OK… back to writing again. Been crazy filling in for the Reverend in the Melbourne funk band Cold Sweat, and then preparing for a UK Waiting Room tour. I haven’t had a chance to add anything to the drummer blog lately. But, I am back in the saddle and I thought this video would be a good one to kick it off again.

This video is one of the most original pieces I have seen, although it reminds me of an old Art of Noise video from the 80’s. The groove is great and the fills are funky. I can’t imagine how long it would have taken to put together. Have a look see…

It’s a video of bassist Alvin Mills and an un-named drummer playing what looks like an old Alesis HR-16. They are doing a burning version of “Actual Proof” from Herbie Hancock’s Thrust record. Pretty cool. I am sure some DJs would love to work with this guy. Judging from his finger chops, he would be able to play some nasty break beats.

Special thanks to my good friend MAZ for the link! Maz also came up with the MySpace goods. The drummer’s name is D. Haynes:

http://www.myspace.com/dhaynesakafingerrs

The Winstons

Here is an interesting mini documentary on the “Amen Break”, which is a drum loop created from a 1968 record by The Winstons called “Amen Brother”.

Amen Break Documentary

The drummer is GC Coleman. You’ll know it when you here it:

The documentary chronicles the history of the “Amen Break” loop. This loop made its way from that copywrited funk record into hip hop songs by Third Base, NWA, and a slew of others. It then leaked into the drum & bass scene in the UK where it was actually copywrited and sold by a UK loop CD company who claim the loop was created especially for them.

Eventually, it was embraced by corporate America to help sell SUVs and blue jeans to suburban America. Interesting take on sampling and copyright laws. Where’s the RIAA when you actually need them?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1887293651082720270

John Starks & Clyde Stubblefield

Want to learn funk licks from the masters? This is the DVD. Clyde Stubblefield and John “Jab’o” Starks… period! That’s all you need to say. Clyde and Jab’o take you through the funkiest of James Brown’s most sampled grooves… “Funky Drummer”, “I Got the Feelin’”, “Mother Popcorn” and the list goes on. There are also live performances with Fred Wesley, Fred Thomas, John Scofield, and John Medeski. Just being able to learn the “Funky Drummer” groove from the masters is enough reason to pick up this DVD.

Steve Jordan

One of the most inspirational DVDs I have come across is definately Steve Jordan’s ‘The Groove is Here’. Set in New York City, it documents Steve’s thoughts on groove, timing, and playing music. There are excellent in-studio performances with Danny Kortchmar and Bernie Worrell, plus interviews with Steve and friends he has worked with. Levon Helm(The Band) is a highlight! As is the realization of the length of a quarter note… invaluable. This is not a “let me show you how to play a million notes in one measure” DVD, it is about being a musician first, and a grooving drummer second.