by Terry Branam Contemporary drumming giant Antonio Sanchez’s The Meridian Suite takes the listener on a spectacular journey through a nearly hour-long composition that’s divided into five parts. This epic long-form piece features some of Sanchez’s most refined yet most adventurous playing to date. In this article we’ll put some of the many exciting moments from the album under the microscope and take a close look at the masterful drumming. “Grids and Patterns” The aptly titled “Grids and Patterns” starts with an angular 5/8 piano intro that leads into syncopated ensemble figures. Sanchez sets it all up with some well-placed fills. (0:11) This transitions to a quarter-note override pattern with the hi-hats opening and closing as the 5/8 beat is established with the kick and snare. Antonio catches the band figures in a way that doesn’t interrupt the flow of the groove. (0:32) “Imaginary Lines” Sanchez’s lyrical approach to this […]

August 2015 Issue