If you want to see how Roy Brooks changes the pitch of his drums with the tubes, there is a great video where he shows all his inventions: https://youtu.be/nTAZLbnmBnQ?t=90
He was a fascinating drummer for sure.
And I don't know if you know of a similar ensemble called Family of Percussion, which is sort of the European version of M'Boom.
It was initiated in the seventies by the Swiss percussionist Peter Giger and consisted of percussionists and drummers from different musical traditions.
I saw them in the eighties with Trilok Gurtu from India, Nana Vasconcelos from Brazil and others.
And just in case you want to know more about Peter Giger (who started as a revival Dixieland drummer in Switzerland in the fifties) and his musical development, there's a nice documentation in English where you can also see a short glimpse of the Family of Percussion with Doug Hammond, Trilok Gurtu and Tom Nicholas: https://youtu.be/Lt2FaiYMBQk
V: You’ve got one of the most enjoyable and beautifully written Substacks around. The world of jazz is richer for your contributions. I didn’t know anything about M’Boom aside from that it was Max’s drum project. The music is wonderful, and this is such a great introduction. Your other pieces cover music I’m far more familiar with, and those are killing, too. Thanks so much for your work.
Btw, I’d be very surprised if we didn’t meet at Tonic back in the day.
Would love to do a jazz podcast with you at some point, if you’re up for it. I’ve had my buddies Rick Beato and Vinnie Colaiuta on, and it was a fun talk. We’ve got so much of our favorite music overlapping.
Thank you for this! I was fortunate to see Max a number of times. Max radiated intelligence and deep, deep study of music that had resulted in absolute mastery. There is an album from 1981 that I had on LP (it’s never been issued in any other format that I know of) titled Chattahoochee Red that I recommend. I guess ever so briefly Max and M’Boom were in Columbia Records! I found Chattahoochee Red on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnMczAO3zl0.
“Drums and drummers. For me, they’ve been the moving force and inspiration, a reason to live, and celebrate life through playing music. Thanks to the men who play the drums. This music is dedicated to you.” Dave Liebman, 'Drum Ode'
Thank you again Vinnie for reminding me and other readers of music and musicians who have been ignored over the past several decades (maybe not Mr. Roach but certainly others). I remember when M'Boom's first album came out and then, lo and behold, Columbia Records releases an album by the ensemble some years later (in that short period when the label paid attention to Creative Black Music again). Great idea on Mr. Roach's part.
Warren Smith will hopefully be at VISIONS FESTIVAL this summer , so everyone should go . I heard M Boom live several times and thought Warren consistently locked in with max , but the others soloed out of their own head . If there is another drum ensemble at Visions ,, Warren should be the master , should assign the roles and teach the rest how to listen . Warren is the one who gets African music .
Drum Love. This is great. More music to revisit...
Thanks, I always learn something from these posts.
You got it Mark!!
If you want to see how Roy Brooks changes the pitch of his drums with the tubes, there is a great video where he shows all his inventions: https://youtu.be/nTAZLbnmBnQ?t=90
He was a fascinating drummer for sure.
And I don't know if you know of a similar ensemble called Family of Percussion, which is sort of the European version of M'Boom.
It was initiated in the seventies by the Swiss percussionist Peter Giger and consisted of percussionists and drummers from different musical traditions.
I saw them in the eighties with Trilok Gurtu from India, Nana Vasconcelos from Brazil and others.
This 1978 recording is a nice introduction:
Message To The Enemies Of Time https://youtu.be/pXQr_-T3gKc
There is also a nice record from 1980 with Archie Shepp as guest:
Here Comes The Family https://youtu.be/B16WHUv-Ats
Peter Giger is an unsung hero of the emancipation of drummers, who has initiated many important things, at least in Europe.
And just in case you want to know more about Peter Giger (who started as a revival Dixieland drummer in Switzerland in the fifties) and his musical development, there's a nice documentation in English where you can also see a short glimpse of the Family of Percussion with Doug Hammond, Trilok Gurtu and Tom Nicholas: https://youtu.be/Lt2FaiYMBQk
Highly recommended!
Loved this piece; linked it in my newsletter today.
Thanks!
V: You’ve got one of the most enjoyable and beautifully written Substacks around. The world of jazz is richer for your contributions. I didn’t know anything about M’Boom aside from that it was Max’s drum project. The music is wonderful, and this is such a great introduction. Your other pieces cover music I’m far more familiar with, and those are killing, too. Thanks so much for your work.
Btw, I’d be very surprised if we didn’t meet at Tonic back in the day.
Thank you David!! I greatly appreciate the support!!!
Ah Tonic….I think of it all the time…if we did meet back then, hello!
Thank you so so much David— means a lot to me.
Would love to do a jazz podcast with you at some point, if you’re up for it. I’ve had my buddies Rick Beato and Vinnie Colaiuta on, and it was a fun talk. We’ve got so much of our favorite music overlapping.
Hi David, I’m ready when you are! Totally into it— anytime. Thanks for the comments!!
Thank you Michael!! This is just what I was hoping for-- thank you for reading and sharing!!!
Thank you for this! I was fortunate to see Max a number of times. Max radiated intelligence and deep, deep study of music that had resulted in absolute mastery. There is an album from 1981 that I had on LP (it’s never been issued in any other format that I know of) titled Chattahoochee Red that I recommend. I guess ever so briefly Max and M’Boom were in Columbia Records! I found Chattahoochee Red on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnMczAO3zl0.
I looked around a little for Kenyatte Abdur-Rahman and found (sadly) a memorial tribute to him, saying he was born May 2 1952 and died November 1 2015 in Villiers-les-Nancy. http://www.never-gone.com/Memorials/Tributes.aspx?m=sStv/23c0QIoM24ZasZRCg%3D%3D The comments have links to some radio programs he did (possibly originally online); the one I checked out begins with "Street Dance" by M'Boom from Collage. https://www.mixcloud.com/1bislive/the-super-soul-bowl7/
God I love Max Roach.
“Drums and drummers. For me, they’ve been the moving force and inspiration, a reason to live, and celebrate life through playing music. Thanks to the men who play the drums. This music is dedicated to you.” Dave Liebman, 'Drum Ode'
Another gem, Vinnie
Thanks for posting!
Your Joe Chambers essay cannot come soon enough!
Thank you again Vinnie for reminding me and other readers of music and musicians who have been ignored over the past several decades (maybe not Mr. Roach but certainly others). I remember when M'Boom's first album came out and then, lo and behold, Columbia Records releases an album by the ensemble some years later (in that short period when the label paid attention to Creative Black Music again). Great idea on Mr. Roach's part.
Warren Smith will hopefully be at VISIONS FESTIVAL this summer , so everyone should go . I heard M Boom live several times and thought Warren consistently locked in with max , but the others soloed out of their own head . If there is another drum ensemble at Visions ,, Warren should be the master , should assign the roles and teach the rest how to listen . Warren is the one who gets African music .