Mos Def... More Controversy


Steve Catanzaro (stevencatanzaro@sprintmail.com)
Wed, 22 Dec 1999 09:54:31 -0700



Hey again, all, still rocking Mos Def, and there's one thing that's really
starting to bug me, not just on this disc, but on so much music out there
now, namely

Where's the live drums?

I was always under the impression that drum programming, sampling, beat
chopping, loops, and what not were substitutes for the real thing,
innovative solutions for guys and gals on a budget. (Anyone who's tried
knows that real drums are the hardest thing to record right, usually.) Of
course, drum and bass transcends that, and the real drummers are now trying
to catch up with the programmers. But still, Mos Def's record is so steeped
in R&B and funk - soul - jazz styles... so, where's the drummer?

And, I'll bet Mos Def's budget was pretty big. Those of you rocking that
record, just imagine how much better it would sound if, instead of a 2 or 4
bar loop, it was a real drummer holding it down on "My Umi Says" or some of
those other jams. He could'a done it. Why didn't he?

About the only drummer I've heard lately is Francisco Moira jamming on
Innerzone Orchestra, and I think this list generally agrees that this rocks.
When are we going to hear more LIVE drum trax on hip hop, R&B, and acid jazz
records, specially the big budget ones? Or, did everyone forget how to play
the drums after samplers were invented?



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