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!

Wow, Norda Mullen can really work that flute. What a treat to play with her!

Lovely!

Excellent! Love the Udu.

Tasty piece! Adored by aliens too!

Well, already fave'ed by aliens! I'm in. Excellent collaborative effort. Wonderful mix. Love your voice here Reefwalker, even that crunchy part at 2 minutes is cool. More cello! Yep - you said knee pads.

Great song, which I had not heard before. Well done!

Ha! Reefwalker is right... the sounds of anguish strike a real chord for all of us who have done exactly that!

@RW: Count me in too.

Excellent work! Welcome back other Reg! @ Beth: Well, since you had to ask! Yes, the percussion here is very nice: I would classify this not as Bossanova (a Brazilian pattern built upon Samba type rhythms). To my ear, this is afro-cuban and would be in the "Son" (aka Salsa) family, in which the "2" is the primary accent. There are a variety of patterns in this family, differing primarily in tempo: Bolero; Guajira<104; Danzón = 104-132; Cha-Cha = 108-126; Son = 122-224; Son Montuno = 184-216; Mambo = 224-264.

Gorgeous!

The lower frequency work here is outstanding!

Way hip!

Eegads!

Strong work!

Easy on the catnip, Puss!

Excellent!

Great cover Reg.

Clint Eastwood has Chinese eyes. I think you are absolutely correct. Jose Wells: "Are you a bounty hunter?" Bounty Hunter: "Yep. A man's got to do something for a living." Jose Wells: "Dying ain't much of a living, boy."

That's it. I quit.

Sounds like great fun! Nice hats.