Old School New Sound - Drummerszone

Old School New Sound

CD 2004

Schoots Records

release notes

Liner notes by John Santos:
Martin Verdonk is not your average percussionist. As a matter of fact, there is no doubt that Martin is among the finest contemporary musicians not only in Europe, but in the world. Throughout our friendship of some 15 years, he has proven time after time that the insatiable quest to expand one�s experience and horizons is what separates good artists from great ones. Of course if you�re a percussionist, it helps to have an innate sense of rhythm and enormous creative capacity. Martin has all that and a bit more.

'Old School New Sound' is a perfect vehicle to demonstrate his humble understanding of understatement even as he provides a granite foundation in his role as rhythmic accompanist and �colorist� in a manner few other percussionists have mastered. Martin�s tasteful composing skills are also on display here, in the traditional sense of interesting danceable tunes, as well as the thoughtful way in which he develops the percussion arrangements, adding a subtle, often intangible gracefulness.

As a soloist, he always shines and brings the audience along his spontaneous journey where he will surprise you with his craft honed from countless extended solos performed at concerts and drum clinics all over Europe.

His experience is wide-ranging . . . intense study trips to Africa, Cuba, and his native Cura�ao, have yielded a fat comprehension of rhythmic traditions from Africa and the African diaspora which inform his sonic palette and rhythmic precision. Martin�s natural attraction to American Funk, Rock, and Soul music round out his musical tastes and gifts, resulting in a seasoned veteran with a long resum� of tours, performances, and recordings with some of Europe�s most popular artists such as Steve Winwood and Incognito.

When a musician of this caliber organizes a recording session, naturally he surrounds himself with a stellar crew as Martin has done here. The camaraderie and communication between the intercontinental team of colleagues is in plain evidence.
'Old School New Sound' is a reminder that there is nothing funkier than a forward-looking artist who�s been around the block a couple of times.

John Santos
Oakland, CA. Feb. 2004

Produced by Martin Verdonk
Recorded at Public Peace studios, Aldenhoven-Schleiden, Germany
by Martin Rohdich.
Percussion overdubs and trumpet recorded at Vanski studios, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, by Michel van Schie
Mixed and mastered by Michel van Schie at Vanski studios.

Cover photo by Rens Plaschek, Arnhem, The Netherlands

thanks to:
Pearl Drums
Pearl Percussion
Elixir strings
Double D guitars

Special thanks to:
Walfredo,Orestes,Paul,Kevin,Randal,Eric and Peter.
Adrian Maruszczyk,Marco Schoots, Martin Rohdich, Angela van Rijthoven, John van der Meulen, John Santos, Michel van Schie and Dick van Berkum

www.martinverdonk.com

'Old School New Sound' is Martin Verdonks tweede solo album. Het tien nummers tellende album is een aaneenschakeling van meesterlijke grooves en hoogstaande muzikaliteit van de gastmuzikanten die Verdonk bereid heeft gevonden aan het album mee te werken. Dit internationale gezelschap laat op 'Old School New Sound' een scala aan stijlen en vormen horen die stuk voor stuk New Sound klinken.

De CD is tevens een ingang voor slagwerkers die graag in dit genre actief willen zijn. Mede door de uitgebalanceerde en muzikale drumpartijen van Paul van Wageningen en Walfredo Reyes Jr. kan elke drummer hiermee aan de slag. Maar ook voor percussionisten moet 'Old School' wel een must-have zijn door de warme en wonderschone muzikaliteit van Martin Verdonk en Orestes Vilato. Stuk voor stuk staan deze grootmeesters garant voor subtiele slagwerkpartijen en muzikale invullingen.

Van Kokari Beach tot en met Santiago is 'Old School New Sound' swingend, warm, leerzaam, en voor elke slagwerker een must om deze CD in de collectie te hebben.
- Drummerszone.com

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