More for your songs.
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Laid-back pocket-style grooves inspired by folk, soul, blues, hip-hop and more.
| ADD TO CARTMixing elements from soul, blues and folk with with an edgy and behind-the-beat feel, this collection of drum MIDI delivers a batch of pocket-style grooves that’ll suit the acoustic songwriter just as much as the hip-hop beat maker. It was performed by drummer Skye Polson of two-time JUNO Award-winning Canadian group Digging Roots.
“I have a swampy, laid-back feel to my style and generally approach playing with pocket and groove in mind first and foremost. My background is mostly in the blues, so I do love to play a good shuffle as well,” Skye says.
Expect an eclectic mix of material that touches on a wealth of styles but converge in exactly those two fundamental components: pocket and groove. If you’re looking for a fresh take on some old-school grooves where vibe and mojo are front and center, this MIDI pack will be pure pocket power.
Works with EZdrummer, EZdrummer 2, EZdrummer 3, Superior Drummer 2 and Superior Drummer 3.
The content of this MIDI pack is unique and not the same as the MIDI that comes included with the Alchemy of Pop EZX or any other EZX/SDX..
Take us back to the very beginning. How did your interest in music first begin and how come you ended up behind a drum kit?
Both of my parents are musicians so, of course there would be plenty of great music in the house at all times. They noticed that I had an interest in rhythm and spent a lot of my time tapping on my thighs or making the start of beats on the dinner table. However, it was my grandfather who gave me the push I needed and got me some lessons when I was 12 at a local music school to get me started. I was hooked ever since!
Which drummers do you think helped shape your style growing up and learning the instrument?
This is a big question and I could probably name a few dozen greats, but I think my biggest influences were Carlton Barrett from Bob Marley and the Wailers, Questlove from The Roots, Jon Bonham of course from Zeppelin, Brian Blade, Steve Jordan and last but definitely not least, Paul Brennan. Paul was the previous drummer for Digging Roots and has played with many Canadian groups like The Odds and Big Sugar. I had the absolute pleasure of shadowing Paul for many years. He was always very generous with me in sharing his secrets and I learned the vast majority of my feel from watching him. Thanks, Paul.
To you, what defines a great drummer?
I think the greatest drummers always have a really great ear. Playing to the music without ego, serving the songs and the art. That to me defines a great drummer.
If you were to describe your style of drumming, how would you put it?
This is a tough one. I am still trying to find words to describe my playing everyday. I think this is because I am always trying to learn as much as I can. So, if I would put it to words right now it would probably sound something like laid-back, pocket groove, greasy drumming. Or something like that anyway.
What was your main aim with this collection of drum MIDI and what do you hope the users take away from it?
I went into this project to emulate some of the feels and sounds that I love hearing when I listen to a record. Those deep pockets that make your head nod. I really love hearing a fat snare sitting just behind the beat and some subtle texture and ghost underneath it all. I think the texture and feel of these grooves will help inspire the user to lay into some deep grooves.
Check out the Alchemy of Pop EZX, an absolutely sprawling expansion that he sampled together with JUNO Award-winning engineer/producer/mixer Hill Kourkoutis at the board. Pure pop gold!
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Our very own Rikk Currence gives you three reasons why your songs will thank you for using Toontrack drum MIDI.
This product is optimized for use with EZdrummer and Superior Drummer.