03/02
MIAMI, FL -- Warner Bros. Publications has released a three-volume video series that gets to the roots of rhythm and blues drumming. The new series, which features R&B legend Zoro, is entitled The Commandments of R&B Drumming. It shows the dawning of the R&B era, and takes viewers through the evolution of this American music form.
Zoro brings his passion for rhythm and blues music to this educational video series, based on his best-selling book of the same name. Best known for his drumming with Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, Jody Watley, and New Edition, Zoro is also widely recognized for his work as an R&B clinician.
The video series features a winning combination of history, philosophy, performance, instruction and inspiration with a heavy slant on education. Throughout each video, Zoro thoroughly documents the evolution of R&B drumming by delving deep into the people, places, pioneers, significant drummers, innovative beats and musical concepts behind 100 years of rhythm and blues music. Each video features documentary-style narration combined with rare photos, record labels, and seminal album covers of each era. Technical and philosophical discussions, as well as practice tips and innovative exercises pertaining to mastering each feel are thoroughly investigated.
Featured throughout are stellar performances of songs that best define each era with consideration to historical drumming innovations that helped to shape the sound of American popular music. Classic original songs by R&B legends such as James Brown, The Meters, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Earth, Wind & Fire, Janet Jackson, and many more are covered with true authenticity both in performance and production.
The all-star band is made up of some of the industry’s most respected R&B players, including legendary Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist Al McKay.
"The Commandments of R&B Drumming clearly defines the meaning of the word comprehensive and provides a wealth of conceptual ideas and pertinent information for mastering R&B music," says Fred S. Anton, Warner Bros. Publications President/COO. "It’s an inspirational and indispensable study for all drummers, rhythm section players and anyone who loves R&B music and its history!"
Each volume chronologically covers a specific time period in R&B music history. The first volume explores The Soul Era, focusing on the regional influences of soul music from its gospel origins of the late 1800s through blues, and early rhythm and blues to the New Orleans sound, right on through the Motown sound of the late 1960s.
The second volume features The Funk Era, which targets the period of the late 1960s through the 1970s. The most influential groups, drummers and innovative grooves beginning with James Brown right through the disco era are examined. In Volume 3, The Hip Hop Era, Zoro traces the evolution of hip hop drumming by showing the correlation between jazz and hip hop, and breaking down the history of rap music.
"Perhaps the greatest legacy of R&B music is the drummers and their infectious beats that hypnotize us all, for clearly it is they who make us dance," says Zoro. "This video recognizes all the unsung heroes and creators of the funky beat."
The Commandments of R&B Drumming video series is available in three volumes from Warner Bros. Publications. The suggested retail price is $24.95 each for Vol. 1, The Soul Era; Vol. 2, The Funk Era; and Vol. 3, The Hip Hop Era.
For more information visit the company’s website at: www.warnerbrospublications.com.
Warner Bros. Publications is a Warner Music Group Company, a division of Time Warner.
