JOAN REGGAE DRUMMER

“Reggae is the musical genre which revolutionized Jamaican music. When it emerged in the late 1960s, it came as a cultural bombshell not only to Jamaica but the whole world. Its slow jerky rhythm, its militant and spiritual lyrics as well as the rebellious appearance of its singers, among others, have influenced musical genres, cultures and societies throughout the world, contributing to the development of new counterculture movements, especially in Europe, in the USA and Africa. Indeed, by the end of the 1960s, it participated in the birth of the skinhead movement in the UK. In the 1970s, it impacted on Western punk rock/ pop cultures, influencing artists like Eric Clapton and The Clash. During the same decade, it inspired the first rappers in the USA, giving rise to hip-hop culture. Finally, since the end of the 1970s, it has also influenced singers originating from Africa, the Ivorian singers Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly, and the South African Lucky Dube clearly illustrating this point.” Jérémie Kroubo Dagnini

From the beginning Reggae music has given us a handful of good artists, all of them backed by incredible drummers in their bands, to name a few that have influenced me the most, Carlton Barrett, Sly Dunbar, Lloyd Knibb, Carlton “Santa” Davis, Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, Style Scott…

The Art of Reggae Drumming may seem easy to the naked eye, but they have to be played with precision and be as tight as possible. While they’re essentially made up of recognisable patterns, the challenge lies in all the small details and variations that ultimately define the groove, in other words, vibes.

A Reggae drummer has a clear and important task: produce a repetitive, super-tight groove throughout the theme. Our partner in crime is the bassist and together we form the bedrock of the song.

Another important aspect to take into account when drumming Reggae, especially in the recording studio, is sound, what is it what defines whether a song is credible or not.