TD20 Patterns > Funk Bands

[Charly]

Hey all,


I've been finding myself reverting back to the more funky patterns on the td20 for a bit of a break from the normal.

39 Funky Alley
41 Brown Funk
42 Thick Funk
45 Shuffle Groove

(I think these are the ones, currently sitting at work so not 100% sure).

Anyway, my knowledge of bands isn't that hot. I was just wondering what favourite Funk bands people have.

It's Friday and I am planning a marathon drum session this weekend. Might be nice to hunt out a few youtube band videos for inspiration.

Charly

[ige87]

Billy Cobham, Tower of Power, James Brown, Soulive, Spyro Gyra, erm, the list is endless. Why not go to Last.FM, set the genre to funk and see what you get?

[Michael Render]

Tower of Power and Parliment/Funkadelic for me.

[Frank]

Definitely concur with James Brown and Tower of Power. Though they are all from the past, I would add Sly & the Family Stone, Earth, Wind & Fire, and AWB to the list. And who could forget Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band.

[Charly]

Guys, that is great - thanks.

Going to fire up youtube and knock myself out.

[Charly]

Billy Cobham, Tower of Power, James Brown, Soulive, Spyro Gyra, erm, the list is endless. Why not go to Last.FM, set the genre to funk and see what you get?

That IS a good idea. Thanks

[ige87]

Thats ok, I pretty much just discovered it myself. And I'd like to add Kool and the Gang, Incognito, James Taylor Quartet, Jamiroquai, Average White Band, Wild Cherry, Booker T and the MGs, and the Brand New Heavies to the list. That is, until I remember some more. Oh, and some Santana stuff too.

[tablatom]

Check out Herbie Hancock's Album MAN CHILD.

IMHO the first track HANG UP YOUR HANG UPS is the most coolest, FUNKiest, track ever written.

http://www.apple.com/search/ipoditunes/?q=hang+up+your+hang+ups

Here is a live version, which is great but the studio version is just sooooo amazing, it must be heard loud, 11 if your system has it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjXmbSBTD4&feature=related

And as a tasty bonus check this out.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/vinnicolaiutahancock3.html

The last half of this vid is seriously FUNKY

OM OM tOM

[Hercules]

Hi Charly,

Have a listen to "Cosmic Strut" on Mahavishnu's "Visions of the Emerald Beyond" album too. Michael Walden provides a battery of drumming on this album - quite entertaining.

[tablatom]

Hi Charly,

Have a listen to "Cosmic Strut" on Mahavishnu's "Visions of the Emerald Beyond" album too. Michael Walden provides a battery of drumming on this album - quite entertaining.

I love Michaels drumming on this album, and i really love the sound of his bass drum and snare, so full on, and " a Battery" is a very good description of his drumming here, such an underrated drummer.

[Hercules]

Hey Tablatom,

I fully agree - I really like the way Mr Walden plays double stroke "rolls" between snare and kick on that album.

Nice to talk to someone with similar taste.

[Charly]

Update !!!!

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.

There's been a recent development thought - an RnB / Hip Hop nightclub here in town is looking for a band.

Hangzhou's only got a few 1000 Westerners so the musician community is fairly small. I was contacted as were a few other people who all recommended eachother!

Sunday night we had our 'audition'. I turned up late which was not a good start - setup in the dark (the club was already open) and only got the ride cymbal leads the wrong way around. Not bad I'd say; flipped these after the first song. Really need to work on my setup/breakdown time though.

The bassist guy I've played one song with before (literally), he turned up early to check out a singer and keyboardist. Both need work unfortunately.

Anyway, the bassist is just damn good. 7 string bass guitar and he knows how to use it. He's also got one of those looping samplers (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vf46JYhA9E).

So I set up, sat down and we all knocked out two songs off the bat. Then the bassist set to work on his looper, laid down a little bass line, then played melody and chords over the top. I came in with the drums and we jammed for maybe 5 minutes, funky lounge type style perhaps? I liked it

Naturally a little biased, but I felt that the bassist and I were totally on the same wavelength. It was great.

Long story short, Bassist and I have got the gig, we just maybe need to find a better singer and keyboard combo.

I've had some some VEX packs for a few weeks now, I like the SKA kit (Studio Kit) and my mix of the stock Slammin' kit. Anyway, the td20 sounded pretty awesome over the club sound system. 4 bass bins behind me some elsewhere I think too - maybe 8 overhead speakers on the circumfrence of the club. Sweeeet. Will only get better too when we've had a chance to mix next time. I've only ever used headphones til now really and never realised how much HighHat gets lost through them. Over this sound system there was a much greater range of ovrything.

Off to the UK for 12 days now so unfortunately can't be doing any band stuff, but will give you all an update when I am back up and running.

I'm finally in a band.... I think!!!

[ige87]

Congrats! Sounds like a cool thing to be in, and I bet it pays well! Have fun!

[tablatom]

Hey Tablatom,

I fully agree - I really like the way Mr Walden plays double stroke "rolls" between snare and kick on that album.

Nice to talk to someone with similar taste.

yoll Hercules,
Though Neil Peart was a massive influence on me, Mr Waldens playing particularly on the tracks ETERNITY'S BREATH PARTS1&2 have been the biggest influence i have ever had.
I think he was 19 years old during this recording!!!!!!!!!! f-ck me man thats unreal.

EVERYBODY who is a drummer should hear these 2 tracks, its music with the human spirit flying with ecstatic joy.

If ROLAND could bring out some sounds for the TD-20 that sounds like the snare and bass drum on this album i'd be flying with ecstatic joy.

OM OM tOM

[Hercules]

Hey Tablatom,

I agree with your sentiments on Mr Walden, but if you get a chance have a listen to a band called "Gong".

Pierre Moelen was the drummer and he was incredible (passed away last year). The album called "You" is the essence of 70's pyschedelic music and is my favourite album.
The album called "Gazeuse" (or Expresso) in the U.S.A. is more jazz/rock flavoured but the percussion is both dynamic and exquisite - including a drum solo in 7/8 time - yegads!!

Happy playing m8