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MIKE CLARK
drummer

1. Bill Bruford - Dig
Even though drummer Bill Bruford’s Simmons drum pads sound a bit dated today, Dig walks you through his quest to mix the experimentation of Jazz with the lurking potential of Rock- using electronic drums to expand the drum sound pallet into world percussion and “chordal” drums.

2. Pat Metheny - 80-81
The sax melody in the track Two Folk Songs hooks me in every time. Jack Dejohnette’s drumming is earthy and elusive.

3. Branford Marsalis - A Love Supreme
Branford and the boys’ live recreation of Coltrane’s A Love Supreme- I still can’t put down this CD/DVD. Jeff Watts infectious—bombastic, yet sweet-- inviting drumming sounds like the history of Jazz told by the late Elvin Jones.

4. Mike Clark & Paul Jackson - The Funk Stops Here
Mike Clark’s take on Samba—Jazz/Funk, influenced by David Garibaldi, is the funkiest/dirtiest incarnation of the style in my opinion.

5. Michel Camilo - Thru My Eyes
Love Michel Camilo’s Thru My Eyes… a great set of standards played Camilo style… featuring Horacio Hernandez on drums (awesome 12/8—4/4 Hybrid clave?!).