DRUMMER CAFE

Cool intro on that tune...love that flurry of 32nd notes around the toms at the end of the instrumental intro....

Personally, I wouldn't attach anything in the tune to a particular latin style.   It seems to me to be typical of Carter's style -fusing funk with many diverse influences -latin feels abundant but never too obvious in a purist sense.  I remember hearing the drum part as a laid back percussive rock style more than anything.  I'll have to give it a spin and see if I remember correctly.

I think Carter is busy and knowledgable...so I don't feel his stuff is all that easily copped.   Check out linear funk studies in odd time signatures to get closer to a couple main elements of Carter's style.    

There's a free video resource you should check out....there's a study on Carter included somewhere there and it's extremely helpful....go to www.digevent.com   -go to the drop down menu in the middle and click the 'drum beat' tab.

ah thank you both. im definately going to study those drummer you mentioned. i didnt want it to come across as disrespect to carter or singing my own praises, so please dont think that (not saying you did but just in case). but i guess i meant that i was able to get the main groove down easliy (boom t-t-ta ta boom ta b-b-boom pa) and just did my own fills and things. i dont really want to copy carter but its very cool to get concepts and ideas.

For sure Dave!     The great thing about Carter is that his playing typically CAN be understood!   That makes him a great resource for many of us.   You can start with his fundamental approach and build on it with your own style----or add his nuances and subtleties as you learn them.  

I have a fiddle/violinist player in my band and we have a blast playing Ant's Marching now and then...I don't think I've ever played it note for note...but it's ok to just have fun with it, too.

Some big-time drummers simply have their style and it's not always so easily transcribed or copped....or even understand in some cases.  Carter, though, is a very methodical drummer and although quite technical in his approach to pop music, he still CAN be understood.    Weckl stuff (older stuff in particular) was like this as well.   For different reasons, I like both these guys a lot...so no 'slighting' of their styles  intended whatsoever.