Friday, September 11, 2009

Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson



Questlove is one the greatest drummers today and a legend in the making. He has an uncanny and unique way of combining the new and the old, and is able to play the simplest 4 beat and the most complex break beat. Clearly influenced by classic jazz drummers such like Elvin, Philly Joe, Tony, and Max, it's obvious that he also takes alot of influence from R&B drummers like Clyde, Jabo, and Benny Benjamin. His feel is almost unmatchable. The grooves and beats that he lays down are second to none, and are so flawless and so solid that most people think they're listening to a programmed beat - a machine, a computer. That says it all. When a musician is so perfect in his playing and his sound that he can fool a listener in to questioning if he's human, that's a testament like nothing else. Something worth mentioning is Questlove's knowledge of a drum's sound. The quality of the tuning and sound coming from his drums gives him a distinct sound for each song, album, artist, and style. Not to diminish his masterful playing, but part of what gives him his own sound is his choice of drums and the quality of his tuning. Aside from drumming, he's a great producer and bandleader whose skills include singing, rapping, and some piano and bass. Questlove is the perfect example of everything an amazing drummer can and should be -- an outstanding musician.


"Whatever the average drummer is doing, I'm trying to do the exact opposite." - Questlove


ARTISTS - The Roots, Al Green, Erykah Badu, The Philadelphia Experiment, Erykah Badu, Common, Joshua Redman, Pharrell

Here's what's on the CD:

1. Put It In Your Pocket – Joshua Redman Elastic Band
2. Philadelphia Experiment – The Philadelphia Experiment
3. Ain’t It The Truth – The Philadelphia Experiment
4. Call For All Demons – The Philadelphia Experiment
5. The Seed (2.0) – The Roots
6. You Got Me – The Roots
7. Here I Come – The Roots
8. The Next Movement – The Roots
9. Mellow My Man – The Roots
10. Doin’ It Again – The Roots
11. Booty – Erykah Badu
12. Window Seat – Erykah Badu
13. The Light - Common
14. Definition – Black Star
15. Lay It Down – Al Green
16. You’ve Got the Love I Need – Al Green

Here's some other songs to check out that are good examples of Questo's versatility:
"Untitled (How Does It Feel)" - D'Angelo
"Playa Playa" - D'Angelo
"Chicken Grease" - D'Angelo
"Break You Off" - The Roots
"Rising Up" - The Roots
"Do You Want More?!!!??!" - The Roots
"What They Do" - The Roots
"Lle Lfe" - The Philadelphia Experiment
"Trouble Man Theme" - The Philadelphia Experiment
"No One Like You" - Al Green



VIDEOS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D671znPDOCU&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EOBI-SpdTA&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIVzt_vGyr8&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_6p6fbdxF4&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZh9Ngjg71E

http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Video-The-Roots-Public-Enemy-Bring-The-Noise-Live-on-Late-Night-with-Jimmy-Fallon.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgMiGqA6xtA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgMiGqA6xtA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s11XaUKsMU8



LINKS:
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Ahmir_Thompson.html

http://www.myspace.com/questlove

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Questlove


Questlove's Advice for Bands = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85tyZNiSyTk&feature=channel_page

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