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!

Nice work guys! I love it.

Very strong.

Ecumenically enchanting.

Thanks Sis. Although I'm not suprised, I didn't realize that - I have now updated the credits.

Nice keys!

Brilliant!

Excellent! I don't believe that I have ever been mashed before! Many thanks!

Smooth. Love the bass.

Good one! Very nice improv.

tastey riff...

Awesome!

@Sis: LOL! Sir Bedevere: There are ways of telling whether she is a witch. ---Are there? Oh well, tell us. Sir Bedevere: Tell me. What do you do with witches? --Burn them. Sir Bedevere: And what do you burn, apart from witches? --More witches. --Wood. Sir Bedevere: Good. Now, why do witches burn? --...because they're made of... wood? Sir Bedevere: Good. So how do you tell whether she is made of wood? --Build a bridge out of her. Sir Bedevere: But can you not also build bridges out of stone? --Oh yeah. Sir Bedevere: Does wood sink in water? --No, no, it floats!... It floats! Throw her into the pond! Sir Bedevere: No, no. What else floats in water? --Bread. --Apples. --Very small rocks. --Cider. --Gravy. --Cherries. --Mud. --Churches. --Lead! Lead! --A Duck. Sir Bedevere: ...Exactly. So, logically... --If she weighed the same as a duck... she's made of wood. Sir Bedevere: And therefore... ...A witch!

Clever. Great cover.

Tight!

Love it!

Excellent.

Simply awesome.

Sweet!

Excellent! Now I don't need to run out and buy one of those Halloween CDs to play for my trick-or-treaters.

Beautiful. And appropriately titled: "Breath of Air" for a breath of fresh air...