the recording on this one is exceptionally good. I think you may have perfected the perc mic up over this last year. is there a hint of reverb? Nice one, really warm malaria-like sound

@ Kirk& Kamachi: excellent observation, and you are correct. As most of my patterns are built around clave, and as clave is structured upon so many off-beats, to get my metronome to "click" on some key clave beats, I set my metronome at double time- so my bpm notation reflects what my metronome setting was dialed to. Here is a clave link that graphically shows how many times clave percussion scores are transcribed in 2/2 (cut time) to make it easier to read... but if one is counting 8th notes instead of quarter notes, the bpm will be doubled. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clave_(rhythm)?wasRedirected=true

Excellent playing. But +1 here for the 110 BPM perception :-)

Excellent! I find it interesting that in almost every one of these that you list the BPM I feel them in half time, so I would think of this as 110 BPM

glad to be back. good stuff here.

@ Richard: many thanks- recording accoustical percussion is sometimes tricky and I'm still learning the skill sets required for that. I mount my own skins from bulk rawhide (so not actually tanned) but I don't actually make the rawhide from animal skins... that's a lot of work on a non-industrial level and there are some health concerns when it comes to working with (especially imported) fresh animal skins. Many of the (nonterrorist) cases of anthrax reported involve folks making their own drum heads, so I just use commercially cured cow skin from the USA for the latin drums and buy pre-made drum heads for the African drums, which are usually water buffalo, goat or some sort of deer.

the sound quality is great,,, i can almost see/feel the bending/vibrating of the skin,, do you make,, tan etc your own skins?,,, this has a wonderful warm quality,, great piece

I heard the style somewhere but you perfected it. Thanks for uploading.

Phenomenal - almost, pheromonal!!

i played this in college. fun.

@ Dave: thanks for listening! This recording is 8 tracks, consisting of 2 (stereo) bass drum, cowbell, clave, chinese blocks, and 3 tracks of various sized conga drums playing their parts. Traditionally it is performed by a group of percussionists, which I would *love* to assemble- but that rarely is possible for me to do where I live. Perhaps I should move to Africa.

Thanks Norm, I posted the lyrics. Now then on to this great groove, Yeah baby thats really moving isn't it. Is this one track or a few tracks overdubbed together? I am moving every part of my body to this groove.

Absolutely brilliant.

Great brilliant top job mate.

@ Jarvis: Ha! I'm vocally challenged, but to hear the lyrics, go here: http://alonetone.com/vaisvil/tracks/walk-with-sorrow-norm-rick-chris-emily

Cool job ...but hey lyrics and no vox ?

Yet another good one. I love how you always post the style and a bit of history with each track. It always helps me understand the song better.

excellent! I like the way the congas answer each other.

Great stuff Norm! I must make some time to jam with some of your tracks

Beatiful!

You must have been hammered with snow! Nice work Dave!

Nothing like getting behind the skins when you are sentimental. Happens to me all the time. The skins don't mind tears. Nice skin work here (the pattern is "Tumbao").

Totally pro, Chris. Great, great work.

I just heard the Ramen #3 version of this and it totally blew me away! Furthermore, I sickenly realized that I have posted a piece by the same name, a long time after you posted this one. I apologize for this and have changed the name of my posting (but a similar story to yours... first recording in a new house!!) Strong work team. I'm a big fan!

Lovely.

This is a masterpiece!

Lovely!

Tragic!

Fabulous story.

Your vocals are too hot for covers.

Oh so funky.

To quote Dorthy Parker: "That poor SOB". Strong work Chris!

I had to read a bit about "modal", which I still don't understand. But I know this much: this rocks hard. Many thanks! Here's hoping for a blizzard!

It's always tough for the manager when a "walk-in" steals the show and the crowd clearly prefers him to the scheduled act! Well done! Very soulful bro!

I hate the fact that your percussionist is quite clever.

Love the Rhodes! Cool boat sounds too. What a horrible time in history.

Boom chickie dig-gity boom ba! Excellent collaboration!

Love the percussion pattern here.

**instantly stikes the bait, swallows deeply for the gut hook - can't help myself** Bethan: It is asking too much to expect either Reg to behave himself. Funkmasters, by definition, can't behave. Now this is just perfect. Funk is what you were born to do. Please provide much more like this.

I miss my Alister! :(