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!

Great production! That cellar is an awesome place!!

Reggikins??? Good grief. A desperate fool. Predictible. Don't forget your credit card Reg - this one is going to cost you more ways than one. (Fantastic vocals)

@Vaisvil: You-know-who is more likely to break up a marriage than a band...

Still hating this one. Daily.

Still hating this one too.

This is still perfect. One of my favs. I kind of feel sorry for that coin... and other times envious of it.

Outstanding!

Oh boy. You keep insisting on crashing that same car over and over again. Can't you see that she collects broken hearts like butterflies - and pins each one into a cigar box she keeps under her big brass bed? The only time she feigns interest in you Reg is when you somehow manage to fly off again - pin and all!

Yeah, that will just happen to you once. Beth is right. Good one!

Uh, Reg, we have heard this before from you. I hope for your sake that you have finally learned your lesson.

Reg has some of the best advise regarding "hate" that I have heard for awhile. Don't be a hater!

Outstanding Zappa feel on the percussion. Vaisvil, you should be careful about whom you allow your children to play with. Reg: your love for Desiree does not come from above. I'm not even sure that she herself is of this world. Why does she always keep showing up at your most vulnerable moments, only to disappear almost immediately??

Clever.

Well done Clara!

Beautiful.

Yes, wonderful harmonies.

Excellent percussion & bass here!

Another great one.

KEEL-HAUL HIM!

@Bee: Yes, these traditional patterns frequently have a melody of their own, and while it can be varied to some degree, an audience familiar with the pattern (and the dancers) expect to hear that melody. Otherwise the percussionist had better be playing behind some protective chicken-wire!