Who's your favorite Steve Coleman drummer ?

By order of appearance in the 5 elements (correct me if I'm wrong or forget somebody)
1) Smitty Smith
2) Gene Lake
3) Sean Rickman
4) Marcus Gilmore
5) Tyshawn Sorey

There is actually one rythm section I had never seen before: the one on Fabrik88 video (it's actually funny to see them in these 80s outfit), I could only recognize David Gilmore (and realize that he has been with SC for quite a long time)

My vote goes to Smitty(I still can't get over Black Science man-especially "Turbulence"). How about yours ?

P.S: second, Gene Lake. Third may be Tyshawn, if he sticks around long enough. I actually like him from his work with Steve Lehman and Vijay Iyer in Fieldwork. My problem with Sean is the way his snare was tuned, way to 'bright' (en Francais je dirai que son son de batterie est trop aigu pour moi), it's a question of taste I guess.

First: You forgot Dafnis Prieto.

I can understand your preference for Marvin Smitty Smith. The music of “Rhythm People” and “Black Science” is complete, perfect in its way – so I think – and Smith has a great part in it. I often enjoyed seeing him on the video: soooo cool, complex, elastic.

I also like the others. I can’t fix an order.

>> My problem with Sean is the way his snare was tuned, way to 'bright' <<

I never have noticed that. But when I imagine his sound: yes, it is as you have said. But I like that much. I also like especially the drum on his left side which sounds like Timbales.
Rick sounds sooo clearly and tensely like a bow (arc). From my point of view he is a master of style. Every beat of him seems to strike a light. He impressed me most. For me every time it is a pleasure also to SEE him playing.

I think it's import to regard the drummers with their connections to the other members of the rhythm section: Rickman with Anthony Tidd and Anga or Sandy Perez etc….

Tyshawn Sorey:
In my eyes he is like a flood, rather soft but with great power and with a transcending of patterns to big streams … I also hope that he will stay.

Joined : 20 Apr 2006 Posts : 57 Localisation : Rome

without doubt sean rickman. he was the drummer that really gave power to steve's music which is the thing sometimes i need in this kind of music.
when i did hear steve's music for the first time there was marvin which was perfect for that different kind of approach (considering dave holland's group too).

a little off topic, i consider def trance beat the best steve's recording because i think it's perfectly balanced in every aspect, where the gene lake's drumming is highly coherent.

whew!! this is imposible for me. they're all so diffrent.
one thing i can say is that i love what Ty has brought to Steves music lately. i hope he stays too.

you forgot Dafnis tho.

/Marcelo

Joined : 20 Apr 2006 Posts : 57 Localisation : Rome

Hi Zeruyo!

>> def trance beat … it's perfectly balanced in every aspect, where the gene lake's drumming is highly coherent <<

From my point of view that is quite right. I always have considered this CD as a dark gem. In a general view it reminded me a bit of “Kind Of Blue” though it is very different.

I can’t say that it would be the best. I can’t define a ranking. But I seem to experience the music of this CD a bit like you and that’s nice. Smile

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Drummers:

I just have seen: On next tour the Five Elements will have a new drummer: Justin Brown.

I think that is he:
http://www.uop.edu/brubeck/programs/fellows/brubeck_fellows_0304.asp

Why do drummers and bassists so often change in the Five Elements?

Joined : 20 Apr 2006 Posts : 57 Localisation : Rome

1: Mr. Rickman
2: Mr. Lake
3: Mr. Smith

Joined : 20 Apr 2006 Posts : 57 Localisation : Rome

>> … but i have to fight against my poor english << (zeruyo)

That’s my problem too. Often I must say something in a way which is not exactly that what I mean.

>> Maybe they are the over stressed elements << (zeruyo)

I think the same way!

Once (2005) I read a posting of Sean Rickman in a forum (www.hostboard.com). He said: “… I slow down a bit to get my daughter into school this year and to spend more time with my family in general. Travelling for years is a lonely and busy existence, especially with knuckleheads like Steve Coleman …”

Also great drummers seem to be real human beings!
And there seem to be some anger.

>> It's amazing the rigor … << (CharlesM)

I also noticed that and I’m not the one who likes such things.

On the other hand I think: It’s an illusion to expect that such an individual, very complex music can work without that rigor. The way of leading may be different but all such leaders are very dominant. I don’t like this kind of acting. But I like the result: the music. So I’m in an antagonism sometimes . There is a saying: “Where is much light there is much shadow”. When liveliness is increased the pleasing things AND the aggressive things are increased … Beethoven was great and drove a young man to suicide ... Sun Ra brought the vision of a better world from Saturn and waked his musicians at night when he wanted to speak with them …
That seems to be an old and never ending story. Nevertheless I would miss the results.

>> … each instrument in the group have had about the same number of people << (CharlesM)

Maybe, but the melody-section is the same since 2003. Now it seems to be very well-rehearsed.
More bass players: Junior Terry, Thomas Morgan.

>> … It seems perfection always requires some kind of obsessive attention to details. …<<

I think: You are quite right. But there is also the contrary side:
Steve Coleman said in an interview: “Listen to Charlie Parker; it’s not perfect. There’s still the human thing there. Von Freeman told me once: ‘Don’t tune up too much, baby – you’ll lose your soul.’” (NY-Times 18.08.2002).

I especially like the combination of both sides in his music: the very serious, ambitious character and the playful, easy going character; the very challenging complexity and the direct, sensuous impact; high sophistication and a touching naturalness, nativeness; the energy of warriors and a charming kindness; darkness and light; rigor and soul; conception and feeling …

From my point of view often both sides of those dualisms are increased in Coleman’s music. Often he steps out of the dark sides with lucid lines, with a "charm of spiritedness". That’s what I like most.

I don’t know how Coleman is personally. It’s not import because I love his music not him – even if I sometimes wonder whose music is reaching my soul so impressively.