Legendary drummer Mike Clark’s latest CD titled ‘MIKE DROP’ is another powerful example of just how incredible a player he is. Featuring Michael Zilber on saxophones, Matt Clark on piano, with Peter Barshay on bass…It was recorded at Oakland, California’s 25th Street Studio where the sound and clarity is amazing… According to Mike, most of the tunes were first takes - just the way he likes it.
Mike Clark first came to prominence in the early 1970’s as a member of The Headhunters featuring Herbie Hancock. Together with bassist Paul Jackson and saxophonist Bennie Maupin, they laid down some of the funkiest grooves ever recorded. In fact, Mike Clark may be the most sampled drummer on the planet. Funky stuff aside - Mike is a die-hard jazz musician of the highest order. There isn’t much that Mike hasn’t accomplished… Playing with some of the biggest names in music over the last fifty plus years.
The opening track, ‘Barshay Fly’ hits you right in the face with Mike’s incredible sounding ride cymbal. It reminded me of the same forward driving sonic dominance that Tony Williams displayed with Miles Davis or Joe Morello’s ride sound with Dave Brubeck as another example. - Mike’s ride is that powerful… And more. Mike Clark’s chops are truly ‘off – the – charts’ intense… One might be led to believe that after all these years his drumming might have become somewhat repetitive. There’s no evidence of that here… Mike’s rhythmic inventions appear to be never ending.
Track 2 - Is another original composition by Michael Zilber titled ‘Sonny Monk (IF I WERE A)’ – An up - tempo tribute to Sonny Rollins with a bit of Thelonious Monk on the side. Again, we are immediately drawn to Mike’s distinctive ride patterns…He always enhances the tunes by fully supporting the soloists.
Track 3 – ‘Passion Dance’ opens with a Mike Clark drum solo…Leading into a vicious saxophone attack by Michael Zilber - meanwhile pianist Matt Clark comps and solos on top. Underneath it all are the simmering rhythms of Mike Clark.
Track 4 – ‘You Know I Care’ written by Duke Pearson is a beautiful ballad featuring Mike’s sensitive brush technique throughout.
The next two tracks are The Beatles’ tunes ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Norwegian Wood’. I can almost guarantee that most Lennon/McCartney fans have never heard versions like these… Which is a good thing. Mike Clark has always been a huge Beatles fan – He delivers a brand new sensibility to the music.
Also, check out Mike’s reimagining of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.
‘Miyako’ by Wayne Shorter features the evocative saxophone of Michael Zilber – Bassist Peter Barshay showcases his incredible chops with full support from pianist Matt Clark’s expressive technique.
Next up is Mike’s new version of ‘Monks Dream’ from his 2010 ‘Carnival Of Soul’ CD. This is my favorite track. I love the original, but this one has a little bit more bounce to it. Both are great… This interpretation just happens to be a little different.
The final track is ‘Falling In Love With Love’ by Rodgers and Hart. An up-tempo swinger with Mike Clark’s ride cymbal again taking center stage… There’s a lot of great soloing with Mike trading fours between piano and saxophone.
This CD is a ‘Must Have’ - Every track is listening pleasure. ‘MIKE DROP’ is available on Sunnyside Records (SSC 1623)
Mike Clark uses DW Jazz Series drums -
18” by 14” bass drum, 8” by 12” mounted tom, 14” by 14” floor tom, and a 5 -1/2 inch snare. His primary ride cymbal is an Istanbul 22" Epoch. On the left side is a 20' Istanbul Agop, a 19" Epoch crash cymbal, and 13” inch Istanbul Turkish Hi - Hats. His sticks are Innovative Percussion 5A Vintage Series. He uses Evans white J1 heads on everything.
“Lenny White had a line on some Istanbul Epoch cymbals. He asked me to go and hear them. Lenny then suggested that I go with Istanbul - which I did… And YES, I love them”. -Mike Clark