Alberto Rigoni - Michael Manring - Stuart Hamm - 2026 - Dystopia

(40:26; Melodic Revolution Records)

At the bottom of the front cover it says, “A Progressive Bass Journey”, and in many way that tells you all you need to know about this album. The lead musicians on this instrumental release are Alberto Rigoni (Italy), Michael Manring (USA) and Stuart Hamm (USA), all playing bass in different styles and techniques, with the only other musicians being drummers Tim “Herb” Alexander (ex-Primus) and David Menoudakis who play on three tracks each out of the nine on offer. What they are attempting to achieve here is a fusion of progressive rock, metal, fusion, soundscapes, and experimental textures which together combine to create an album which is quite different to many others.

It is hugely cinematic in that one can certainly imagine this being used in a science fiction soundtrack, and while they are all masters of their instruments this is about ensuring the basses are being used to create music, as opposed to all being about ego. In many ways it is a fascinating album, with space being a very important element indeed, and it shows just how many diverse sounds and textures can come from a bass guitar (or three), which is rarely thought of as being a lead instrument. Unlike other albums I have heard where the bass is the feature instrument, this is fascinating not just for the dexterity but for the musicality and enjoyment one gets from it. “The Algorithm”, one of the tracks without drums, concentrates mostly on a single fretless bass and is simply beautiful, fully capturing the listener: so much so that the more uptempo “Entropia” which follows is something of a shock to the system. This is an intriguing release, and definitely one of the most enjoyable I have heard from Rigoni. 

Kev Rowland, March 2026

Links:
https://albertorigoni.net/
https://manthing.com/
https://stuhamm.com/
https://mrrmusic.com/