Andrea Benini Drumphilia Volume 1

"a journey inspired by early African electronic music and modern
beats"
Drumphilia volume 1 is a rhythmic experiment that sits on the fault
line between traditional instrumentation and analogue
electronics. The project is a response to many years spent working
with, learning about and listening to African and Caribbean
percussion. Traditional rhythmic influences are combined with
analogue drum machines and drum synths to create a hybrid
sound that continues in the tradition of artists like Francis Bebey.
There are no traditional harmonic instruments on the recordings -
the aim was to create melody and texture using only carefully
tuned percussion instruments, whether organic or electronic.
Basslines were created by blending drum synth tones with the
acoustic marimbula, a traditional Caribbean instrument that was
often used in place of a bass guitar. Melodies were created with
everything from log drums and thumb pianos to early Soviet drum
modules and the trailblazing Pearl Syncussion SY- 1.
Various time signatures and textures are used across the album to
produce melody out of rhythm - hypnotic, evolving tracks that
celebrate and highlight the importance of rhythm in modern
music. All the sessions were recorded at the Mop Mop studio in
Berlin between September and December, 2016. Instruments
featured include: Log drum, marimbula, kalimba, sansula,
krabebs. Pearl Syncussion SY-1, Vermona DRM1, MFB Tanzbär,
MFB Tanzmaus RMIF Elsita, assorted drum machines and
talkboxes.
Liner notes by Hugo Mendez