NATE SMITH: "SKIP STEP" ft. Lionel Loueke + Michael League

featuring:
Lionel Loueke on guitar, Michael League on bass, and Nate Smith on drums.
recorded live July 2, 2023 at Gesu Music Hall, Montreal CA
shot by Remi Hermoso at Studio Fast Forward
edited by Tyler Scheerschmidt for @HourglassSessions
“Skip Step” composed by Nate Smith
you can view Lionel's KZbin channel here
@LionelLouekeMusic
produced by Nate Smith for Waterbaby Music, Inc.

[@natesmithdrumsofficial]

Thanks for watching everyone! Much more to come 🙏🏾 SUBSCRIBE HERE -> www.youtube.com/@natesmithdrumsofficial?sub_confirmation=1 😊

[@Billiewill]

1

[@HourglassSessions]

Had the pleasure of editing this video, so I've listened to this track countless times. Still can't get enough of it, well done Nate!

[@xeropulse5745]

Great job with the editing as well by the way! I love doing work for jazz artists in general, it gives you so much room to play around with the cuts, I can't imagine how fun it must have been to work with artists of this calibre!

[@HourglassSessions]

@@xeropulse5745 thanks! the opening drum solo was a treasure trove lol

[@chali8762]

🧠🔥 my mind is breaking right now listening to it

[@Multimol7]

How did you get that gig?

[@xeropulse5745]

@@HourglassSessions Absolutely! I had to pause it and go back so my partner could hear it too! It's beautiful!!

[@JarKaze]

this is the dream team we're gonna need more of this trio man 😭😭

[@cooldebt]

Agree 100%

[@PFA...]

Whenever Nate Smith asks on social media "Who should I do a show with?", I always have said Lionel Loueke and 'some bassist". I have been proven correct. I hope these guys get along and keep playing together for a decade.

[@InnerDaze]

I was there and I agree. I've been to about 100 shows in my life. This was top 5😀. Whish they had played for hours. I hope more videos come out of this because this was stellar.

[@partysnax1984]

The bassist’s face every time Nate stretches those beats into syncopation purgatory is cracking me up 😂

[@sandenson]

Welcome to the Michael League experience lol

[@topofthemornintoya]

Syncopurgatory

[@gregola1]

Yes, Mike League eats this stuff for breakfast. He's enjoying every second of it. That face is just pure into it-ness.

[@jedwing]

The stank face.

[@scatmando]

He’s has a cool bass face. His playing and feel is top notch. I hear you though, I have a chuckle myself at him but he’s like that on most gigs. Infectious 👍🏼

[@joshhernandez2292]

Loving this synth guitar / bass version of this song. More Nate + Michael League please 🙏

[@ChuckSilva]

Do you know what synth he’s using to get that sound? ❤

[@jacobbass5276]

@@ChuckSilva I am also curious! The vibrato tone he has on the melody around 3:00 is sweet

[@borgesguerardi]

@@jacobbass5276 league has been known for using an mxr octaver deluxe, although i don't know if it's the case in this instance. It's a combination of some sort of octaver pedal plus an envelope filter, hope someone can enlighten us on his exact setup

[@jacobbass5276]

I think you’re right! I actually was wondering what the effects were for the guitar

[@joshhernandez2292]

@@jacobbass5276 I’m pretty sure Lionel is only using a Kemper so probably the built in fx. I’ve gotten similar sounds with my HX Stomp.

[@paulcochran7007]

Love when he's talking at the end and casually still playing something fairly complicated

[@lee399]

1:26 - 1:47 Nate with the "Sucker MCs" quote/motif! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@djanoglymusic]

was literally just looking to see if anyone else noticed !!

[@fabianvanderelst9643]

Holy shit, that's awesome! Didn't know the song, thanks!

[@sushigimme]

Bro, this is one heck of a crossover with Nate and Michael. Imagine if he got featured on a Snarky Puppy album in the future.

[@Vasavant]

And sit Larnell out? That’s a tough call 😅

[@realatomizer]

Imagine being addicted to a song and every version gives a different high......

[@isaaccologne]

Yes agreed

[@bluessssss]

wow que interesante tienes razón men...ufff

[@jonathanbaker2789]

Michael League will be a low key jazz legend.

[@f.t2542]

Everyone coming back together at 4:20 and it's so dope

[@7c2d]

I saw Lionel play with Herbie Hancock in London last week. What an absolute delight. His solos and improv skills are unlike anything I’ve heard. Such a creative player

[@AndyNicholson]

Respect to the one guy in the audience who didn't give a shit and got his groove on

[@cooldebt]

LOL, scrolling and looked up when I saw your comment just in time to see the guy grooving! Timing!

[@dbass_minister]

Mann!!!!! This trio!!!! 🔥🔥And Lionel Loueke on Guitar representing Bénin 🇧🇯 so well

[@richardwilliam6660]

Nate, He Da Man.

[@dpclerks09]

Dude, I LOVE how Nate does his banter while keeping the backbeat going, reminds me of when I first watched videos of Bernard Purdie teaching and speaking in-time while keeping the groove going. Never gets old for me!

[@cpizz99]

Except that Nate does in 17/8

[@amoswaranch1102]

this is the best new jazz tune written in the last decade man nate smith is a living legend

[@isaaccologne]

This was absolutely nasty. I literally stayed staring at my phone once the video ended. And rewatched once I came back to consciousness. I’ll be coming to this video often. Thank you.

[@JoyDrummer2]

I love the guy standing and dancing at 4:45

[@N3V2-Nevto]

shout out to the one man who stood up 6:22 definitely feeling it right there!

[@cameronshanken3748]

Michael league has so much space on stage. It’s weird. I’m here for it.

[@andreadaniel8792]

This is absolutely wonderful! How could the audience just sit there? I so appreciated that one guy who stood throughout the performance. He is me. 😂 I wouldn’t have been able to just stay in my seat.

[@InnerDaze]

Hi Andrea. Audiences are very still and quiet in Montreal but quite loud between songs LOL. It was an amazing performance. 😀

[@andrewtregoning]

dead crowd, insane people lol

[@nts4906]

4:50 in the background one guy is dancing 🤣

[@ruminates]

That one guy dancing!!! ❤

[@InnerDaze]

@@andrewtregoning I love dancing clowns LOL

[@arnaudnoar3345]

More than other drum players, when I hear you playing, it's like I was hearing you talking. That's why I play and hear music instead of talking to say nothing. Thank you Nate.

[@simonalmindpedersen8296]

Man, the guy at 4:45 who just has to stand up when everyone is sitting, because it is too groovy.. -I can relate. This is out of this world

[@josces]

Oh, man... Skip Step yet again! A masterpiece reimagined with monster players! SOO GOOOOD!!

[@FreeTimeFeats]

Skip step was my introduction to nate... And wow this absolutely blows me away all over again!

[@deloaded]

This was absolutely insane! Love seeing Michael's reactions to Nate's fills, his facial expression says it all!

[@waffleadvocate]

Dang! I love how there are no two exact versions of Skip Step. Every time I've seen it played, it's different! What an epic trio!

[@PDexters]

I'm crying! What was that? I've always liked this song, but this version is absolutely insane! WOW🤯🤯🤯

[@308atalay]

the skip step groove always brings out the best of nate smith

[@dominikn19]

I can't believe what I just heard. This is a match made in heaven. So glad I got to meet y'all through the course of the last year or so. I loved to see that the 3 of you are just as wonderful as a human being as you are as a musician. Nate, Lionel & Michael, you're always gonna be my heroes!

[@UneSaisonAuxAbeilles]

Show us the full show, pleeeeaaaaaase ! Thank you Nate, you're the best

[@EXTRA300s]

One of my favorite drummers ever... Always's good for a second "repeat" and even that third time big eyes again. How Nate...?.Nate a great, beautiful drummer.

[@jonasstone1520]

By the look on Michael's face you can tell it's really a pleasure working/playing with Nate.

[@leorubio5653]

Ive been a Deep Lover of Music in general my whole life and play percussion. Music is part of my entire day every day and 4:54 in and this has truly blown me away and also a bit embarrassed that I had not found you sooner. I know Michael from Snarky and also discovered the ridiculously talented Lionel right now also. This gave me goosebumps brother! You and we the viewers/listeners are so blessed! :)

[@AmalieL323]

Супер супер супер супер😊🤓🔥👍💪🤟🙏

[@biswas01]

Jesus Lord, Nate Smith rabbit hole activated!

[@uubuuh]

😂same

[@isaaccologne]

Need this version on all streaming platforms asap 🙏🏾

[@billstrohler]

I don't know how much effort or the cost to release a live album is but I would buy this the day it came out.

[@InnerDaze]

I was there and an album would be mind blowing. Every song was stellar!

[@c3N3q]

That was pretty awesome 😳 Thank goodness the footage of the full concert will follow !

[@familytreemusic]

i really hope so.

[@aristotepham-ba5344]

That one man standing in the crowd

[@lukesnyder5637]

Just an unbelievable amount of talent on that stage, tastefully and ever so musically displayed. Absolutely incredible.

[@natanielllll]

yeahhhhh sir

[@user-vw5ju9oy4m]

🔥🔥🔥🔥 One of the few odd meter songs that I enjoy listening to!!

[@turcmic]

I was there. I was amazed. I’m still amazed. Thanks for sharing a « man you had to be there » moment!

[@stmonroe]

did that guy in the audience stand up the whole time?

[@turcmic]

@@stmonroe ha! No. I was too busy keeping my jaw on my face 😁

[@BARMETOXx123]

4/4 and 9/8. 4/4 9/8

[@percyvolnar8010]

1:24 Old Skool grandmaster flash era rap beat. Amazing!

[@ropeadope99]

ah.. great ears

[@percyvolnar8010]

@@ropeadope99 indeed, my friend. Glad you noticed it too!

[@SteveFullerBikes]

Lionel Loueke channelling Cory Henry in that section... man, this all SO DAMN GOOD!

[@Bowe_Music]

I'm surprised this didn't explode the universe

[@8020drummer]

If my theory that smack stack and snare simultaneously on the backbeat (instead of just stack) costs extra, Nate must've been paid handsomely for this gig.

[@littledrummaboi123]

Some really cool ideas and colors before the rest of the group even comes in! I remember seeing Lionel with Herbie Hancock way back when and I was mesmerized with some of the loops that he was working with. Amazing musicianship!

[@LiamBarnwell]

Nate Smith & Michael League 🔥What a collab

[@OkImJustCommenting]

Level 1000 "stank face" was initiated as a result of this groove master.

[@gnargnargnar]

Holy hell.

[@kunaljoshi630]

Just saw this (but I'm saving it to savor at the end of the day). Thank you, Nate :)

[@Nic______]

I love Nate smith, what skill and taste

[@tylergorham7301]

Goodness gracious.

[@mesrop6622]

Cool 🔥

[@o_caeden]

Caught me skippin 🦵

[@juanlee0413]

You can't go wrong with Nate

[@tomhealey560]

Think they were in the woods at some points, glad to see them out toward the end!! That's what makes for an authentic musical experience, chaos and order in one bite. Incredible musicians.

[@PFA...]

what a band gawd dang! I SAID GAWD DANG!

[@GrooveJuggernaut]

one of the most incredible performances i've ever seen!

[@barrybjerke9353]

...Nate all day, I thoroughly enjoyed this!

[@SeanFenlon]

Bravo guys -- exceptional performance. MInd-altering solo by Lionel. Nate and Lionel -- maybe you guys can come back to Miami for Michael League's GroundUP Music Festival (that you guys both know well) and reproduce this excellent performance. Mike, the bass tone is wonderful -- reminds me of The Curtain from Sylva 😎

[@chebetodrums]

Imposible no cabecear

[@CRD82]

It won´t get any tighter than this

[@MacTeee]

My favourite drummer on the planet right now...

[@Ragubibou]

Such a dream team

[@chatbass2468]

daaannnggg...

[@jorgelopez9620]

BEAUT

[@cooldebt]

Brilliantly crafted and what a trio!

[@sungjindrums]

I totally feel the one guy standing up!

[@gregmoore2875]

More of this trip please‼️ remarkable

[@djcoolcliff]

Yes sir brother Nate!!! This Cliff from RVA player!!!!!!!

[@manueliglesias1210]

YES!

[@seeafish]

Pretty much the only word that came to mind when I saw this.

[@Vincentrohr]

nate + lionel. amazing!!!

[@FranciscoHernandez-Music]

I’ve been mentally dissecting Nate’s solo in the beginning and I learned an invaluable lesson in soloing - Nate was singing the bass-line in his head long before Cory came in. Wild how the first few listens of this you’d think his solo is organized chaos - but, it’s all groove. “Drummer of the Year” is an understatement.

[@gizmonti]

My Man, go git it Nate!!!

[@pluckmymuck]

this song gets better every time I listen to it!

[@DavidNerattini]

The "Sucker Mc's" groove in the intro killed me... 😄 Nate, " si gruoss'" (like they say in Naples).

[@Lahorca]

Probably best version so far

[@fheering]

What a ride! First class ticket to groove land!

[@BassByTheBay]

Nate, I don't know you, but I love you 😁. Your drumming never fails to put a big smile on my face.

[@ApCommunityRock]

!! Rock n Roll video my friend good job :D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hadenbaillie1833]

What is this?!!!..my favorite drummer and bass player collabing?..is this a dream,more please ❤

[@neoillogic]

props to that one dude vibing in the crowd!

[@jerodbosh7630]

Rimshot Maniac!!!! Fast and silky smooth..... delicious bro

[@marks7192]

this is frightening........ly amazing. a trio of monstahz

[@petra.renaissense]

That tiny little change in rhythm at 3:35 was insanely pleasing

[@dsdm407]

Q U A L I T Y

[@thatgamer102]

2:47 That sync with Michael League is insane!!!

[@oooanickel]

Gooooooodness gracious this is all kinds of insanity. ...in the *best* possible way. I don't know how you can count that business, I can "feel" it in my head/body and follow the leader. ...but to track that count consistently without dropping a beat for almost 8 minutes?? Just... bravo to you sirs, this is *fantastic.*

[@marceloseghese]

AMAZING NATE, THE BEST DRUMMER

[@isaacvandoren4733]

Let’s go!!

[@keithkenyon3845]

i need to hear the rest of this show. this is one of the best trios i've ever heard. this was stellar!!!!! MOARPLEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MichaelLupescu]

ridiculously sick performance! holy duck!!

[@Chrizzletrizz]

WOAH!! Thanks for sharing :D

[@trevingaffney9187]

Wow

[@olivierjobin4250]

Amazing performance. very happy to have attended the show and finally see the master in person. Well done for the editing