Recreating James Brown's Famous "Funky Drummer" Drum Break | What's That Sound? EP 35

[@DavidKemp]

That fluffy bass drum beater was probably worth mentioning too.

[@mattbennett9467]

I think this is a really good reproduction. I've been fascinated by this beat and playing it for 20 yrs+. I find it quite memorising if not hypnotic to play if I'm honest. There are a few comments on here to say it's not 100% etc, but nothing ever is. Go through KZbin and try to find a better reproduction then. I think you'll struggle. Clyde Stubblefield played this at breakneck speed with perfect note alignment whilst maintaining a deft touch. Even he couldnt reproduce it later in life. Then there's the purpose of this video, the recording. The original captured a moment in time, in a specific room, with specific equipment. It's simply not possible to get it 100% over 50 years later with different variables. To me, this is a really good version and i thank you for your time.

[@cylonvoiceguy]

You're so right man, I saw that video where he "recreated it" and the rhythm was totally different. The original really is HYPNOTIC.

[@MrMaDJestyk]

If you're getting into breaks, you gotta do another legend: Amen Brother!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@rarianfields]

Amen!

[@rarianfields]

Brother!

[@HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

This is turning out to be a really educational series. Always great results and clearly explained. Thanks for doing these :)

[@imslicc]

i believe clyde stubblefield to be probably the most uncopiable drummer ever. no one can come close to his nuance shuffle feel and dynamics. Cold Sweat is also one crazy drum beat.

[@kennethtams-ys5gq]

My vintage snare drum collection is quite extensive. The Acrolite is my Allstar Go-to. Nice Work.

[@vaughnchauncy8360]

And I got the feelin and the popcorn and soul pride

[@robertmorgan8513]

No he goes crazy on there was a time live in Dallas TX I kills this tune better yet check out my documentary called gate city soul my dad played for JB meet him hundreds of times my dad was the drummer for that band called the electric express

[@vaughnchauncy8360]

Ok I will try to find the documentary abd electric express music too..My favorite JB drummer was Melvin Parker.Clyde was a baaad dude..I was a preteen when Cold Sweat came out,and there was a time and I can't stand it, Get it together.I first saw JB on Tami show when it first came out in 64..I was in grade school.but I just his work on I got the feelin is phenomenal the ghost notes and The popcorn instrumental his ghost notes sound like he is dragging a brush across the snare head.Jabo was great too..hey do you who the drummer is on Money won't change you by JB?

[@pauldaniel5119]

We questlove

[@blindbarista]

Would love to see/hear your take on the drums from Bloc Party's "Silent Alarm" album. "Like Eating Glass" and "Helicopter" would be my preference. So fast, so propulsive. Matt Tong's drumming is incredible on that album.

[@vanessathurlow68]

that would be amazing!

[@raf.raf.]

Oh hell yes, I second this suggestion!

[@Georgietoft]

yes please

[@imslicc]

wow seriously, he was like a tornado hitting the rock world, for a short period, and then disappeared.

[@sergerasklad]

true! Like Eating Glass - is my favourite example of "out of the box" drumming in indie rock. it's just a masterpiece

[@thesoulboy7976]

The ONLY thing you guys missed on this session was not using an 18” bass drum, instead of the 22” on here. Clyde used an 18” Ludwig and 5”x14” Supraphonic on the original, which was 3 microphones, all bused to one track, and going thru the EMT plate. This lick is INCREDIBLY difficult to nail, especially the hi-hat ghost notes, which Clyde played emphasizing the 8th note. Plus, he laid WAY back on the beat…remember, he was a Southerner, we always delay the two and four. ;) Great job, Jess!!

[@tvd1188]

There's also something to be said about putting your own stamp on the groove. No one is playing like Clyde but she does a great job on this. Anyone saying it sucks should back it up with a video of their own.

[@thesoulboy7976]

@@tvd1188 You are absolutely correct. She played it so very well. You have to have a very light touch and a stunning command of dynamics to make that particular groove sound good, and boy, did she nail it. To think that Clyde Stubblefield improvised this groove on the fly…unreal.

[@emotionwave]

Good knowledge 👍

[@customjohnny]

Really good breakdown, you guys did such a fantastic job! As you always do 🤙🏼

[@0e0]

I think the trick to all those drums was the chamber they had in the King studios in the Cincinati. they also rocked a plate.. and I know the engineers were told to use a lot of it.

[@djdrwatson]

Ain't it funky, a 1, 2, 3, 4 !!!!😃

[@mundainmonstre2372]

As always - thank you for the killer samples!

[@area51pictures]

Props to you guys at Reverb all around for taking on the ultimate challenge when it comes to recorded drum sounds (and drum PLAYING). Respect. Esp for the S/O to Stubblefield.

[@timcline2799]

Beautiful drumming. Excellent video, Thank you!

[@esahm373]

Thanks for showcasing the importance of mic'ing. As a mostly "in the box" producer I wasn't aware of the huge impact!

[@Stendekmusic]

Call me crazy, but it sounds like you guys nailed it with just the overhead. Plus, having the kick drum tuned like that totally makes this sound like Clyde. Would love to know more about your snare technique on this. It definitely has that funky tone nailed.

[@briankruesi6484]

Wow you sounded great. This beat is easy to play but not easy get just right. One of the best versions I have heard

[@Erdnase23]

Great job on playing it, as much as capturing it.

[@1mikeloz]

Todd Trainer’s drum sound in SHELLAC please!!

[@BeersAndBeatsPDX]

Spot on. Jessica nailed it.

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

That’s fantastic!

[@cylonvoiceguy]

If you want to hear the original solo studio isolated track, I have it on my channel. It's absolutely glorious; the song was probably recorded on a Scully 8-track. One day I'll upload the radio PSA's they recorded on the same tape reel, it's like being in the room with the band November 1969

[@mycroft174]

awesome video, what are the odds we can get a video on eddie hazels tone on the cover of I Want You (She's So Heavy)?

[@pedigreecutsblog]

love it. totally amazing video!

[@RobertTheBruce88]

Nailed that groove. 👌

[@The11oclockBluez]

"Let There Be Drums" by Sandy Nelson is one I'd really like to see in this series. I'm not studio, micing, mixing savvy so I don't know if it's easy to figure out for others, but I sure can't and I just know it sounds really cool.

[@AlansTV]

Don’t listen to the previous comments. Your groove is great! Thanks for the demonstration.

[@piggycity]

Liked how you tuned the snare

[@rarianfields]

Damn. Out of the park

[@piggycity]

Do the drums for “the revolution will not be televised” by Bernard “Pretty” Purdie

[@nilsfalth791]

Sweet, what preamps did you use for this? Guess they used tube back in the days!

[@vikramprincerai3519]

Recreating this iconic drumbreak is really hard, the replay on "Eminem - Detroit vs Everybody" is much closer than this version. Hope you can try again to get it sonicly closer. Anyway I love your channel 👍🏾

[@iLikeTheUDK]

If you release a sample pack to accompany this video prepare for DnB, jungle and breakcore artists to make up most of the traffic

[@tonedowne]

So what mics were feeding to the reverb?

[@roderickcumming4490]

How about the drums in Matthew Sweet's "Girlfriend"? There's a cool break in the song that highlights the really great lo-fi drums.

[@DWINC]

Well done!

[@kevinlentz7604]

Awesome job love it❤

[@MicsandMore]

pleaaaaaseeee do ty segall's manipulator drum sound! would be cool!

[@Globularmotif]

That Acrolite is SPOT ON!

[@hotbeatz0]

What about the plate reverb? So key to the sound.

[@melindakelley8979]

What pres were used on this and what pres were used on the original? Thanks!

[@Emperorjones]

Hmmm, a good start. Not quite there. I studied with Clyde as a punk kid and he would say “keep after it kid, come back when it grooves.”

[@samuelwiggins7248]

I’d love to hear a breakdown of 1612 by Vulfpeck

[@ChadMasonFilms]

It'd be great to see a vid covering the drum sound on Neil Young's Harvest record. The merest hint of the snare on "Out on the Weekend" is known to cure all ailments.

[@dokma_eu]

Hear The Drummer (Get Wicked). James Brown: Most Sampled Man in the Biz - a Rolling Stone article

[@vaughnchauncy8360]

Check out drum beat of Joe Simons' Moon Walk pt 1 & 2 the drummer is equally groovin on this plane throughout the entire cut..its powerful

[@WoodyPianoShack]

nailed it! great drumming. well done.

[@vanessathurlow68]

Amen Break next?

[@DynamicRockers]

@ArtOfDrumming did it, please check "The Amen Break | Recreating Iconic Drum Sounds", this video is awesome!

[@joermnyc]

That’s a really quick drum break if you listen to the original song.

[@DynamicRockers]

@@joermnyc they covered both the speed up sample like in drum and bass and the regular speed like the record with an acrolite snare.

[@ray_of_sunshine917]

I’d love for them to give Curtis Mayfield’s “Now You’re Gone” a try

[@PintsofGuinness]

do green days longview

[@adamweeks4258]

Please do a video deconstructing Ray LaMontenga’s God Willing and the Creek don’t rise.

[@Globularmotif]

I wonder if Clide had a wee toke beforehand....!! Maybe not, James Brown was a hard taskmaster!!

[@kevs8225]

Do Impeach the President next !

[@whitecatbones]

Jack White and Dead Weather pleaaaase

[@joermnyc]

How about sing U2? Larry has a very martial style, “Where the Streets Have No Name” has such a big venue sound in the other instruments, be cool to see how to mix the drums to keep up.

[@Globularmotif]

DO "METERMAN" BY THE METERS!! PLEASE!!!!

[@KimbleMcCann75]

Has anyone heard/seen a legit playing of FD on an electronic kit??

[@lukeomalley]

how about Gary Glitter - Rock and Roll (Pt 1&2) or any Tony Allen

[@ZOB4]

I have an issue with the snare tone - too much ring and tuned a hair higher than the original. Needs a smidgen more dampening

[@SwirlyWhirlyXYZ]

Tomorrow never knows

[@TheLordGoat]

Slightly incorrect, but def cool.

[@jeremybiggs8413]

‘Creating the sound’ did a much closer recreation which gets it near spot on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIvSmmRoitWBe68si=3QbW3TMwqPiUoj03

[@rarianfields]

Nah, this version is closer. The Creating the Sound snare has none of the tone Jess & Noam nailed, which along with the jazzy kick is key to this beat. This is by far the closest I've heard anyone come to it and I'm a nerd about this shit. The CtS one sounds good too though.

[@rashodlewis2918]

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

[@ET2carbon]

I don't trust this guy

[@johngorgis]

the open hat is too loud

[@xb5883]

Doesn't sound right at all

[@vaughnchauncy8360]

I think that amen break copied clydes groove

[@bishopoftroy]

You need to spend some more time with this groove. It feels robotic and you play it way behind the beat. Also, the open hats are on E`s and A`s. It`s not considered one of the hardest grooves to master for nothing.

[@jojomojo1413]

Definitely not how Clyde played it.

[@bishopoftroy]

@@jojomojo1413 it`s a fair try. Gets the job done.

[@xb5883]

Doesn't sound right at all

[@shugarbage]

This video series is about recording/mixing. Not playing

[@mattbennett9467]

This loop is taken from a 30 second drum break within the song. As such it is effectively from a solo section. CS was varying what he was playing, adding hi-hat barks as he did so. Most samples either take this bar where the hat openings are symmetrical, or another where the first opening is moved back to a bark on the 'a' of 2. Both are correct. Unless you can actually play this groove ( I've met many who THINK they can) you have no idea just how hard it is to make it groove. It's not just about hitting the notes (still not easy), that's just the first stage. All in all I think this is played really well.

[@muffinman4353]

Clyde played traditional grip..... Get it right.

[@rarianfields]

shhh

[@Elliott.Revell]

The last price of the puzzle is getting a drummer that can actually play the groove correctly without sounding like a robot.

[@RocknRollkat]

How many mics do you think were used on the original recordings ? VERY FEW. ....and that's what this 'new breed' doesn't understand. Bill P.

[@armystrong2727]

Ok how many turned are we gonna see this breakdown it’s getting old and everyone knows it’s a easy simple groove

[@sbretstacey]

I'll be interested in hearing your monumental drum break. Put your video up! Let's see what you got if its so easy. I cant wait to break your killer beat down! Lol!.

[@armystrong2727]

Don’t need to brotha I’ve played this over and over when I toured with a JB tribute band. Plus with my schedule I don’t have the time. And never said she was bad there’s just millions of this rhythm it’s just gets a lil boring that’s all

[@disconnexionsdotcom]

I'm no drummer, but I've listened to this drum break for almost 35 years now. You needed to make ot funkier. That third kick should be more off beat.