[malletjazz]

This isn't flawless by any stretch of the imagination, but I thought I'd share anyway, "warts and all."

It's a clip from a demo recording I did a while back, for a group I lead with steel drum and rhythm section. Rather than recording the band, for the sake of time and logistics, I went ahead and did the whole thing myself - drums and steel drums "live," and "recording" the keys and "bass" (on keys) as MIDI tracks.

http://www.malletjazz.com/drumming/wayweusedtobe.mp3

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[Gooner]

I dig your groove, man...are you actually playing steel drums?

[malletjazz]

Thanks, Gooner.

Yeah, that's me on pans as well as drums in that clip (thank God for multi-track recording technology). Most of my gigging, actually, is on steel drums. I've been playing them for about twenty years, having started when I was in college.

I've got a few more clips I'll have to upload to my site. I'm still saddled with a dial-up connection, so it can take a while to get files to the server.

[mind_drummer]

I like the carribean feel of it ! Good jobs though, I dig your hi-hats sound

[malletjazz]

Thanks, m_d - I think those were my 14" A Zildjian New Beats, which I picked up in the mid-70s. Nothing fancy, but they sound good in just about any situation.

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[skinslapper]

Very smooth. I dig the sound. Nice solid drumming.

[gyutae]

Great playing malletjazz! I really enjoyed listening to that. It's pretty unique that you recorded all of the tracks for the mp3. Doesn't Gregg Bissonette do something like that with drums and bass?

Anyway, the steel drums are definitely unique and something I haven't really heard before. Good stuff!

[malletjazz]

Thanks, gyutae.

Here are a few more tracks - these are quick "demo" clips. Nothing revolutionary in a musical sense - they're geared more towards getting "general business" gigs (wedding receptions, private parties, etc.) - the stuff that helps pay the bills.

http://www.malletjazz.com/eastshorejazz/stir.mp3

http://www.malletjazz.com/eastshorejazz/hot.mp3

Same deal as before - I put down the keyboard and "bass" parts on a sequencer, then put down the drum, conga, and pan tracks separately. I play pans with the group when we perform - unfortunately, the other steel pan players I've worked with in the past have relocated, so I don't get that much of a chance to gig on drums playing this kind of music. I wish I did - these are really fun grooves to play.

These tracks get the job done as far as a demo is concerned, but I'll be the first to admit, Stewart Copeland has nothing to fear from me.

[gyutae]

Very solid playing. It seems like you're very versatile with a lot of different instruments.

For some reason, the first song reminds me of "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid. Haha