DRUMMER CAFE TV
Written by Bart Elliott

Ben E. King - SupernaturalThe R&B/Soul tune, "Supernatural Thing", by Ben E. King was first released as a single back in 1975 where it reached #1 on the R&B charts. This single version of the tune is typically referred to as "Supernatural Thing - Part 1". The LP version of this song, entitled "Supernatural Thing - Part 2" appears on the Atlantic Records album, Supernatural, King's ninth album (eighth studio album).

Besides the 1975 version, I've also notated the reissue version "Supernatural Thing" as heard on the Teddy Pendergrass & Friends album, Soul Box.

Both grooves have a similar New Jack Swing feel with only slight differences in the HiHat part and backbeat voicings. I've notated the swung sixteenths as dotted rhythms for the ease of reading, however the actual swung feel is closer to a sixteenth-note triplet.

SupernaturalThing

In the original 1975 recording (LISTEN), the backbeat on 2 and 4 is with the Snare drum and a (mounted) Tom Tom. In the 1997 reissue recording (LISTEN), only the Snare plays the backbeat on beat 2 while beat 4 backbeat is with the Snare and a Floor Tom. The open HiHat only appears in the reissue version, while in the original recording the swung sixteenths start up again after the backbeat on 4. Also notice the slight weight emphasis on the upbeats within the HiHat part, especially right after the backbeats.

Whatever version you choose to play (you should actually be working on both), this is a great drum groove and certainly one that should be in every versatile drummer's rhythmic vocabulary.



Bart Elliott Bart Elliott is a degreed professional musician and founder of the Drummer Cafe. His 30+ years in the music industry, over 100 albums to his credit, as well as his understanding of contemporary and classical music, makes him a complete and skilled master musician. A highly sought after drummer and percussionist, both live and in the studio, Bart is widely known as a top music educator and gifted teacher, appearing as a guest artist and clinician throughout the USA. He currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.



 
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