I love the internet “tubes”. These “tubes” sometimes put us in touch with interesting people we otherwise may never meet. Diego Stocco is one of those people for me. Diego is a sound designer, which is an area of music I enjoy exploring. Diego creates sound(s) for many applications including video games, movies, and sample libraries. I stumbled upon his Vimeo profile a while back, and I was fascinated by his work. Check it out when you get a chance. With titles like “Bedside Table Bass” and “Drying Rack”… you are sure to find something out of the ordinary.

I contacted him a few months back, and he recently sent me a link to his latest work. It’s called “Music From Sand”. It’s a short track composed entirely from the sound of sand! Using various sampling techniques, he was able to pull beautiful, rich textures and tones from playing around with sand. The one technique that really grabbed my interest was how he created parts of the rhythm track. By taping DT Series Piezo Film to his fingers, he recorded the sound of his fingers hitting the sand. The sound that he produced is just brilliant. Have a listen and see for yourself:

The older I get, the more I realize that music is freedom. And, this video is a perfect example of just how free it can be.

Grand Pianoramax

It’s has been way too long in between posts, but I am back now and ready to roll. I have been playing gigs, recording, and touring overseas. It has been lovely. But, as before, I always like to return with a little gem of music that has been inspiring me. This is something a little different.

If you haven’t heard of Grand Pianoramax, you may have to clear your head a bit before listening, but it has some of the tastiest playing in a groove, fusion, hip hop sort of way. The album is “The Biggest Piano in Town” and it features Adam Deitch and Deantoni Parks on the kit. I find it really entertaining. The songs are simple in the instrumentation, but sophisticated in melodies and grooves. There’s a bit of rappin’ and storytelling. The playing is spot on, and the recording is one of the most interesting I have heard in a while. Whoever recorded these sessions was masterful in their detail. And, who doesn’t love the sound of a Moog synth?

One person who definately loves that sound is Leo Tardin. He is the mastermind behind Grand Pianoramax, and he really shines on this album. His piano and Moog soar on the entire recording. It was also produced by Michele Locatelli, who has done other work on the Obliqsound label. From start to finish, it is really inspiring music.

John Bonham

This is a drummer’s dream! A web site dedicated to streaming Led Zeppelin’s rough mixes, drum-only takes, rehearsals, and alternate takes. The ability to listen to John Bonham upclose is something a drummer should not take for granted. There is no other drummer that has even come close to his groove and feel. There are some gems for everyone at this site:

John Bonham / Led Zeppelin Sessions

Do yourself a favor and have a listen. The only drawback is that you will need to download the ‘non-standard’ RealOne Player if you don’t have it already. It’s not the most user-friendly music player to use, and the install can be a bit tricky if you don’t follow the instructions.

A very special thanks to Andrew Elledge for the Zep link!

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

Last weekend we went to catch Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at the Prince of Wales here in Melbourne. We had been hearing these rave reviews for about a week before the show, so we were hoping it wouldn’t spoil it if they weren’t as good as everyone was saying they were. Even radio DJs were betting that it was the best show they had seen all year, and you know they must see quite a few.

From the first note this band had the entire audience in the palm of their hands. Every tune they played was as if it came down from somewhere up above and blessed the audience with groove. I have never seen a band switch gears so effortlessly before, and Sharon Jones delivered it all with a smile. She knows. It’s the only way to describe her. She just knows music and life. And what a voice.

The band were first rate, dressed in suits, and played in the pocket all night long. The drummer played kick, snare, hats, and a crash/ride. That’s it! He turned it out though, especially with such a mean left hand. I think every drummer should try that setup sometime, it’s a true test to see how musical you can be. Sounds like it would be easy, but it isn’t.

The band was headed to Europe next. If they come to your city, or you see that name somewhere in your city, go buy tickets. You will witness a true celebration of music, in the form of a nasty, funk & soul review.

Robert Palmer

Forget everything you think of Robert Palmer from the 80′s and 90′s. “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley” is a true 70′s New Orleans-flavored funk masterpiece in every way. Vocal, melodies, music, production… they are all bad to the bone. Not to mention the fact that the band is a mix of The Meters and Little Feat. Zigaboo Modeliste! Every drummer should know that name if they don’t already. He is a drumming pioneer.

Robert Palmer is so smooth as well. It’s probably safe to say that he gives one of the best vocal performances ever recorded. This was when rock stars were actually real stars, the genuine thing. It is pure talent. Purely musical. They aren’t trying to be anything, they’re just playing from the heart. You can actually feel it. Lowell George’s guitar parts on this record go where most musicians can only dream of. Truly. And when you listen with headphones, this record is like an orgasm of instruments and vocals filling your ears.

In The Jungle Groove

It has been a while. I’m finally back to posting again after a long holiday on the north coast of New South Wales. Up and down the East Coast of Australia is just amazing. It’s all beach! Boogie boards, fishing, swimming, walking, lovely!

It’s been a while since I wrote about a great funk CD, so I thought this one would put the grease back in your stride! It’s James Brown’s In the Jungle Groove. This CD was James Brown’s transition from soul to funk, and this record solidified it. I think the album cover says it all. One of the best in my collection.

In the Jungle Groove is a pinnacle album for drummers because it contains two versions of “Funky Drummer”, a song with the baddest beat in the entire world. It’s certainly the most sampled beat ever. Funky Drummer contains the Clyde Stubblefield drum break that has been almost a foundation for hip-hop. It is the supreme drum loop! Full stop. This CD is worthy of a purchase just to learn that lick. And with an all-star cast of players, the entire album is bangin’ and in the pocket from start to finish.

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?

Live and In Living Color

This record was it for me. A turning point. Tower of Power’s Live and In Living Color. After seeing the Funk Filharmonik, I went and picked this up on cassette the very next day. I was on a mission. I had to get some of those grooves in me. This whole snappin’ backbeat with an under current of light, syncopated ghost notes on the snare truly intrigued me. There is no one that does it like David Garibaldi. Some of his rhythms were so inventive, they still sound fresh today. From DJs to hip-hop(Beastie’s Paul’s Boutique), they’ve all grabbbed a Garibaldi groove or two in their day. This live CD is a perfect example of the syncopated funk that Garibaldi is known for.

Headhunters

One of the most influential albums in Herbie Hancock’s career to date is Headhunters. I didn’t find this one until a few years ago. I was into Herbie’s more traditionally oriented jazz records, but this CD is full of deep down, gritty funk. Harvey Mason is masterful on the kit. Great percussion from Bill Summers. Herbie riffs with synths and Fender Rhodes over these fat grooves. A must for any drummer’s collection.

Sly & The Family Stone Fresh

What can I say about Sly & the Family Stone but ‘Fresh’! It’s a funk masterpiece. Though Larry Graham and Greg Errico are not on this one… Andy Newmark is. And, he is masterfully funky. The grooves have a loose, street feel but are pretty sharp in their execution. The opening track, ‘In Time’ is almost impossible to learn because nearly every bar is different from the last. But, somehow the same theme runs through the entire tune. Andy Newmark is a funk master!