testimonials
What the industry had to say about my albums FAMILIA & open window
"Simon Goulding's new album "Familia" deserves more than a cursory listen. There are layers here. First time through you might think the common thread is Goulding's exquisite musicianship and ear for rhythm (he composed all the tunes). It's really a tour through the world of his emotions, and it's only through time spent that you can get inside the thread. Perhaps this bears mentioning because the title cut is as engaging as one could imagine. You won't sit still. When you get to cut #4, though, you hear this pensive, not quite moody side, given to reflection shaded with a sense of wonder. When Miles Davis said, "Space," Simon Goulding was obviously listening. It's in the rhythm where he's most at home, though, as you'll hear in Parque Central (just as an example). For this bass player, composer, arranger and sought-after sideman, Goulding is showing us that he has an acute sense of the whole, his imagined end result, and an artistic sensibility that guides him there inexorably."
Lee Barker. Barker Musical Instruments. Redmond, Oregon USA.
"Familia is an eclectic journey, from the very Latin to the very funky and everything in between, telling stories with different flavors textures and colors. Get on board and let Simon be your tour guide".
SAUL ZAVARCE PRODUCER & PRESENTER 'FIESTA JAZZ' 106.7 PBS FM MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.
"Serious bass playing, Very Funky & Melodic. Tell this guy to stay out of town".
NATHAN EAST. LEGENDARY SESSION GREAT.
"As unsung UK bass players go, they don't get much more talented than Lancashire born Simon Goulding. A solid sideman for the likes of the Bee Gees, Engelbert Humperdinck, Joe Longthorne and Rick Astley, he reveals his top notch jazz skills on his debut solo album, Familia. And it's a set bursting with sophisticated Chick Corea Elektric Band style jazz fusion with a strong undercurrent of Cuban and latin grooves, combined with some dazzling bass playing. A serious 6 string bassist, Gouldings sound is very much that of John Patitucci, with a singing solo style combined with a fizzing slap technique. Writing and programming all the tunes on the album, he also demonstrates his ability to create interlocking polyrhythms, counterpoint bass parts and shifting harmonic layers. It's this that shows the real depths of his musicianship. Even when things edge a little too close to smooth jazz on 'Galeria', Gouldings inventive ideas still make for diverting listening. Joined by trumpeter Adam Linsley, Tenorist Mat Sibley, guitarists Alan Wormald & Nik Harrison and percussionist Andy Blakeley, this is more than a one-man-show though when he does decide to cover all the bases himself, like on the cheeky funk workout 'Bass Face', he once again shows his full command of both bass and musical surroundings. Familia is an ambitious project which more than matches up to albums by many household name bassists, to which that of Simon Goulding should be added".
BASS GUITAR MAGAZINE. UK. SEPTEMBER 2010.
"Hugely versatile bass ace. Originally from the Lancashire village of Coppull, Simon started playing at the age of 9 and studied at Wigan & Leigh college and Middlesex University. An established session player, he has performed with such artists as The Bee Gees, Engelbert Humperdinck, David Essex, PP Arnold and Sheila Ferguson. A published music educator who has held improvisation workshops at the university of York and Middlesborough College, he can now add this instrumental album to his extensive career credits. Simon shows even greater prowess (programming, keyboards, percussion) on this Cuban influenced set, ably supported by Adam Linsley (trumpet) and Mat Sibley (sax), his playing is precise, mature and mightily impressive across its 12 cuts of slick jazz, funk and latino-rock".
MUSICIAN MAGAZINE. UK. SEPTEMBER 2010.
“Simon Goulding 'Familia'. Great Grooves, Great Musicians, Great Musicianship. Play it LOUD.”
Legendary Soul/Funk Saxophonist Snake Davis.
“Simon, I Listened to the album. Some great playing! What's the opposite of "Fingers and Thumbs"? Well those guys are doing a great job. Keep up the good work. ”
Bill Sharpe. Pianist & Founding member of Shakatak.
"Your bass playing is incredibly smooth yet kicking...it's recorded and mixed impeccably. Smooth transient everything and everyone sounds just great. Be happy with that one my friend. Congratulations, I really enjoy it"!
Larry Hartke. Hartke Amplification USA.
Aus dem britischen Lancashire stammt der Sessionbassist Simon Goulding, der uns mit seinem brand- neuen Studioalbum mit der Bitte um Vorstellung bemustert hat. Beim Hören der 12 Titel drängt sich mir un- weigerlich die Frage auf, ob Goulding Los Angeles mit Lancashire verwech- selt hat. Denn die smoothen Fusion- Tracks reihen sich nahtlos in die bekannte, seichte Fusion-Ecke ein, für die die Stadt der Engel seit den 80er Jahren bekannt ist. Trotzdem: Goulding ist ein klasse Bassist, der seine knochentrockenen Sounds aus Yamaha- und Music Man-Bässen und Verstärkern von Hartke herauskitzelt.
Bass Professor Magazine. Germany.
Simon Goulding is an interesting case, he is a talented bassist/composer from England but his music contains a big dose of latin influence, even some of the tracks on the album has spanish titles, "Familia", "Galeria", Calle Obispo", Parque Central" and "Mirando al Futuro". Goulding unique sound also includes a mix of smooth jazz, funk and even some techno on "Bass Face" and Looking Over". Goulding brings intensity in both emotion and technique all throughout the album. Max Sibley add melodic solos on the tenor sax and Adam Linsley plays the trumpet on some tracks including the funk/jazz "Galeria". There are some similarities to smooth jazz groups like Fourplay on the tracks "Calle Obispo", "Beach House" and the funk ballad "Love like ours". The latin influence is more noticeable on the tracks "Familia", "Parque Central" and "Mirando al Futuro". Andy Blakely plays a good timbales solo on "Hurricane Season".
JazzTimes Magazine. USA.
Bassist/producer/keyboardist/producer/percussionist Simon Goulding delivers an incredible debut release in his 2010 bad-boy Latin music drenched Familia. Simon is, as absolutely always (and without fail), at the top of his game, and listening to his deep, sexy (Yamaha TRB 5 and 6-string / Music Man fretless5) tone is always a beautiful thing. His composition “Galeria” is the go-getter on this release that features several movements within the context of the piece – including a mad thumb-style delivery over a flawless melody. Simon’s amazing soloing sets nicely in the presentation and the production is first-rate!. Simon Goulding’s 2nd release Open Window is another set of compositions with a deep Latin / Smooth Jazz feel that features impeccable playing and tone! An avid jazz radio listener might recognize the brilliantly penned “The Time And The Place” from this release. But, my favorite track is the buoyant and sly “Amanecer” that rides in as the 7th tune on this release. This guy is an amazing player in any music genre, and he has become a major influence in the way I hear soloing over changes in the past few years! Also, this guy treats a montuno like no other non-Latino I’ve ever heard! Thank you!! It is also wonderful to hear an able bassist who writes great music. Hardly enough can be said of this wonderfully gifted bassist and my brother “from across the pond”! Simon Goulding is, in a word, amazing! No wonder the likes of Eric Marienthal, Clare Teal, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, The Kings of Swing Orchestra, David Essex, Dave Evans, Bee gee’s, Robbie Williams, The Supremes, The Miracles, Neil Sedaka, and many, many others have elicited the “must have great bass” from Simon!
Bass Musician Magazine. 2015. CANADA.
“Simon’s abilities as both world-class bass player and top-rate musi- cian are clearly evident to all that have had the pleasure to see and hear him play. Looking through his new book, Bass Workshop, I can safely say that he can add the skills of effortless communicator and natural educator to his impressive CV. This book guides the serious student through a range of effective exercises, etudes and pieces that are both fluent and cohesive, with a clear sense of progression guided along the way with appropriate words of wisdom. This all adds up to a significant body of study that has true musical relevance and is inspirational and self-rewarding”....
John Wheatcroft (leading jazz/ fusion recording artist & educator. Head of guitar at Tech school of music. London UK).
"Simon is a brilliant musician, an inspired and exciting bass player. Many many hours of thought and hard work have gone into the production of his new book. Well thought out, well laid out, clear and thorough, I highly recommend it, not only to bass players but to all musicians seeking to increase their skills and knowledge"....
Snake Davis (leading solo & session saxophonist for M People, The Eurythmics, Paul McCartney, James Brown, Lisa Stansfield, Take That and hundreds more).