will get a great deal from.“