It's been a while since I brought out the samba drums and I recently bought a guica I have been wanting to try. Although I studied samba while at Portland State University and have played in a few baterias, I definitely do not consider myself to be an expert. Samba drumming is just fun no matter where you are in the learning process. I used to teach samba drumming in an after school program in Chicago, so I happen to have surdos, ago gos, repeniques, caixas, etc. It is a lot of fun to get them out and record a one man bateria.

Samba De Porāo

"D minor which is the saddest of all keys, I find. People weep instantly when they hear it, and I don't know why." - Nigel Tufnel

Blues For Nigel

I would never compare myself to the likes of Jobim, but this song kind of reminds me of the bossa nova/samba style that was popular in the 60s and 70s. As we move into the first summer without a global pandemic, there is much to be happy about (especially if you have endured another Michigan winter). As I was writing this song, it just kind of sounded happy and summery. Also, I'm always looking for a reason to play my guica.

Samba de Verão (Summer Samba)

John Coltrane's masterpiece album "A Love Supreme" changed my life. I was a less-than-mediocre drummer at the time I first heard it, but was on the phone with every drum teacher I could find the next day. I was totally mesmerized by the polyrhythms and explosive energy Elvin had. A few years before he passed away, I went to a show he was playing at the Jazz Alley in Seattle. Coincidentally, he walked up right behind me as I sat at my table. He put his gigantic hands on my shoulders and said "Hey, thanks for coming to my show". I was like a 15 year old girl at a Beatles concert. I am still working on emulating him when I am behind the kit.

Elvin

I literally wrote this song as a tribute to Tony Allen a few days before he passed away. His drumming had a massive influence on a lot of musicians, not just drummers. I have spent some time learning some of his grooves and used an adaptation of the beat he plays on Fela Kuti's "Zombie" for this song. RIP Tony Allen!

Mr. Allen

Nobody has done more to bring the cowbell to the forefront of music than Bruce Dickenson. His keen ear and perfect sense of timing are why he has produced so many gold records. He made us all realize that there is a lot more to playing the rock cowbell than quarter notes and not just anyone can do it. This song is a tribute to Mr. Dickenson and his innumerable contributions to the music and cowbell industries.

Mr. Dickenson

I discovered I could play this 5/8 rhythm with my left hand doing ghost notes and accents on my repenique. I also found a way to finally use my double kick pedal during the heavy parts. I recorded it and put some other instrumental tracks on top.  

The whole song is somewhat symbolic of the year 2020. The 5/8 part is kind of dark sounding while the montuno section is representative of what I hope will be a much better 2021. Interestingly, the 5/8 section ended up being an ascending chromatic progression while the montuno is a descending chromatic progression.

Dark Before Dawn

My songs might be able to tell the future. You never really see the flea flicker called very much. But I swear, the weekend after I wrote this song, there were multiple flea flickers in both college and pro football. Maybe I have both ESP and ESPN. It's like when I wrote that song about Tony Allen and then he died a few days later only not tragic. 

I don't know what this one reminds me of, but it reminds me of something. It is another one that I am hoping to have lyrics for someday. Anyway, it's a knee smacker!

Flea Flicker

I always wondered what it would sound like to mix bossa nova with hard rock. I thought it would be interesting to slowly replace the piano rhythm with amped guitar. This created a natural energy build that drops back into a more "traditional" sounding bossa nova. I guess like some of my other songs, it is kind of a metaphor for life, especially in the year 2020.

Big Bad Bossa

I programmed my Alesis Strikepad with the bass sounds and slaps I wanted to use for the bass. I wish I could actually play the bass like that, but that's some Bootsy level stuff. It was a lot of fun using it as a loop and then making an entire song out of it. 

According to my favorite sports announcer, Gus Johnson, Ohio State Running Back great JK Dobbins' dad used to tell him to "go get it and come back with it".  As a Buckeye, he did that a lot. As a Buckeye fan, I dedicate this song to his ability to go get TDs.

Go Get It (and Come Back With It)

Many years ago, one of my teachers showed me how to play a really cool shuffle beat that I have always wanted to do something with. It also gave me another chance to have some fun with my harmonica.

Might Just Be Ok

When I worked for the City of Chicago, my office was right across the street from the world famous DuSable High School. Eddie Harris was just one of many accomplished musicians who studied music with Captain Walter Dyett at DHS. Nat King Cole and Dinah Washington were also graduates of DHS. It was inspiring to be so close to that much history. Freedom Jazz Dance has always been one of my favorite songs. I don't know if I did it any justice, but here's my tribute to Eddie Harris.

Freedom Jazz Dance (Eddie Harris)

I've been hitting the skins for over 25 years. This adventure has taken me all over the U.S., has given me the chance to meet some really incredible people, and learn from some of the best musicians. What started as a fun thing to do with friends quickly became a passion after hearing Elvin Jones on John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme".  That was over 25 years ago and I am still learning! 

I have studied music in a variety of ways. I ended up with a B.A. in International Studies from Portland State University (PSU) and an M.A. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. However, I did get a minor in Jazz Studies from PSU. Ear training and theory certainly made me a much better drummer, but I learned the most from all the great teachers and experiences I had over the years. 

With International Studies, I was able to learn about how music (and art) has been used as a means of cultural preservation, promoting awareness, combatting oppression, and the fight for social justice. My focus area was Latin America, but I spent much of my time studying Brazilian culture and music. I studied samba drumming while in Portland and later, taught it in an after-school program in Chicago. 

All of the songs on this page were written and recorded by me at my house with a modest studio set up. I use Ableton Live 10, Shure SM57s/58, 8-Channel Scarlett Interface, and Rode NT5s. I have had my DW maple kit for about 20 years and use Iron Cobra hardware and pedals. Good stuff!

You can check out some of my old school drumming with the bands I have played with over the years on my other soundcloud page /bob-elchert.

Robert Elchert

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