Drummer Cafe Community Forum

As we approach the end of the year, let me throw this out:

What's the best stuff you've heard this year? Doesn't have to be something that happened this year - just something that you were exposed to for the first time this year. In other words, as NBC says, it's new to you!

I'll go with John Scofield's CD, Ãœberjam (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005RTDC/).

This CD introduced me to the drumming of Adam Deitch (http://www.adamdeitch.com/), who I think is doing the coolest job of blending old funk and new drum-n-bass styles into a truly unique drumming voice, all while grooving his butt off.

Ãœberjam actually came out in early 2002, but I didn't hear it until this year. To me it's a real standout from a drumming perspective. There are plenty of good drummers out there, but this CD really caught my ear, with Adam playing some stuff that I have not heard before, something that's becoming increasingly rare.

Honorable mention goes to Jon Theodore for his work on Mars Volta's De-Loused in the Comatorium (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/B00009V7T2/). Great drumming and interesting compositions, although the music is not stuff I feel compelled to listen to frequently.

Okay, now let's hear from YOU!  8)

Good thread.

I'll go with two that I find hard to choose between.

First off, Brain by Hiromi (http://www.hiromimusic.com/recordings-Brain.htm). Released in May, with Martin Valihora on drums, I was first captivated by this video (http://www.hiromimusic.com/videos.htm) and just had to get the CD - as would anyone who liked Chick Corea as much as I do. Wonderful, slightly quirky stuff, and a great performance from all concerned.

Second, Come on In (http://www.vitalinformation.com/vital/come_on_in.html) from Steve Smith and Vital Information (http://www.vitalinformation.com/). I was obviously aware of the music, especially with their "set" on the History of the US Beat DVD, but hadn't bothered to hunt down any recordings. Silly me. When I caught them at Ronnies, I sprung for a copy of the CD on the spot (signed, natch) and it didn't leave the changer in the car for two months. Simply stunning. Steve's command of the instrument and deep knowledge of the genres and the grooves is evident in every track.

I'll award a booby prize too, for the biggest disappointment this year. This comes in the form on To The Stars (http://www.tothestars.com/themusic.htm), from the reformed Mark 1 Chick Corea Elektric Band (http://www.chickcorea.com/to_the_stars_the_music2.html). This should have been in the highlight category, but I'm afraid the description that comes to mind when I listen to it is "noodling." Closely followed by "what a waste." Possibly the greatest collection of stellar class fusion musicians (and heros of mine) all in one room, and this is the output. Fabulously complex, fabulously played, noodling. Of course, it doesn't help that the subject matter is a badly written piece of tosh from a snake oil merchant, but there you go. I can't remember a single tune off the entire CD.

great thread idea.

I'll second on "De-Loused...". That is a great album with some increadable drumming.

Badly Drawn Boy's latest album "One plus One is One" is one of my favorites.  There is some really creative sounds and drumming on this album. Its nothing spectacular, but good nonetheless.

Death Cab for Cutie's "Transatlanticism" is another one that I cant'; get enough of. Great indie rock sounds and I really dig their drummer's style.

Bjork's "Medulla".  It was her ALL-VOCAL concept album.  Just brilliant ideas, sounds, etc... used to create that signatre Bjork sound, but is just mindblowing in how she concieved each sound to work with one another.

Lastly, but not least is the first release from The Postal Service.  Think back to sounds of Erasure and Thomas Dolby mixed with a moden indie pop vibe.  I didn't know what to this when I first heard this album, but the more I listend to its eletronic samples and synth instrumentation I loved it.  

More of a REnewal. . . I renewed my interest in Elvin after his passing.  

And I echo moosetication's comments on Steve Smith's Vital Information CD.

I don't know if these are available nationally, but, here in New Orleans, there have been some seriously good funky records that I've picked up (you can get them at the Louisiana Music Factory online).

John "Papa" Gros - Day's End
Papa Grows Funk - Shakin'

Both of these CD's are headed by John "Papa" Gros, who plays a nasty Hammond B-3, nice and beefy.  Backed up by some seriously funky folks, these are both keepers.

Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen - Pin Your Spin

I saw this band this spring at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.  They were playing some seriously nasty, funky, make you move whether you want to or not, kind of stuff.  He would introduce a song and I would detect an "English" accent.  Well, that's because he's from England, but is now a dyed-in-the-wool New Orleans Funkmaster.  Good stuff.  (BTW, later that afternoon I caught Bonnie Raitt and noticed that her keyboard player was.... Jon Cleary!)

Galactic - Crazyhorse Mongoose
Stanton Moore on drums driving a groove so deep, if you fell in, you wouldn't see sunlight!  

I found Zakk Wylde's Pride & Glory record this year, and it revitalized my views on rock'n'roll. Just flat out great riffs, very solid, groovy drums, raw natural powerful sounds, and Zakk's novice voice (at the time).

That record is over 8 years old too. So it's freaky to find it now.

I can think of oneAnd its from your very own web site Mr.A.It is under the drum lick from hell portion. its Bill Stewerts (Dewey said). I really look forward to checking out that whole cd.

Theres some pretty cool tunes on the Mondern Drummer web site Radio Station! I like to use it in the backround while on this site!

  I would also have to suggest Mars Volta. They are smokin!

I will vote for Mars Volta as well, with Jon Theodore taking from lots of different style influences in his playing.

Some others:

Interpol's new one is quite good as well, Antics; although I'd say their first one may have been better.

Kasabian's self-titled debut

Hope of the States - The Lost Riots

The Futureheads - Self Titled

Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender -->very weird, but cool; most songs are just her singing while playing harp, but my band has been working on covering one of the songs, "Sprout and the Bean," transcribing into a rock tune while keeping the well-written lyrics and overall cool sound.

Scissor Sisters - Self Titled --> another fairly weird one with more dance tunes, which I generally don't listen to all that often, but these guys are cool; the song "Return to Oz" stands out, possibly a sign of good things to come.

I'm always on the lookout for best newcomers of any given year. And by that I mean BANDS. Real bands that play real instruments making a real contributions.

2 fave newcomers for me this year were:

Maroon 5, they span from really rockin, to really soulful and funky (kind of like that Jamiroqui (sp)) to really poppy

and

Los Lonely Boys, guitarist thats a cross between SRV and Santana, great singers too.

And I'd like to say a big thanks to services like Windows Media Radio services and Time Warner digital cable for offering the genre of Adult Alternative music which is how I found these bands. Cause I sure wouldn't here them on my local radio or MTV.

Yeah.. I'll second that.  Regardless of their position in the mainstream pop, they are a REAL band that makes music with some pretty good hooks (a la Stevie Wonder).

i picked up hilary jones's first solo CD entitled Soaring. much of it is blues/funk-based rock. the title track is more of a rock-jazz-fusion thing that really showcases her drumming. great song, excellent playing. another track, Midget Match is also really good. lots of cool syncopated grooves. her dw's sound really killer on this album. she also covers The Pretenders's Talk of the Town, and does the singing. She sounds like a slightly more feminine version of Chrissie Hynde and really has a pretty voice.  

i rediscovered Paul Simon's Rhythm of the Saints cd, too. i saw that show live in Central Park, and it brought back some great memories. lots of great music on this.

and for some reason, i listened to a lot of elton john [pre- "Rock of the Westies"]. i was a huge ej fan when i was young. his early stuff is stellar, imho.

i spent most of '04 learning new band tunes vs. listening to other music. but i'm looking forward to many music splurges in '05!

There have been some releases this year that have really made me sit up and get interested in music again.

Snow Patrol: The final Straw.
Great tunes, excellent production and haunting vocals.

Keane: Hopes and fears.
Excellent album with immense potential.

Maroon 5: Songs about Jane.
A real funky band. Great album and great production.

U2: How to dismantle an atomic bomb.
I'm not a huge U2 fan but this album contains the perfect single Vertigo so I have to love it.

Embrace: Out of nothing.
There is a track on here that I can't get out of my head entitled Gravity. Beautiful Coldplay type music.

Maroon 5 and Gavin DeGraw.  

They're both kind of in the same vein, although I think Maroon 5 is more funky and Gavin DeGraw is more old-school pop-ish.  

Both seem heavily influenced by Stevie Wonder (a personal favorite) and seem truly talented.  

Best music I've heard........ *!*!*ATOMSHIP*!*!* They have the best drummer I've ever heard.... Chad Kent!

Shawn Colvin: A Few Small Repairs, Shawn Pelton on drums.

Steely Dan: Katy Lied, Jeff Porcaro on drums.

Stevie Wonder: Talking Book, I think Stevie Plays on that one.

Stevie Ray Vaughn: Some greatest hits album, Chris Layton

Miles Davis: Milestones, Joe Jones drums for that album.

Those are Definitely the best albums I've listened to this year.  

Maroon 5.

I just came from my 5 yr old son's Christmas performance, where I got to see him (and one other kid from the class) play a set of Orff bells.  That is the best - and coolest - thing I've seen and heard this year.  

[beaming daddy]

 ;D

[/beaming daddy]

I have to lead off with a recommendation from this site - Herbie Hancock's Flood ... I remember seeing them back at that time, but I don't remember much of the concert (if ya know what I mean).  Of course, I'm a fan of Mike Clark, but that group was TIGHT.

Classic Meets Cuba - the Klazz Brothers.  Classical compositions with Cuban percussion.  Beautiful!

Actually, the video Band of Gypsies Live at the Fillmore East gave me a new appreciation for the CD.  "Machine Gun" with the background video takes on a whole new meaning - very powerful.

I've been listening to all of the Bill Laswell recordings I can get my  hands on, and also picking up work from artists who collaborate with him - Pete Namlook, Tetsu Inoue, Pharoah Sanders, Jonah Sharp, Karsh Kale, Trilok Gurtu, and more.

I checked out this amazingly talented singer, Ashlee Simpson.... just kidding.  :)

But seriously folks.  I stumbled onto Tenacious D early this year.  Dave Grohl's drumming on that disc is very good.

I was also turned onto Spider Harrison, he and his group were around in the 70's, Check out "Beautiful Day" if you get a chance, in my opinion, one of the best laid back funky grooves ever.

A friend gave me a copy of an LP called Nigeria '70.  There is a group on there called Bongos Ikwe and the have a tune calle "Woman Made the Devil", such a soulful tune.

The Music - Welcome to the North: fully modern version of big stadium rock.  Some heavy riffs, some danceable beats, some mellower poppy ballads.   The singer sounds like Geddy Lee (Rush) more than a little but its forgivable.  The opening (and title) track on this album is one of the most infectious tunes I've heard in a long time.

Elbow - Cast of Thousands: artfull, low key pop.   Definitely their own creature.  More suitable for cafes than stadiums.   With a melancholy, but not too downer bent.   And one of the few cds I can play over and over again without skipping any songs.  

Daniel Lanois – Shine Of course, I knew Daniel Lanois from his work with U2, but I fell in love with his CD Shine. This album is so relaxing, rich and authentic. I also find his voice so smooth and beautiful. The drumming is also interesting and has a jazzy feel to it. I then went out and bought his previous CDs (For the Beauty Of Wynona and Acadie).

John Frusciante – Shadows Collide With People This Cd from the guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers is his fourth to be released this year!!! There's a 5th one that just came out a week (or two) ago. This is not a "drum" album (even though Chad Smith played on it), but a simple and spontaneous effort full of great songs. I love his voice and the way he sings... right from the heart.

The Black Crowes – By Your Side Wow! This CD grooves!!! I knew the band (Hard To Handle, Remedy, etc.), but I'm hooked on this album which sounds great and has great rock songs (no fillers here).

loving ISOR's "post modern peep show", featuring drumming from our very own nick. www.isor.net

Although this was released in 2003, I heard it for the first time this fall:

Garage a' Trois Emphasizer - Stanton Moore, Charlie Hunter, Mike Dillon, and Skerik.  Funk and Jazz with an attitude.  My ideal side project.  If I could find people to work with who dug this material, I'd be in heaven.   ;D

Kasabian - Kasabian -- This is a really great record, with processed sounding drums playing behind rockin tunes.

The Music - Welcome to the North -- I really enjoyed their last album and this was more of the same but better (and I'm seeing them on Tuesday :))

Snow Patrol - Final Straw -- Its an album that can be played over and over without me getting bored.

YESS I love that album, I always feel compelled to listen to it.  Jon definately did do a great job on that album. I cant wait till The mars volta's next album comes out early next year!

Yeah Yeah Yeah's - Fever to Tell
Mastodon - Levaithan (not as in your face as previous releases, but tight agressive drumming that rules)
Eagles of Death Metal - Peace, Love, and Death Metal (anything but death metal, queens of the stone age singer/guitarist on drums playing simple, rockin, old style drumming)
Bionic - Deliverance (Canidian band that rocks very well)

Not so much a release as much as the band itself:

Umphrey's McGee  

I've read a lot of buzz about this band and got intrigued when one writer described the band as: "Part metal, part jamband, with a mix of Rush, Zappa, Dizzy and more".  These guys are sick players who tear it up live.  I have a copy of a show from earlier this month that is simply mind boggling.  They did 2 covers, ZZ Top and Metallica and their original stuff is just awesome.  Definitely a band to look out for.

Maroon 5 (as many others have mentioned) and Diego Torres MTV Unpluged (BMG) - excellent percussion duo and the children batucada was beautiful.

Hav'ent had a chance to listen to much new stuff this year, but here's the best of what I HAVE heard.

Maroon 5 - as someone already mentioned, great groove and catchy tunes.

Anastacia - always liked here pretty unique voice and her last album was fantastic.

Phil Collins - bought his last album Testify last year, always liked his stuff, a little bland but hey!
Plus he's a drummer, so he's good people!

Best thing I heard was the Warren Zevon tribute album. Heh, does that count?

I just recently bought the new Yoko Ono CD....
I started to listen to it, and it wasnt bad, then my head exploded.

(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000268QB2.01._PE29_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)

Keane - Hopes & Fears

sure, its Coldplay-lite, but its better than the stuff we call "emo" over here.

(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0001XARU4.01._PE8_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)

the Streets - a Grand Dont Come for Free

england's more educated, not quite as scathing, yet no less dramatic answer to Em.

(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0001L3LHC.01._PE14_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)

Jolie Holland - Escondida

go this one from a "best of" list from NPR, and dangnabbit, the most gorgeous voice i've heard all year.  literate lyrics, and hey, she can play a mean ukelule, too!  also, check out "Mad Tom of Bedlam", where the song vamps with just her luscious voice and a very nicely played brush part by drummer, Dave Mihaly.

Joker, can you comment more in depth about The Streets' record? I'm only familiar with their single, which I think was great.

allmusic.com is your friend. (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE47E1AD84AAF7620CE9D3441DBBE78FC10FE5AFB86112F0456D3B82D42820673F356FE8781B0F86AB67FB0FD2EA45E43D1C0EC55F6D8652D5DF0&sql=11:br6ompsj9f6o)  8)

but if anything, he's pretty much the ol' rapper / producer in the likes of a kanye west, with the attitude of Em.  but unlike Em, he's not out to prove himself to no one.  rather just makes songs, records that amuse only himself.  we just happen to be listening.

I've listened to these the most in 2004.  

- "Where Do We Go from Here"  - Pillar
Man, I love the tunes and the drumming on this CD especially the instrumental track.

- "Songs About Jane" - Maroon 5
Ditto what everyone says - just funky, catch tunes.  

- "Seasons" - Sevendust
I just love Morgan Rose's approach to all of the tunes on the disc.  I highly recommend this CD - great singing, great tunes.  

dc

This is really hard to answer, as a year ago I didn't really listen to much music, so pretty much all music I liesten to I discovered in the last year. And so much of it is really great.

In light of this, I'm going to say: Led Zeppelin. Even though they split up 25 years ago (that's a quarter of a century!) and you guys have probably been listening to them since they started, I only started listening to them a few months ago, and am completely in awe of what they did. How on earth did I live this long without knowing about them?

Not too many new bands for me, but this year I got introduced to some musicians via Peter Gabriels's "Growing Up Live" DVD, including:

The Blind Boys of Alabama

Richard Evans - he played guitars, whistle, and other instruments on the Gabriel disc.  He just strikes me as one of those musicians who "gets it," and I'm hoping to check out some other work he has done.

What have marked me this year is a swedish band called Opeth. They are mainly in Death or Black Metal, but the album I would remember is their last album Damnation.

(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008OLYN.01._PE22_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)

Martin Lopez on drums.

(http://deimos.curious.be/~Scarve/images/audio/irradiant.jpg)   Scarve - Irradiant

My buddy jon had told me about this band. I can honestly say I listen to it at least 2 times a week. GREAT drumming by Dirk VERBEUREN. He also recorded on Soilwork's new album, which I have yet to hear.

(http://www.mnemic.dk/2004/images/001album.jpg)  Mnemic - Mechanical Spin Phenomena

Also another great standout in my mind. Great odd time signatures pack with explosives. Check them out as well.

I need to add to my list Los Lonoly Boys. Heard the record last night and my jaw droped straight to the floor. Those guys play with the same spirit as the original Santana band did. A most for all the old Santana material fan (like me).

Chimaira
Lamb of God
Interpol
Killswitch Engage

Pretty much all the albums released on the Marsalis music label this year are killing, particularly Branford's ballads album "Eternal."

the bad plus. 8)

Wow!  :o

Those guys are good.  Thanks for that LuvmyLeedy!

How did you come across this band?

Underoath-paticularly on thier cd  The Chaning of Times -this hardcore band is fricken sweet Awesome drummer very good with the double kick,Thier Keybordist is amazing too!!!

Mewithoutyou- This band has a  very unique sound. I guess you could say they are indie and a bit of grunge. Great solid drummer and catchy riffs on the guitar. The Vocals take a bit of getting used to for most people but I love it.  

Love Drug-Just plane and simple great music!

Acrolite I totoally agree about the Mars Volta also! great drumming and great music!

Mr. A...totally agree with you on Adam D with John Scofield, saw them in CT a few years ago for the Uberjam tour, killer stuff, really impressed me...almost to the point of not wanting to drum he was so impressive.  a force and a true natural, wide variety of rhythmic approaches and true jazz and funk foundations....

if you like Adam D....i also recommend:

Terence Blanchard 'BOUNCE' cd - the drummer is eric harland, very bad mofo, check the go-go reversion take of the classic jazz track Footsteps...

any Christian McBride CD with Terreon Gully, got some great press in a recent issue of MD. Feb 2005.  i have a live cd, "bootleg" where they tackle Steely Dan's AJA and Stings Walking on the moon and just alter your initial idea of both tunes completely. impressive.

Quincy Davis...the young force behind the jazz trumpet master, perhaps the best living trumpet man, Tom Harrell, check the great cd WISE CHILDREN, massive chops, saw him live at the Vanguard, laid it down on his little Nodar Rode Bop kit....floored me.  check my review of the CD on amazon...under littmattedread

Will Calhouns LIVE AT THE BLUENOTE  cd....killer stuff.  famous for the LIVING COLOUR stuff, was very pleased to see he is also quite the jazz drummer and this cd has some exceptional tracks....the LIVING COLOUR cd COLLIDEOSCOPE is also worth a listen.

Steel Pulse, UKs finest reggae band reclaim the top trophy with AFRICAN HOLOCAUST, the drummer from the Ivory Coast Reggae band Alpha Blondy and the Solar System, Stephan 'C-sharpe' Clarke lays down some killer riddims, great original reggae, some say the artform peaked in the late 70's, this CD and the below MIR proves them wrong.

Misty In Roots  cd  ROOTS CONTROLLER - 6 tracks of old tunes, 6 tracks of new tunes. classic sparse roots reggae with conscious lyrics, regal horns and rock solid feel it in the chest basslines....Julian Peters and J Brown on drums.  

anybody else listening to reggae out there ??

the release of Zeppelins How the West was Won...the la 72 shows...wow, great sound and the part, 15:30 into Dazed and Confused where they ripped into 3 minutes of THE CRUNGE....funkiest white boys ever, all you need right there !!!

Maroon 5, yeah what everyone said, catchy tunes, neat soft funk / pop / neo soul from some white bwais, good for them, eh ! interestingly new approach, saw them do 2 tunes on SNL and was impressed.

that is it for now......