review
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Product Close-Up: Masters of Maple Black Ugly, Bell Brass, and Copper Snares (From the March 2014 Issue)
by Michael Dawson Founded by Southern California–based drum tech/builder Sahir Hanif in 2002, Masters of Maple began as a custom company that manufactured its own ply shells, with a special emphasis on exotic timbers. These days the company also offers…
Product Close-Up: Crescent Haptic Series Cymbals (From the March 2014 Issue)
by Michael Dawson Crescent’s new Haptic series was developed for world music artist Jamey Haddad, who wanted cymbals that he could play with his bare hands as well as with sticks. (See Haddad’s Setting Sights feature in the February 2014…
Product Close-Up: ddrum Paladin Walnut Speakeasy Drumset (From the February 2014 Issue)
by Michael Dawson When ddrum first arrived in the 1980s, it made only electronic drums and triggers and was owned by Clavia, the Swedish maker of Nord series keyboards and synthesizers. Ddrum was sold to Armadillo Enterprises—which also owns Dean…
Product Close-Up: Zildjian A Series Cymbals (From the February 2014 Issue)
by Michael Dawson When classic rock emerged in the 1960s, Zildjian’s American-made A series cymbals were right there with it, gracing now-classic recordings by Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Cream, and countless others with their sweet, bright tones.…
Robert Wyatt ’68
The tracks on this collection were recorded shortly after Wyatt’s band Soft Machine had broken up—temporarily, it would turn out—following a tour of the States with the Jimi Hendrix Experience. In fact, Wyatt worked on the tunes while staying at…
Kneebody The Line
In its sputtering rhythms and swirling melodies, Kneebody is a freely roaming polyglot touching on Live-Evil-era Miles Davis, Rudder (particularly the contemporary art-funk band’s drummer, Keith Carlock), the British prog band Gentle Giant, various aggregates of hip-hop, and jam-band hypnosis.…
Product Close-Up: TRX CRX Series Cymbals (From the January 2014 Issue)
by Michael Dawson The California-based TRX offers a full range of Turkish-made cymbals for the contemporary drummer. Earlier this year, the company launched a new collection of lower-cost B20 cymbals, which are made in China. This line, called CRX, comprises…
Rush Clockwork Angels Tour
DVD (2) or BLU-RAY LEVEL: ALL $24.98 Next year will mark Rush’s fortieth anniversary. Judging by the energy the band puts forth on its latest live release, another forty doesn’t seem out of the question. Okay, maybe another ten—the point…
The Drummer’s Bible by Mick Berryand Jason Gianni
BOOK/CDS (2) LEVEL: ALL $34.95 Recently updated by its coauthors to include nearly a hundred more reference grooves, this ambitious 200-plus-page tome continues to inspire, offering a variety of rhythmic concepts, from polka patterns to reggae beats to variations on…
Product Close-Up: Gretsch Renown RN1 Drumset (December 2013 Issue)
by Michael Dawson The Renown series was devised to offer working drummers a sturdy, tour-ready kit with all the classic Gretsch appointments (30-degree bearing edges, die-cast hoops, rock maple shells), for a more manageable price. This year, the company overhauled…
VIDEO! Product Close-Up: DW Collector’s Series Concrete and Thin Aluminum Snares (December 2013 Issue)
by Miguel Monroy DW is renowned for producing top-quality drums and hardware, and the company has had a consistent output of innovative ideas that meet the needs of the drumming community. The two DW Collector’s series snares we have for…
Gorden Campbell Secrets of the Working Drummer
DVD LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED $24.99 What makes a working drummer? Here, the top R&B player Gorden Campbell defines the gig in artistic and practical terms. Musically, he focuses on the importance of concepts like knowing song form and getting…
Paul Motian ECM
In the jazz world, where idiosyncrasy is embraced, Paul Motian is among the most idiosyncratic musicians. This box set is an ideal format to track the development of the drummer’s quirky, deeply personal compositional voice. Indeed, it’s a showcase for…
VIDEO! Product Close-Up: Gibraltar Lightning Rod Telescoping Single-Braced Hi-Hat Stand (November 2013 Issue)
by Miguel Monroy It’s the little things in life that make all the difference, and Gibraltar has made every effort to provide hardware that offers as much flexibility as possible. One of the latest additions to the company’s lineup is…
