Recently, the first-call studio and touring drummer Abe Laboriel Jr visited Drum Channel Studios. While recording he discovered the pure, warm tonality and articulation of the retro-inspired PDP Concept™ Classic Series kit featuring plied European Maple counter hoops. The powerhouse drummer was also enamored by the sonic attributes of the 14” x 26” bass drum that accompanied the set-up.
A classic for the modern age, PDP Concept™ Maple Classic bridges the gap between modern build techniques and vintage aesthetics. The 100% European Maple drum shells, with matching counter hoops deliver a round, focused sound with minimal overtones, ideal for any studio environment. The 3-piece kit is available with a variety of kick drum sizes including 20”, 22”, 24”, and 26”. Bop configurations are offered with a 14” x 18”. The kits are finished in a range of understated satin lacquer finishes including Ox Blood, Ebony, Walnut and Natural. Standard features include True-Pitch™ tuning, vintage-style low-profile die-cast Claw Hooks, Dual Turret Lugs and Remo heads.
Laboriel Jr. is known for playing both oversized-sized drums and cymbals, while harnessing the subtle nuance of their dynamic range. Commenting on the sound of the drums in his home studio in Los Angeles he said, “These PDP wood hoop drums are consistently killer!! everything that I love about DW’s; dynamic, warm tone & punchy attack. these drums are super versatile & great to record!”
Abe Laboriel Jr. grew up around some of the biggest names in music with a father who is amongst the most influential bass players of our time. He made his live debut with Paul McCartney in 2001 and has played on every tour since. A highly sought-after session drummer, he has worked with industry heavyweights including Eric Clapton, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Lady Gaga, Seal, Chris Isaak and many others.
To find out more about PDP and the Concept™ Maple Classic kit and Snare please go to www.pacificdrums.com
If you had the chance to participate NAMM 2020 in January or did check some of GEWA’s Youtube Clips, you’ve already had the ability to experience Eric Moore and the GEWA G9 concept study.
Eric was touring in Europe in 2019 and had the chance to visit the “GEWA Drums Development Hub“ at the GEWA music HQ in Adorf, Germany. He got an exclusive look behind the curtain and checked the G9 concept on an early stage. Eric was more than impressed of the great team spirit and immediately wanted to become a part of the young GEWA G9 team. He helped during the last 8-9 month to further improve the G9, especially the hi-hat. In collaboration with renown artists like Eric Moore, Ben Barter, Felix Lehrmann and Bene Neuner, GEWA introduced the final version of the GEWA G9 in May 2020 to the European retailers.
Eric had the chance to test the official product back in May 2020 and has now decided to take the next step and start a long term collaboration with Gewa
“It is great to welcome such an outstanding musician and drummer as one of the first GEWA G9 brand ambassadors. Eric is a great guy who was pushing our R&D team to the limit and beyond! The relationship we have is very special and we all will be able to experience some outstanding and great things happening in the next couple of years! Everything we do we do for the e-drum community out there, Eric will definitely help to further push our projects and put it on another level!“
Hans-Peter Messner (CEO/President GEWA music)
“The Gewa G9 series is fresh, innovative and the future when it comes to Electric Drums. The touchscreen features and unlimited sounds that can be loaded via Wifi are remarkable, not to mention the playability and its stunning look. I have truly found a company I’m proud to stand aside and I am grateful and happy to be a part of the Gewa Family.” Eric Moore – Brand ambassador GEWA G9.
Zultan says…“A beautiful new group of cymbals finished in B20 bronze, the Anniversary set is a melange of cymbal textures that give you flexibility in a wide range of musical styles and scenarios. With an earthy tone, medium dry decay and articulate response, the Anniversary set is brilliantly suited to jazz, funk, and “grungy” rock styles. These cymbals respond excellently in all dynamics ranges to give you a delicate, nuanced tone from lighter strokes that you can dial up all the way to a roar while keeping harsh overtones to a minimum.”
For more completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released. You can also follow us on our social media channels:
All of Drummer’s Review videos are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform be sure to listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
DW has recently begun shipping its Collector’s Series® Private Reserve Exotics. Hand-crafted at the California Custom Shop, the exclusive range of exotic wood veneers is only available in limited supply which can be viewed here.
Monkey Pod
John Good, DW’s highly respected ‘wood-whisperer’ and drum designer, has once again traveled the world to hand-curate a stunning collection of select wood species that can be ordered as exotic finishes over available DW shell configurations. Included in the new 2020 collection is Tortoise Shell Pommele, Moabi, Horizontal Padouk, Vertical Padouk, Super Maple Curl, African Chechen and Monkey Pod. Each Exotic can be custom ordered in hand-sprayed polyester gloss lacquer or matte finish Hard Satin lacquer. In addition, these natural wonders can be combined with an almost limitless array of bursts, fades and transparent lacquers to create a one-of-a-kind visual statement.
Moabi
The origins of the collection are varied and storied: –
Tortoise Shell Pommele is a rare, semi-hard wood sourced from Ghana, Africa.
Good chose the Congolese Moabi for the startling consistency and striking beauty of its grain. The extreme quilting of this pinkish wood comes from environmental drought conditions.
One of the most colorful veneers in the assortment is Padouk. Ordinarily it is only available in a vertical configuration as the veneer usually comes in 6” strips. However Good found a unique log from which 25” strips could be cut enabling DW to offer a rare horizontal version.
Maple trees on the outer edges of forests in Michigan are exposed to extremes of the cold and stormy weather. This harsh climate causes stunning figures to form in the grain of the heartwood and produce Super Maple Curl.
African Chechen is generally a white wood with a straight, stripy grain. Good discovered an extraordinary log where the variegations and beauty of the grain is spectacular.
The dark, rich Monkey Pod wood from Hawaii with its golden hues usually has a less figured grain. Good has located an unusual piece of timber with a very expressive, tight grain pattern to perfectly compliment the Candy Black Burst.
Padouk
John Good comments, “Last year I found these logs on a very productive wood hunt. My wife Esther and I have the good fortune of traveling the world looking for woods that that are rarely used on musical instruments. And I have these relationships with wood purveyors that come in handy. They’ve become friends. They know what I like and they save things for me to see. These new Private Reserves are some of my very favorites.”
Super Maple Curl
Every Collector’s Series® kit is crafted using the latest technology including a host of available grain orientation lay-ups and patented manufacturing techniques such as Cool Tempered Shells™ and Timber Matching™.
Tortoise Shell Pommele
To find out more about the ultimate in dream set-ups please visit www.dwdrums.com/
Pearl says…“e/MERGE is about change, and change in the e-drum market has been way overdue. When we looked closely at every aspect of the current e-drumming experience with KORG, together we knew we could make a dramatic difference. And that difference begins with the all new e/MERGE module. Simple yet elegant in design, the e/MERGE MDL-1 module features a full library of hi definition, natural, organic and minimally processed acoustic Pearl drums. We then added the very best electronic, world, orchestral and specialty percussion sounds from KORG’s vast library of pristine quality samples. But the module is only part of the change.
Introducing WAVE TRIGGER TECHNOLOGY. This all new technology partially based upon KORG’s now legendary Wave Drum brings a realism, instantaneous response and dynamic range never before imagined possible. The sensitivity provided by WTT is simply amazing. Pearl’s all new PUREtouch Pad System completes the experience. PUREtouch has been painstakingly developed to create a true acoustic-like pad experience. No excessive unnatural bounce and no wrist shaking ultra-hard practice pad like feel, PUREtouch provides the sizes and feel every acoustic drummer has come to expect.”
For more completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released. You can also follow us on our social media channels:
All of Drummer’s Review videos are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform be sure to listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
Latest addition to LARK Distribution’s growing portfolio offers innovative must-haves for drummers…
Revolution are a passion-driven business producing highly innovative premium products that are generally small in size but big on value. For over a decade they have been producinghighly practical, useful and affordable accessories that have become the choice of such major players as Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati and Cora Coleman.
Their patentedFireFly drum keyhelps alleviate the agonies associated with drum tuning by utilizing a German made unidirectional bearing which allows exceptional, smooth, precise, ratcheting action without the annoying clicking and feel of a standard drum ratchet tuner. The FireFly also features a streamline, ergonomic handle for added comfort and knurled ends for lighting fast drumhead changes. Machine manufactured to be long lasting and durable it’s a must have in every drummers stick bag!
There are many gel style drum dampers on the market but Revolution’sTruTones™ premium headdampersare made from a proprietary material that is durable, residue-free,will improve tone and make your drums perform better. They come in a handy storage casethat contains 4 standard and 6 micro size dampers that will easily fit in your stick bag.
Their patented T-LOKS™tension rod lockingsystem is a simple and effectiveway to keep your drums in tune. Made of chrome plated solid brass,T-LOKS™are designed to solve the perpetual problem of tension rods coming loose byscrewing right onto the tension rods to create a locking effect directly under the hoop. Each pack contains 5 T-LOKS™ with 5 neoprene washers and are available to fit both standard and DW style tension rods.
For more information on these innovative products plusRevolution’s other ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ items please head over to https://revodrum.com
Revolution are the latest brand to join LARK Distributions’ growing catalogue of high demand products alongside SJC Custom Drums, Prologix Percussion practice products and Headhunters Drumsticks and Creations.
Revolution is available for immediate order. For more information and availability on the whole catalogue of products available from LARK Distribution please contact info@larkdistribution.co.uk
Drum Workshop Inc. (DW) have announced the addition of Steel Gray to its award-winning Design Series™ line-up. The boutique-inspired drums are versatile and value-priced, offering drummers pro-features and road-worthy build quality in DW’s most popular F.A.S.T. (Fundamentally Accurate SizedToms) sizes. Made from hand-picked North American Hard Rock Maple, the kits are well-suited for a wide variety of drumming styles and musical genres.
Design Series are offered in standard 5-piece configurations with three available add-ons including a 7” x 8” rack tom, 12” x 14” and 16” x 18’ floor toms. Incorporating HVLT™ (Vertical Low Timbre shell with a horizontal outer ply), Design Series™ shells are full, resonant, and responsive. Pro features include True-Pitch™ tuning, STM™ (Suspension Tom Mounts), MAG™ throw-off, Remo heads and more.
Steel Gray adds an additional highly durable, UV-cured lacquer color option to the pallet. Existing finish choices include Cherry Stain, Gloss White, Black Satin and Tobacco Burst. The new color was inspired by the automotive industry’s latest sports car designs and was approved by both DW artists and fans.
Global Vice President of Marketing, Scott Donnell, comments, “Design Series is our entry point into the world of DW Drums, and it’s a world just begging to be discovered. HVLT Shell Technology gives these drums a serious sonic edge, and with new finishes and specialty drums being added all of the time, you never know what surprises will come next!”
Here’s our review of a Mapex Saturn 2020 Shell Pack, featuring…
22″ x 18″ bass drum,
10″ x 7″ rack tom,
12″ x 8″ rack tom,
16″ x 14″ floor tom,
Hybrid 4-ply Maple / 2-ply Walnut shells,
Satin white finish,
Mapex SONIClear bearing edges,
SONIClear rack tom mounts,
Mapex SAS 90° floor tom legs with Sonic Saver pedestal feet,
Nodal line air flow venting system,
REMO heads fitted throughout.
SONIClear Rack Tom Mount
Nodal Line Air Flow Venting
SAS 90º Floor Tom Legs
Mapex says…“The New Mapex Nodal Line Air Flow Venting Scheme gives Saturn a superior feel and just the right amount of resonance. Whether tuning up high for jazz and fusion or down deep for rock-n-roll, the unique Maple and Walnut shell composition, complete with SONIClear™ bearing edges, results in clear and focused toms and a bass drum that sounds bigger than it should.”
For more completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released. You can also follow us on our social media channels:
All of Drummer’s Review videos are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform be sure to listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
On September 18, renowned virtuoso drummer, songwriter and singer Cindy Blackman Santana will release her astonishing new solo album, Give the Drummer Some. Three years in the making, the record is a rapturous testament to Blackman Santana’s unparalleled musicianship and compositional mastery, featuring 17 tracks (both instrumentals and vocal songs) that take listeners on an exuberant, compelling and beautifully sustained journey that will leave them breathless.
“If I had any kind of agenda at all, I wanted this album to be all-encompassing,” says Blackman Santana. “Pop, funk, rock, jazz – I embrace the creativity in all of it, and I feel so inspired when I play it. That’s what I wanted people to feel when they listen to the album – inspired.”
Working as her own producer as well as with multiple Grammy-winning hitmaker Narada Michael Walden (Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey, among others), Blackman Santana welcomed a brilliant array of musicians to her sessions, including an eye-popping host of guitar titan guest stars, such as Mahavishu Orchestra legend John McLaughlin, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid and Metallica’s Kirk Hammett. As one might expect, the drummer, who for the past decade been a mainstay in the band Santana, features the unmistakable artistry of her guitar icon husband, Carlos Santana, on eight remarkable cuts.
Heralded as one of the greatest drummers of her time, Blackman Santana turns in bravura playing throughout Give the Drummer Some – check out her dizzying jazz solo turn on “Mother Earth.” But this is also the album on which she distinguishes herself as a supreme vocalist, as evidenced on the record’s first single, an extraordinary rock-funk re-imagining of John Lennon’s classic “Imagine.” Having received a “thumbs up” from no less than Yoko Ono Lennon, the stomping track (which features a wicked guitar solo by Carlos), is already burning up radio and streaming playlists and is also the first track issued via SongAid, a new global initiative the Santanas have helped launch to benefit WhyHunger’s Rapid Response Fund.
Blackman Santana, who had logged over a decade in Lenny Kravitz’s touring band, recalled how he put a new groove to his hit version of “American Woman.” “Narada and I talked about that, and we decided to do something similar with ‘Imagine’ – thanks, Lenny!” she says. “It’s a profound song that we turned into a joyous celebration, one that really rocks.”
Blackman Santana’s sparkling vocals light up Give the Drummer Some’s next single, “She’s Got it Goin’ On’” – a doozy of a party jam but one with a distinct point of view. “It’s a fun, clubby, party song that celebrates the confidence that a strong woman has,” says Blackman Santana. “She’s dressed for success, she’s got her hair just right, she’s got a strut – she knows who she is. I wanted to celebrate confident women in a really cool way. And a celebration can be empowering.”
On the epic instrumental “We Came to Play,” Blackman Santana creates a gargantuan groove while engaging in a riveting musical conversation with John McLaughlin and bassist Matt Garrison; on top of which Neal Evans adds an amazing palate on organ providing warm, textured undertones. “This track kept building and building, and things got very fiery,” says Blackman Santana. The title sums up the vibe: ‘This is us, we’re playing, and if you don’t like it, go home!’”
Carlos Santana: Photo credit Roberto Finizio
“Everybody’s Dancin’” is a hook-filled, deliciously vibey treasure that features a mega-searing guitar solo by Carlos. As Blackman Santana explains, the song came about following a remark that producer Walden made about her hair: “Narada loves my Afro – he said it was electric,” she laughs. “That really sparked the idea for the song. We wanted something that united people, something fun and universal that would be a joy for them to sing. It certainly was for me.”
The musical journey expands with the aptly named, ultra-funky “Superbad” (which features a sublime guitar solo by John McLaughlin) and the slinky yet poignant ballad “You Don’t Wanna Breaka My Heart” (laced with Carlos’ soaring leads). For mind-altering art rock, there’s “Social Justice” (called by a spirited and uplifting rap by Santana vocalist Andy Vargas) and the daring, epic exploration of light and shade, “Twilight Mask,” on which Carlos unleashes torrents of sonic fury.
On the hard-charging rock-metal gem “Evolution Revolution,” Blackman Santana pairs Vernon Reid’s singular talents with those of Metallica’s Kirk Hammett – and the results are utterly spectacular. And as its title suggests, “Miles Away” is an unabashed tribute to jazz pioneer Miles Davis. The combination of Blackman Santana’s magnificent drumming and trumpeter Bill Ortiz’s exquisite soloing casts a magical spell.
During her illustrious career, Blackman Santana has performed with a prestigious and diverse group of artists (Lenny Kravitz, Ron Carter, Bill Laswell, Joss Stone, Wallace Roney, Buckethead, Angela Bofill, Vernon Reid, Jack Bruce, Jackie McLean, Don Pullen, Buster Williams, just to name a few), and she has released a string of critically and commercially hailed solo albums. In many ways, Give the Drummer Some represents a grand summation of Blackman Santana’s talents and history, but it’s also the start of an exciting new chapter in her musical life.
“It was a lot of fun to do so many vocal songs on this album,” she says. “I am, and always will be a drummer, but it’s also exciting to showcase the singer side of me. I want people to have a great time listening to it. I set out to make a record that was fun and uplifting, but more than that I wanted the messages to matter. If people come away from it feeling all that I put into it, then I’ve done my job.”
Here’s our review of a selection of Sabian AAX FREQ cymbals, featuring…
14″ Hats,
16″ Crash,
17″ Crash
21″ Ride,
dual-band lathing,
minimal hammering,
raw bell,
B20 Bronze construction.
Sabian says..“When you think AAX, think of a cymbal you can play all day long on modern or mainstream music – with a range as wide as Bruno Mars to Meshuggah. Definitely check out the brand new Thin and Medium crashes – they sound like HEAVEN.”
For more completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released. You can also follow us on our social media channels:
All of Drummer’s Review videos are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform be sure to listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
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