A musician’s musician, Nathan has always dreamed of putting out an instrumental c.d. featuring the bass guitar. That time has come…and with nine originals and four classics, he shows off his ability/technique and knowledge of the contemporary electric bass. No other bass player in Hawai‘i, then and now has ever elevated the electric bass like Nathan has on this c.d.

Starting with the first track (Keahilapalapa), he features a 5 string fretless acoustic and a 7 string electric bass as the lead instrument. The next track features his own arrangement of Hawai‘i Pono‘i. Listen to his chordal work…very jazz like, as well as the two handed technique, in which his left hand plays the bass line, and his right hand plays chords and melody…all at the same time. On the fifth track (Paniolo Poi), he attempts to emulate a Bluegrass banjo…Yehah! On the title track (Bass Etude), he features a classical piece that he has written. The two handed technique is featured once more…with left hand playing the melody and the right hand playing the bass line. The eighth track (Ode to the 80’s), features the bass guitar with distortion effect. You’d think it was a rock guitar being played. He titles it Ode to the 80’s, because it reminds him of the rock hair bands of the 80’s.

The other featured track is Come Together. Written by the late John Lennon, Nathan puts his own spin on this Beatles classic. Performing it with the slap technique…this is done by striking the strings with his right thumb and pulling off the string with his right index and/or middle fingers. While hearing actual notes, this technique gives a percussive sound to the performance.

As technically minded this c.d. is you will find that Nathan pays attention to the music itself. With beautiful melodies, enchanting chordal work and aggressive “grooves”. This c.d. will appeal to every listener as well as musicians.

Note: Nathan arranged and performed every instrument/songs, as well as being recording engineer.