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Carnaval Spirit Bateria is a 55 minute CD of inspiring percussion music featuring the sounds of the Brazilian Bateria (collection of drums) We use 3 or more richly tuned bass drums (surdos), caxia (snare drum), agogo (double African bell), tamborim (small stick drum, no jingles), ganza (tube shaker), repinique ( high pitched drum that gives signals), and congas to create a vibrant weave of good feelings. Core members in this recording have studied and played these arrangements with director Kim Atkinson for more than 10 years! [MORE INFORMATION] I have chosen and tuned the instruments very carefully and the overall effect is very melodic and interesting, with each piece having a specific call to start the groove, variations in the parts, a break down or ensemble movement, and an energetic finish. The grooves cover a wide range of musical feeling. Some are my composition, and some are arrangements of traditional pieces from West Africa, Cuba and Brazil.
1) Xica (Shee' Ka) is an original composition combining elements of sacred Candomble rhythms and Samba Reggae. The 12/8 groove lends itself to the cross rhythms I played on repinique. Listen to the tamborim part and experience offbeats smoothly changing. I named the piece after a powerful and famous African woman of the slavery era of Brazil, Xica da Silva. 2) Banda Reggae is based on Haitian Banda, a part of the Petro tradition. I added the name Reggae, as we play the groove at half or one third of its original tempo, and use Samba Reggae motifs. A unique feature of this groove is that the surdos improvise freely, while keeping the basic part. Thanks to Bruce Silverman for the inspiration for this piece. 3) FunkaNova is my fusion of Bossa Nova, the "cool jazz" groove from Brazil, with a modern Funk beat that I learned from "at risk" teenagers that I worked with. Check the Samba tamborim in the middle of the Funk. It rocks! 4) Highlife This is Bateria version of the Nigerian rhythm that I teach on congas in my Speaking of Rhythm series. I've added elements of Ghanian Kpanlogo, a cierre ( unison rhythm figure) from Baba Olatunji and my own conga parts. This groove just oozes happiness! 5) Mozambique is a Carnaval music from Cuba, created by Pello el Afrokan in the 1960's. It has become a favorite of mine, since learning it in Cuba in 1985. I've used traditional bass, conga and bell parts, added by own call, variations and snare part. If you would like to learn the original version, please check out my DVDs Mozambique Vol. 1 and 2. 6) Samba Reggae is a modern groove from Brazil. My arrangement is based on Oludum's style with a bell part from Ile Aye and my own tamborim variations. Samba Reggae is a universal groove - everyone can feel it and every 4/4 beat can fit inside it. I predict that in a few years, everyone in the world will know, love and be dancing to Samba Reggae. 7) Lamba Samba -Timbao is my composition based on West African Lamba, one of the first dun dun/djembe rhythms to become well known in America. I was mystified by it for years until I played dun duns for an extensive Lamba dance class with Marie Basse, eminent West African dancer, teacher and choreographer. During that session, I started to feel Lamba's relationship to Samba and New Orleans second line drumming. That session was the seed of this groove. Lamba Samba jumps into another of my compositions which I call Timbao, in anticipation of playing with many hand drummers. Timbao has some similarity to Guinean Makru and Brazilian Maculele. I enjoy the contrast and return to Lamba Samba. I hope you do to. 8) Baiao is a rhythm for the Northeast of Brazil, usually played in small bands of zambumba, triangle and accordion. I have arranged it for Bateria with many more instruments and a big sound. 9) Rio Samba I have attempted to capture the energy and excitement of the baterias that perform in Rio de Janeiro at Carnaval. I give thanks to all the wonderful Brazilian musicians and dancers who have taught me how to make this music! 10) Slow Samba This is a Rio style arrangement that is a good entry place for people not familiar with the style. Dancers love this one - its nice and slow and sexy. Listen to the tamborim and agogo conversation. 11) Maracatu is processional groove from the northeast of Brazil. I've added my own tamborim , low surdo parts and break to give this arrangement it's unique flavor. 12) Afoxe is a rhythm and dance now popular all over the world and can be heard as part of the musical signature of Bahian artists. My Afoxe' arrangement is based on Ijexa, a sacred trance rhythm that is part of Candomble' drumming. I've added my own call, break, tamborim part and variations. This is great groove to teach your community band, and a good way to start to learn authentic Brazilian Samba, as Afoxe' is one root of it. If you would like to learn this groove on congas, check out Vol. 1 of my Speaking of Rhythm series. 13) Allies is my composition based on Nigerian patterns. The slow 12 -8 groove has many layers that dancers and other musicians can access and improvise upon. You can dance on the slow 3pulse, the slow 4pulse, the medium 6pulse, the 8pulse (follow the tamborim) or the fast 6 pulse ! The twelve bell pattern is dominant in the music, though disguised by the second bell part. Listen closely and enjoy the surdo variations.
Musicians: Kim Atkinson - repinique, caixa, shekere, tamborim, congas, agogo, ganza, all arrangements and conducting No click tracks, sequencing, drum machines or loops were used in this recording. It was edited and mixed in Digital Performer. Engineered, mixed and mastered by Peter Van Gorder. www.GrooveFarm.com I give thanks to my family, friends, teachers and students without whose support and inspiration this album would not be possible. Basic tracks recorded at Studio E, Sebastopol, CA. Additional tracks recorded at GrooveFarm Studios, Graton CA.
Thank you to all past, future and present Carnaval Spirit members and guest artists for their support. Jed, Clement, Willie, Phillip, George, Greg, Tom, Konstantin, John, Brooks, Michael, Leslie, Nancy, Anna, Chayo, Anastasia, Mara, Devi Ja, Leah, Sharon, Peter, Steve, Ken, Joe, Lee, Patrick, Rosemary, Janet, Duncan, Jim, Cary, Michael, Phyllis, Robin, Colin, Michelle, Paula, Marlys, Bridget, Mark, David, Donna, Laura, Ann, Barbara, Shannon, Mabel, Bob, Matt, Sandy, Gina, Michael, Keith, Amy, Laura, Carmen, Patricia, Ed, Andrew, Clay, Denise, Jana, Lou, Deborah, Cheryl, Megan, Feather, Madu and friends, Derek, Soonyana, Gary, Ben, Chris, Apple Tree Morris Dancers
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