Archive for August, 2009
You didn't think I was going to do it, did you? A new loop pack, already? I know I haven't been the most active blogger this month, with the big move and everything, but that doesn't mean I wasn't working feverishly behind the scenes in preparation for the release of Volume IV.
Like all Gruss Loop packs, Volume IV spans a wide range of tempos and styles. Everything from straight ahead jazz waltzes to crunchy folk beats to mastabatory fusion. It's the drum equivalent of an all-you-can-ea...
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Here's some great footage of one of my favorite trios, John Scofield, Steve Swallow and Bill Stewart, getting things done at the Blue Note in NYC. Check the drum solo starting at 1:18. This is a great example of soloing melodically over a ride ostinato....
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Loop #91
I just realized that all of the straight ahead jazz loops that I've posted have been in 4/4. Sure, I've done some 6/8 Bembe variations, but those were more in the Afro Cuban realm. Today's loop is an outtake from a full session of 3/4 grooves I just recorded for Volume IV.
If you're looking for some extra waltz-based inspiration, just take a look at this list of contemporary compositions. I'm going to sleep a lot better tonight knowing that Joe Satriani's "Always With Me, Alw...
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Well, I'm happy to say that the move to the new house is complete. Of course, it took place over the hottest, most humid, weekend of the year, but all in all, it's been a smooth transition. I just powered up the studio and I'm hard at work on mixing and editing loops for the much talked about, eagerly awaited release of Gruss Loops Vol IV. Look for a sneak peak tonight. In the meantime, I have some hedges to trim and some walls to paint. Rockin' the suburbs....
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Please pardon the lack of loops and posts this week. As you might know, I'm in the process of moving into a new house (and studio) and everything is in a state of disarray. After this weekend, I should be plugged back in and recording some kickass flamadiddles. Until then, enjoy this live performance of "The Rat" by The Walkmen. I've always loved the vibe of this track. Spastic, 16th notes done right. Almost makes me want to strip naked on a discount airline and punch a stranger in the fac...
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After a long, stressful day, some people tend to wind down with a few drinks. Others find solace in working out or smoking crack. And me? Well, I find that nothing helps me kick back and relax like turning on the dry ice machine, inverting a few splash cymbals and playing some overindulgent fusion. There's really nothing like the sound of 32nd notes on the hi hats to take the edge off.
Loop #90
Today's loop is a two bar snippet of the hour long fusion session that was unfortunately...
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Why is he climbing a mountain?
Brought to you by my dear friends and former bandmates - www.fallonyoursword.com...
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Loop #89
I'm not done with the cowbell grooves. Like I mentioned before, I think it's time to bring one of my favorite percussive accessories back into the limelight. Rather than go the straight quarter note, "Don't Fear the Reaper" route, I've went ahead and approached it from a polyrhythmic angle. In this case, a 3 against 4 phrasing over the course of a four bar groove (not to be confused with a hemiola).
To make such an academic rhythm accessible to the masses, I overdubbed ...
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"World's Fastest Drummer", Mike Mangini, goes under the microscope (or high speed camera) of The Discovery Channel's "Time Warp". I'm not sure about that "biff" move, but it's pretty cool to see what a snare head looks like after you hit it in extreme HD slow motion.
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Before "Lust for Life" was pimped out as the jingle for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (as well as being covered by Mötley Crüe, Tom Jones and, I shit you not, Bruce Willis), it was one of the classic punk/pop anthems to emerge from the late 1970's. With thunderous, hypnotic drums and two guitars doubling the bass line, it's one of those tracks that barrels forward like a locomotive controlled by Billy Mays (if train engineers weren't required to take drug tests).
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