Rittor Music Bass Magazine August 2025 Issue (Summer)

■Cover/Front Feature◎[NEO-GENERATION] The Arrival of a New Technical Era (Cover: Nikamoto Ryosuke)
Music has evolved remarkably in recent years, and this has also meant the development of bass playing and technique. The genes of the predecessors who shaped the history of the bass have certainly been passed down to the present day, and a new generation of players continues to explore new possibilities in bass playing by assimilating and sublimating their techniques. Their cutting-edge playing is sure to contribute greatly to the evolution of music.
The cover and lead feature of this issue features Nikamoto Ryosuke, a top session musician with some of the best skills and techniques in Japan, and explores his concept of bass from various angles. Through interviews with six bassists who possess cutting-edge techniques and are ushering in a new era, we examine the state of bass philosophy and technique in the real scene.

[CONTENTS]
◎Long interview at the beginning: Ryosuke Nikamoto, the latest equipment and people involved that create his great performances, and the bass hero himself, the bassist talks about the appeal of Ryosuke Nikamoto ●People involved (support work) Yoshinori Adachi (engineer), Kenta Kataoka (sumika), Yuya Komoguchi, sasakure.UK (Yukei Rampage), SKY-HI, Shusei Tachibana (DISH//), Takanori Nishikawa, Michiya Haruhata, Koji Masuzaki (DIMENSION), Iyo Matsumoto, Reol, Hideo Yamaki, Reon Yuzuki, Hiroshi Shibasaki (WANDS: guitar), and Daishi Uehara (WANDS: vocals)
●Bassist Edition
IKUO / Kaho (NEE) / Toshihiro / Haku (Unite) / Fukuda Hiromu (Suspended 4th) / Mutsumi
・Specially Selected! Ryosuke Nikamoto's Bass Playing from an Arranger/Composer's Perspective ・SPECIAL TALK SESSION: Ryosuke Nikamoto x ACAne (Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni)
・Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni. A collection of bass playing masterpieces + commentary directly from the artist himself

◎ Ryo Miyaji explains: What is the new style of the new generation?
◎ NEO-GENERATION Interview: Michel Pipoquinha / Vincent Garcia / Jacob Umansky (INTERVALS) / Davie 504 / Yuki Atori / Okura Rintaro (Shin Tokyo)
◎Four noteworthy new generation overseas players

■Special supplement booklet◎A collection of 5 selected scores by Japan's bass masters. Includes 5 bass scores by bass masters who supported Japan's famous songs with their bass. "SEPTEMBER" by Mariya Takeuchi / "BLUE LAGOON" by Masayoshi Takanaka / "Sparkle" by Tatsuro Yamashita / "Gyalandu" by Hideki Saijo / "Sadness is like snow" by Shogo Hamada

■THE BASS INSTRUMENTS 1
◎The true value of Xotic: unparalleled originality inherited from countless other brands. Since its founding, Xotic has been at the heart of the bass scene with its highly original product lineup. Its sound, with its undeniable quality, continues to captivate bassists from around the world, from up-and-coming young talents to legendary veterans. This issue marks the first time that our magazine has undertaken a comprehensive feature. Through a variety of content, we will explore the brand's current status and true value.
[User Interview: Tomoaki Fukushima (Omoinotake) and Rei Tsukikawa]

■THE BASS INSTRUMENTS 2
◎ A fusion of Fender DNA and Japanese craftsmanship! ~ Fender Made in Japan Traditional 2025 Collection
The Made in Japan Traditional series combines Fender's traditional instrument-making philosophy and DNA with Japan's masterful craftsmanship. Combining high quality with an affordable price range, this series now features a limited edition model for 2025. We examine the appeal and capabilities of this series, focusing on this noteworthy model.
[Trial: Keigo Tatsumi (never young beach)]

■GEAR
◎DARKGLASS ELECTRONICS / ANAGRAM
Darkglass Electronics, a brand hugely popular among bassists, has released the ANAGRAM, a new product from the company that develops cutting-edge effects and amplifiers. What exactly can this innovative flagship bass platform do? We'll take a closer look at this much-talked-about new item, including an explanation of its features and impressions from Sota Morimitsu and HARU (BRIDEAR).

■New series 1
◎Wakazaemon presents Equipment is Romantic!
A new series by lefty bassist Wakazaemon. Wakazaemon, who has deep knowledge and love for equipment, talks about his precious equipment collection in his own words! In this commemorative first installment, he introduces three of his favorite models from his amp collection.

■New Series 2
◎BeeMaga Lab - Bass Lab A new serial project has been launched in which experts debate specific topics that interest bassists! The commemorative first topic is what effects pedals beginners should buy? The necessity of effects pedals for bassists. We hope you will get some hints on choosing effects pedals from the opinions of three people who are experts on effects pedals: Takamatsu Hiroshi (The Novembers/Petit Brabancon), Tachizaki Takahiro (Tokyo Chief of Ikebe Musical Instrument Grandi Bass), and a member of the editorial staff.

■INTERVIEWS
◎Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses)
◎ Margaret Hiroi (88 Temple Pilgrimage)
◎Yousuke Inoue

■BM SELECTED SCORES [Special Edition, Supervised by Ryosuke Nikamoto]
"Lilac" by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
"Kusushiki" Mrs. GREEN APPLE
*The digital version does not include "BM SELECTED SCORES."

■Series ◎ Ueno Koji's Born to Lose? Guest: Hayashi Koji ◎ BMG (Behind the Masterful Groove) ~ Behind the Scenes of a Professional ~ Part 6: Yamamoto Ren ◎ Bass Meals? The Food Habits of a Bassist? / IKKE
◎Bassist's Lifework / Yuichiro Kanda (Tsuru)
◎ Comedian Hiroshi's Lonely Bass Camp

■Serialized Seminar◎Feel Free Jazz Yuki Nagata (JABBERLOOP, POLYPLUS)
◎ Yuichi Gamou's Showa era bass maestro

■MY DEAR BASS
◎Mononeon

■BASSMAN'S LIBRARY
CD/DVD/video reviews, etc.

■NEW PRODUCTS
Introducing new bass-related products