Africa. Music. Robin Williams.

I enjoy African hand drums as much as guitar and bass. I go like a motor for a long time. Something happens when I’m into it. Feels like getting poison out.

Let’s pan the djembe this time..

I find myself here at 3 am on a beautiful and hot Sunday morning working on Les Paul chops for an instrumental jam. It has a heavy Africa influence like everything coming out of me right now. Hell, it comes out of a lot of us musicians. Most folks just don’t know it.

70’s AfroRock has changed my whole deal. I’m glad. The lingo is changing. Effects are changing. Harmonies are changing. Rhythm is drastically changing. Protest is in the lyrics. It’s a defiant dance. I’m all about it. It’s real-deal living with a pulse.

This pic makes me feel like I am missing out on good music with African vibes. That is all I want to hear lately.

There’s magic in the rhythms of Africa.

Since I’ve been playing djembe every day, my rhythm has changed inside. A trap set in a song often hits on a beat in every measure, making a metronome sensation over here in popular music. In 70’s AfroRock there’s flowing rhythms of folks working together for the beat. It’s antifascist in lyrics, also antifascist in rhythm. There’s freedom and beauty, working together. Fascists hate that sh*t. Makes sense, I mean.. Africa.

The courtyard scene in Dead Poet’s Society. Not my favorite movie as an adult. However, this particular scene made a lightbulb go off. So, whatever’s clever.

Africa Poets’ Society

There’s a scene in an old movie called “Dead Poets’ Society” where Robin Williams instructs his class to make their own walk. Kids are walking goofy in a courtyard. Now, as an adult, not my favorite movie at all. It’s largely about privilege. However, as a kid, Robin Williams hit me upside the head with the notion that I didn’t have to be like everyone. I had to be me.

I ended up in a boarding school for the first year of high-school largely because of that movie. When I applied, wanted to go more than anything, and got in. Scholarship. That meant I had to wash cars to earn my keep. Movies are powerful. I’m not sure anyone at Subiaco Academy had seen Dead Poets though. They seemed to know nothing of the plot up there in Arkansas. Mistakes were made that indicated they were clueless about what they actually taught kids. Glad that’s over. But I did pick up a fascination for exotic locations like Guatemala, and Africa.

Fela Kuti on youtube is a search worth doing. The rhythms, the grit, the heart, the humanity. Just beautiful. Africa

I’m exploring music from Africa today, ta-ta.

I’m glad to be into music from Africa at the moment. YouTube is freaking out about what it thinks I want to watch. Nice feeling. I love discovery. I love the mindset. It’s doing something for myself but it might open up adventure for few folks too. Not a bad gig, exploring.

I’m exploring again this morning. I have djembe and fretless bass. Getting the Les Paul out. Might do some other stuff too. Feel lucky today. This is something I get to do. It’s not a burden. It’s what I want. In the exploring mood. It’s because of Africa and Robin Williams. It’s also because of me.

Keep in touch.

Return to home.

If you are into music production and you haven’t tried hand drums, Africa has been on to something for a thousand years. That’s pretty good. Might be a safe bet, hand drums.

If you would ever like to chat politely, feel free to email. [email protected]. I will read and respond. (Unless something weird happens.)

One more Fela Kuti for the road!

This is a super cool slow jam with a lot of details I find super-fun as a producer. Don’t know if you saw the woodblock but…