Cool Recordings of My Band Down Here in Mexico

Jazzooo · January-10th-2006, 11:10 AM

I have been talking with Ken Basman, the guitarist of my Mexican band Mo'Ritmo, about recording the group before I head back to CA at the end of January. Maybe just a couple of songs to get us started on an album we could finish in June.

The band is really hot right now, but there are problems--gear problems, mostly. Squeaky hi hats, drums that don't really speak out as much as wash over the music, etc. So the first order of business is to spend a couple of hours in Ken's studio (a decent sounding room with Digital Performer in the control booth) and experiment with mics, drum heads, etc.

We'll use a local kid who wants to intern with Ken to press 'start' and 'stop.' At this time, it seems like we'll all be in the same room with headphones, guitar amp in the vestibule and my electric piano and organ going direct. I would add a few acoustic piano overdubs back in CA--no sense in paying to tune my Mexican acoustic with me leaving so soon.

It's exciting for me because if the band hits it, the record will absolutely rock. And we usually hit it, but the last two gigs have been the best. Plus, in keeping with my track record and my philosophy, it will once again be completely different from anything I've ever released.

I imagine the mixing will be shared between Ken and me--we tend to agree and work really well together on mixing (I was just there today helping him with a project he's doing for a band from Mexico City).

Two other reasons I'm excited about this: the songs themselves and Ken's guitar playing. Ken first--he is simply the strongest and most creative guitar player I've worked with since Mike Miller in 2000 and Mike Stern in '97. His gear is his Achilles Heel--a cheap Strat knockoff that goes out of tune too often, mainly. (Money is pretty tight when you're a musician in Mexico.) But he makes it sound great, without a bunch of pedals or Pods (he's been using a Roland Cube 60, but he sometimes uses an old Fender Bassman head). Anyway, I just want people to hear him--I think he'll turn a few heads.

And the songs--I'm really happy with what I've written, which is far funkier and less complex than my usual repetoire. It's all a bit Scofield meets Dr John, but it still sounds like me more than anyone else imo. And Ken's contributed two great songs as well, a ripsnorter and a ballad. The bassist, Antonio, has a song that we'll probably include but it needs tweaking.

Anyway, this Wed we work on drum sounds, and we probably record next Wed after another Sunday gig to iron out arrangements. Nothing more to say that I can think of till something happens, but I just felt like telling you guys that it's in motion.

Oh, the song titles are fun too:

1.Marcale Sam (accent on the first syllable--it means, 'Count it off, Sam')
2. Aldama Mama'
3. Slam Dunk
4. Billy's New Hampster
5. Tres Leches
6. Curvas Peligrosas
7. Dolphins and Greens (a reharmonization of Green Dolphin Street--JAZZOOO recorded this too)
8. Gulf Coast
9. Song for Santa Cecilia (she's the patron saint of musicians and the blind!)
10. The Santiago Shuffle (the drummer's wife just gave birth to Santiago on Thursday, so I wrote this for them)

Gary Delligatti · January-10th-2006, 11:27 AM

Lookin' forward to hearing your work. Good luck in the studio

graypencil · January-10th-2006, 02:22 PM

Good luck Doug!

BTW: really thick cup grease ( like for truck bearings ) can really take the squeaks out of aging hi-hat stands. New heads may help on the drums too ..but if the cymbas are bad, you do have problems

Ron Thorne · January-10th-2006, 08:15 PM

Best of luck with this new fun-sounding project, Doug.

In addition to what graypencil said, another possibility for a squeaky hi-hat stand is a lubricating oil with graphite suspended in it, like is used for vehicle door locks.

New drum heads (especially the right ones) will certainly only provide you with more options for tweaking, hopefully giving you more sonic musicality, as well.

Jazzooo · January-10th-2006, 09:38 PM

Thanks, guys--tomorrow morning I'm bringing some 3-in-1 oil and the drummer's bringing new heads. I think I can get his kit sounding good, and he's really open to letting me work on his kit.

Phil, I think you will love a few of these tunes!

Dr Dave · January-11th-2006, 07:33 PM

Surely you can borrow a decent guitar for this guy to play on the date...

GoodSpeak · January-11th-2006, 08:38 PM

Doug,

Be sure to let us know when the CD is available....looking forward to giving it a listen.

Jazzooo · January-11th-2006, 09:24 PM

Thanks,Tim--will do.

Dave, down here in Mexico, decent gear is not that easy to find at all, let alone borrow. I wouldn't have believed it either, but now that I've lived here (part time) for over a year, I'm convinced. It is a magical place, but it is also a third world country. And honestly, he makes that thing sound great. I did, however, spend two hours working on the drums today, and I'm still not very happy with their sound. There are a couple of good rock drumsets in town--we might have to rent one and tweak it.

Dr Dave · January-11th-2006, 09:58 PM

Doug, I've provided a link with information about Fender's factory in Ensenada, Mexico. Mexicans may not be able to afford them, but Fender is making very good guitars in Mexico. If this guy is as good as you say he is--and I'll bet he is--then maybe it's time Fender Mexico had a Mexican guitarist endorse its guitars! (Yeah, I'm just blowing smoke, but crazier things have happened...)

Fender Mexico

Jazzooo · January-12th-2006, 02:12 AM

Thanks, Dave--I just wrote a passionate email to Fender!

Jazzooo · January-24th-2006, 11:30 PM

The group is Mo' Ritmo--me on organ, Ken Basman on guitar (also composer for this track), Antonio Lozoya on bass, Victor Monterubio on drums. The tune is "Markale Sam" which means 'Count It Off, Sam.'

http://s46.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0...J2JQNWSCZT6DKD

The recording is quick and dirty with some flubs, but the spirit is happening, the guitar solo is hot, and after the--argh--bass solo

there is some kind of sexy interplay between the guitar and organ.

Hope you enjoy it!

Doug

Ron Thorne · January-25th-2006, 05:35 AM

What, you guys couldn't establish a groove?

Pitiful.

January-25th-2006, 09:29 AM

nice

[I was kinda skeptical about loading it, dialup an' all, and I don't hear too good in mexican. Anyhow, I found this easily translatable.

]

JazzAt52ndStreet · January-25th-2006, 07:20 PM

whoo...sweet!

Scott Dolan · January-25th-2006, 08:04 PM

Man, I can't wait to get home!!!!

Can't get it here at work.

Sergio Zamora · January-25th-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzooo

The tune is "Markale Sam" which means 'Count It Off, Sam.'

That should be "Márcale, Sam"

Ron Thorne · January-25th-2006, 10:17 PM

Did you hear the MP3 track, Sergio?

Jazzooo · January-25th-2006, 11:24 PM

Right you are, Sergio--thanks!

I appreciate you guys listening--it always blows my mind how few people at Jazz Corner tune in to listen to my stuff. Maybe they heard something years ago they didn't care for, but guys like Ron are in a position to know that I never release the same album twice. Anyway, thanks for listening. The group is in the studio right now, and it's going great. Monday is our last day till June, due to my travel schedule, but by the end of the year we should have something nice.

chuckyd4 · January-26th-2006, 04:38 AM

This track is really smoking, Doug. Nice work. keep us updated on the new project.

Gary Delligatti · January-26th-2006, 06:31 AM

Jazzooo:
I'm not a musician by any means, just a fan of jazz music. I really enjoyed listening to the track. Nice percussion opening. organ solo and guiter solo was nice. yeah...i think I would like to hear more..Thanks for sharing it! I would like to hear the finished project, please let us know when it is to be released and where to get it..

Jazzooo · January-26th-2006, 11:12 AM

Wow, thanks--just after I was whining about no one listening, too! how embarrassing.

Here is something else quite terrific, I think--it's the guitarist soloing over the changes to Giant Steps at a sound check for the same gig. I'm on drums for this one, and the drummer is on bongos. The bassist gets a little lost rhythmically towards the end of the guitar solo, but that's life.

http://www.vsplanet.com/mp3s/j/jazzo...n01-Track1.mp3

I *love* the way Ken Basman plays the guitar.

Chris D · January-26th-2006, 03:03 PM

I like the drummer's feel. I'd buy a drink or two and catch the whole set.

Sergio Zamora · January-26th-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

Did you hear the MP3 track, Sergio?

I did. Why do you ask?

Doug, it was very nice, but to my ears the drummer (Monterubio) sounds way too busy for the first three or four minutes of the track. Perhaps that was intentional, but it was a bit distracting. Nice organ playing, btw.

Ron Thorne · January-26th-2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio Zamora

I did. Why do you ask?

Doug, it was very nice, but to my ears the drummer (Monterubio) sounds way too busy for the first three or four minutes of the track. Perhaps that was intentional, but it was a bit distracting. Nice organ playing, btw.

Mere curiosity, Sergio.

Jazzooo · January-26th-2006, 05:17 PM

Sergio, it might be a stylistic thing, but I believe it's also a mix thing. Properly mic'd and recorded, each drum would fit somewhere into the fabric of the performance. This was just two mics in front of the band (and actually, in front of the drumset) and he's a bit overpowering. Some of what he's playing was softer than it appears.

Did you guys check out the clips to the guitar solo over Giant Steps? DOn't miss it. Then you can hear *me* playing drums.

Ron Thorne · January-26th-2006, 05:33 PM

I just downloaded and listened to the GS clip, Doug. Nice feel and interesting take on this. I'm with you on the touch and sensibilities of Ken Basman. And, I liked the way you set up the open ride/cross-stick pattern. Giant Steps takes on a whole different dynamic at that tempo and with the looser approach. I dig it a lot!

Wish it were longer and the bassist was a little more comfy with it.

Yeah, I figured that there was at least one mic in very close proximity to the drum kit in that first mp3 clip you shared. No wonder his snare sounds so up front.

Jazzooo · January-27th-2006, 02:50 PM

oh, the song is longer Ron--I just didn't want to subject everyone to the bass solo.

Jazzooo · January-29th-2006, 12:49 PM

One little bump, as the host site will be taking the track down any day now.

Pete C · January-29th-2006, 02:39 PM

Jazzooo · January-29th-2006, 06:14 PM

now that's a neat album cover, or it would be if it's not.