NOTICE: this page is soon to be updated with links and notes on each recording. Please be patient and check back often.

I am a firm believer that listening is a vital part of music study in any discipline. And to think, we have the greatest teachers available to us at the click of a button or turn of a dial!

Quite often students of mine ask what recordings they should be listening to when studying a particular style of music. I'm also asked what recordings have inspired me and what I am currently listening to. Below is an abbreviated list that will hopefully turn you on to something new and get you started in building your own collection. Remember, this list does come from a drummers point of view.

(updated 3/28/08):

Most recently clogging my CD player (stuff worth checking out!):

• Pat Metheny Trio ~ Day Trip [purchase]

• Jackie McLean~ Action! [purchase]

• Abbilona - tambor Yoruba: Yemaya [purchase]

• Lily Allen ~ Alright, still [purchase]

Recent reading: Chasin' The Trane, JC Thomas [purchase]


• NOTE: the lists below are in no particular order and are merely recommendations. If you have something you think I should check out please let me know! If you have trouble finding some of these recordings (it can be difficult at times) let me know, perhaps I can help.

Enjoy and happy listening!

My Discography:

click on artist to be directed to their website if available

• CANTINERO: Better for the Metaphor (release date pending)

• MARASSA DUO: Marassa Duo (2005)

• PIONEROS del RITMO: Crossing Borders vol 1: Live from the Carriage House (2005)

• PASO FINO : Into the Cactus Plain (I-Town Records, 2004)

• I-Town Records Compilation Volume 3 - Paso Fino (I-Town Records, 2004)

• FIVE HORSE JOHNSON: Double Down (Small Stone Records, 1997)

• Full Blast Soundtrack - Five Horse Johnson (Small Stone Records, 1997)

• FIVE HORSE JOHNSON: Blues For Henry (Sin Klub Records, 1996)

• ROBERT HOHNER PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE: World Music Tour (DMP Records, 1996)

• Central Michigan University Percussion Ensemble : The Percussion Music of David Maslanka (Albany Records, 1996)

• ROBERT HOHNER PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE: Different Strokes (DMP Records, 1991)

• plus countless other demos and live concert recordings

Sacred ~

Sacred ~

• John Amira, The Music of Santeriá: The Oru del Igbodu (White Cliffs Media, WCM 9346)
• Afro Tambores Batá, Lucumi with Hiraldo Rodrigez
• Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, Música Yuroba (Bembé Records, CD 2010-2)
• Grupo AfroCuba de Matanzas, Rituales AfroCubanos (Egrem, CD 0058)
• Grupo Oba-Ilu, Santeriá: Songs for the Orishas (Soul Jazz, LP38)
• Lázaro Ros, Olorún (Xenophile, GLCD 4022)
• Abbilona, Tambor Yoruba - 8 CD set (O.K. Records)

* highly recommended compilations
• CUBA: I Am Time (Blue Jackel, BJAC 5010-2)
• AFRO-CUBA: A Musical Anthology (Rounder, CD 1088)

Secular ~

• Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Live in New York (Qbadisc, QB 9026)
• Mongo Santamaria, Our Man in Havana (Fantasy, FCD 24729-2)
• MARACA, Tremenda Rumba! (Ahi-Nama, AHI 1034)
• Eliades Ochoa, Tribute to the Cuarteto Patria (Higher Octave World/ Virgin)
• Compay Segundo, Lo Mejor de la Vida
• Celia Cruz, La Tierna,Conmovedora, Bamboleadora (Seeco, LP 9246)
• Son 14 with Alberto Álvarez, Tumi Cuba Classics Vol 4: Son, The Big Sound (Tumi, CD053)
• Los VanVan, Songo (Island, 102-35178)
• Sintesis, Ancestros (Qbadisc, QB9001)
• Tito Puente, Top Percussion (BMG, BL2 3264)
• Willie Rosario , The Salsa Machine (Universal, B0002735-02)


* highly recommended compilations
• GUAGUANCO: Conjunto Guaguanco Matancero & Papin Y Sus Rumberos (Antilla, CD-565)
• RHYTHM & SMOKE: The Cuba Sessions (intersound, 9542)
• CUBA Fully Charged (Earthworks, Carol 2429-2)
• SALSA CUBANA: The Gold Collection (Fine Tune, 2213-2)

Traditional West African ~

• Duro Ladipo National Theatre, Oba Koso (Kaleidophone Records, KS 2201)
• Ayanagalu, Sacred Yoruba Batá Music (Rakumi Arts, 2001)
• Drums of the Yoruba of Nigeria (Ethnic Folkways, FE4441)
• Mamady Keita , Mögöbalu (TamTam, fmd 205)
• Les Tambours De Gorée Sénégal, The Drums of Gorée (Playa Sound, PS 65104)

African pop/ high life/ afro-jazz ~

• King Sunny Ade, Odú (Atlantic, 92796-2)
• Ali Farka Toure, The River (Mango, 162 539 897-2)
• CK Mann & His Carousel 7, Funky Highlife (Essiebons Records)
• Mzikayifani Buthelezi, Fashion Maswedi
• Manu Dibango , The Very Best of Manu Dibango
• Orchestra Baobab , Pirates Choice
• Afrika Underground: Jazz, Funk, and Fusion Under Apartheid (Counter Point, crcd015)
• Afro-Rock: A Collection of Rare and Unreleased Afro-Beat... (Kona, CD001)

Traditional Brazilian ~

• Conjunto Folklorico da Bahia, Viva Bahia! vol 1&2 (Philips Records, P 632.923 L)
• Luciano Perrone e Seus Ritmistas Brasileiros, Batucada Fantastica (Parnaso Records, PLPS1194)
• Escola De Samba Da Cidade, Batucada No. 3 (Philips Records, 6482 002)
• Afro-Brazilian Religious Songs: Cantigas de Candomblé/ Candomblé Songs (Lyrichord,LLST7315)
• Black Orpheus: Original Soundtrack (Verve, 830 783-2)

other recommended "World" music ~

• BOMBA!:Music of the Caribbean (Monitor, MCD 61355)
• Drums of Defiance:Maroon Music from Jamaica (Smithsonian Folkways,SFCD 40412)
• The Spirit of Traditional African Gospel (EUCD 1422)
• Zimbabwe: The Soul of Mbira (Nonesuch, H-72054)
• Traditional Music of the Incas: Flute and Indian Music from Ecuador, Peru, & Bolivia (Legacy, CD 416)
• Cajun Dance Party: Fais Do-Do (Legacy, CK 46784)
• Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys: Trace of Time (Rounder, 6053)
• Fourth World : Fourth World (B&W Music, BW030)
• Rabih Abou-Khalil: Al-Jadida (Enja, 6090-2)
• YIM HOK-MAN: Master of Chinese Percussion II (Marco Polo, 8.225950)
• Muzik Tarian Melayu Tradisional: Traditional Malay Dance Music (Muzika, ME 786-8CD)
• Music of India: Three Ragas (Angel Records, 35468)

some "pop World" music worth checking out ~

• Mano Negro, Casa Babylon (EMI International)
• Kaizers Orchestra, Ompa Til Du Dor
• Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Vasos Vacios (Sony International)
• Kinky, Kinky (Netwerk)

• Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, Different Strokes (DMP Records, CD-485)
• Central Michigan University Percussion Ensemble : The Percussion Music of David Maslanka (Albany Records, Troy 190)
• Kroumata, Kroumata Percussion Ensemble
• Equilibrium, Border Crossing
• Nexus, Ragtime Concert

Some other chamber music worth noting ~

• Steve Reich , Drumming (Nonesuch)
• Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, Summer Evening: Works by Kodály and Suk (Deutsche Grammophone)
• Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, Points of Departure (Deutsche Grammophone)
• Kronos Quartet, Black Angels (Nonesuch)
• Philip Glass, Glassworks (CBS)
• Turtle Island String Quartet, Turtle Island String Quartet (Windham Hill)
• Pablo Casals, Bach: Suites for Cello (EMI)
• Franz Liszt , Les Préludes (Seraphim)
• Cirque Du Soleil, Varekai (RCA)
• Terry Bozzio and the Metropole Orkest, Chamber Works (NPS)

• Miles Davis, Kind of Blue (Columbia, CK 40579)
• Clifford Brown and Max Roach, Clifford Brown and Max Roach (Verve, 314 543 306-2)
• Dave Brubeck Quartet, Time Out (Columbia, CK 40585)
• John Coltrane, Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings (Impulse, IMPD4-232)
• Chick Corea, Three Quartets (Stretch, SCD 9002-2)
• Bill Evans Trio, Montreux II 1970 (CTI 6004)
• Chucho Valdés, Briyumba Palo Congo (Blue Note)
• Steps Ahead, Steps Ahead (Elektra, 7559-60168-2)
• Buddy Rich Big Band, Mercy Mercy (Pacific Jazz, CDP 554331)
• Ahmad Jamal, Live at the Pershing (Uni/ Chess)
• McCoy Tyner, The Real McCoy (Blue Note, 7243 4 97807 2 9)
• Oliver Nelson, Blues and the Abstract Truth (MCA/ Impulse, MCAD-5659)
• Pat Metheny, Trio 99-00 (Warner Bros, 9 47632-2)
• Wynton Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis (CBS, CK 37574)
• Charles Mingus, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (Impulse, IMPD-174)
• Stan Kenton, Plays Chicago (Creative World, STD 1072)
• Paul Wertico Trio, Don't Be Scared Anymore (Premonition)
• Eric Dolphy, Out To Lunch (Blue Note)

Selected Discography: "Latin Jazz"

• Cal Tjader, Black Orchid (Fantasy, FCD-24730-2)
• Cal Tjader, Soul Burst (Verve, 314 557 446-2)
• Mongo Santamaria, Our Man In Havana (Fantasy,FCD-24729-2)
• Mongo Santamaria, AfroRoots (Prestige, PRCD-24018)
• Mario Bauza, Afro-Cuban Jazz (Caiman, CLP 9017)
• Dizzy Gillespie y Machito, Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods (Pablo)
• Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Manteca (Verve, POCJ-2772)
• Irakere, Live: Newport Jazz Festival 1978
•Tito Puent , Top Percussion (RCA, BL2 3264)
•Cachao, Master Sessions, vol 1 (Crescent Moon/ Epic, EK 64320)
• Poncho Sanchez, Baila Mi Gente (Concord Picante CCD-4701)

• James Brown, Star Time - 4 CD set (Polygram)
• Aretha Franklin , The Best of Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)
• Stevie Wonder, Inner Visions (Motown)
• Tower of Power, Tower of Power (Warner Bros)
• Al Green, 14 Greatest Hits (Motown)
• P-Funk All Stars, Live at the Beverly Theater (Westbound)
• D'Angelo, Brown Sugar (EMI)
• Chaka Khan , Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan Vol. 1 (Reprise)
• The Temptations, Anthology (Motown)
• Prince, Prince and the New Power Generation (Warner Bros)
• Tweet, Southern Hummingbird (Elektra)
• Nelly, Country Grammer (Universal)
• Missy Elliott, So Addictive (Elektra)
• Outkast, Speakerboxx/ The Love Below (La Face)
• A Tribe Called Quest, The Anthology (Jive)
• India.Arie, Acoustic Soul (Motown)
• Beastie Boys, Check Your Head (Capitol)
• Various Artists, TEXAS FUNK 1968-1973 (Jazzman)

and on a lighter R&B side~

• US3, Hand the Torch (Blue Note)
• Dionne Farris, Wild Seed-Wild Flower (Columbia)
• Luscious Jackson, Electric Honey (Capitol)
• St. Germain, Tourist (Blue Note)
• B-Tribe, Fiesta Fatal! (Atlantic)
• Swing Out Sister, Get In Touch With Yourself (Mercury)
• Fun Lovin' Criminals, Come Find Yourself (EMI)
• Lamb, What Sound (Koch)
• G-Love and Special Sauce, G-Love and Special Sauce (EMI)
• Sade, Promise (Portrait)
• Cibo Matto, Stereo Type A (Warner Bros)
• Tricky, Maxinquaye (Polygram)

• ANY Zeppelin

• Steely Dan, Aja (MCA)
• Gino Vannelli , Brother to Brother (A&M)
• Peter Gabriel, So (Geffen)
• Toto, IV (Warner Bros)
• Missing Persons, Spring Session M (Capitol)
• Sting, Ten Summoners Tales (A&M)
• Jimi Hendrix Experience, Radio One (Warner Brothers)
• Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends (Manticore)
• The Who , Join Together (MCA)
• ZZ Top, First Album (Warner Brothers)
• Santana, Sacred Fire: Live in South America (Polydor)
• Deep Purple, The Very Best Of (Rhino)
• King Crimson, Discipline (Warner Brothers)
• Elvis, Live in Las Vegas (RCA)

Suggested Zappa~ Any and All!

• You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, volumes 1-6
• Hot Rats
• Joe's Garage
• Apostrophe/ Overnight Sensation
• Guitar
• The Yellow Shark: Ensemble Modern

• Tool, Aenema, Lateralus & 10,000 Days (Zoo)
• Queens of the Stone Age, Songs for the Deaf (LooseGroove)
• SoundGarden, Bad Motor Finger (A&M)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Warner Bros)
• Janes Addiction, Nothing's Shocking (Warner Brothers)
• Primus, Sailing the Seas of Cheese (Interscope)
• Van Halen, Fair Warning (Warner Brothers)
• Mr. Bungle , Mr. Bungle (Warner Brothers)
• AC/DC, Let There Be Rock & Back In Black (Atlantic, Sony)
• Nirvana, Nevermind (Geffen)
• Ozzy Osbourne, Blizzard of Ozz (Epic)
• Iron Maiden, Killers (Capitol)
• Clutch, Robot Hive/ Exodus (Columbia)
• KYUSS, Welcome to Sky Valley (Warner Brothers)
• Raging Slab, Dynamite Monster Boogie Concert (Def Jam)