Chris Dave has recorded and performed with a slew of chart topping artists, from Beyonce and Adele to Wynton Marsalis and Dianne Reeves. Far from a chameleon, he brings his own dangerously unique technique to each artist’s sound, and stamps his signature style on a handful of different genres. He reinvents the musical tropes we’ve come to know with a groundbreaking approach to rhythm, and performs with a tricked out drum set most drummers only dream of. The Drumhedz gives Dave a chance to show off his revolutionary style and indulge in technically staggering drum solos and experimental song structure.
Chris “Daddy” Dave took stage at Highline Ballroom this Sunday evening by setting down an open bottle of Patron in arm’s reach of his drum kit. He then addressed the audience to “open your mind, close your eyes and join us on the journey.” Dave, who stated his hatred for public speaking, only addressed the crowd at the opening and closing of the show, and careened through the set list without waiting for any applause. In fact, the only true pause he took in the entirety of the show was to affix a Sabian Hoop Crasher on his snare during the middle of a song. The whole band paused so he could add it, and fans had to smile that Dave’s extreme attention to detail could hold up the whole show.
Band members alternate from show to show, but musical expertise remains a constant. An occasional surprise guest artist is known to show up as well. Superstars Beyonce, Mos Def, and others have made unannounced cameos during Drumdhedz shows. Tonight included the talents of Pino Palladino on bass, Isaiah Sharkey on guitar, and Kebbi Williams on sax and flute. The members all have long track records with top recording artists and collectively have a few Grammy Awards under their belts.
The drum set Chris Dave plays on could be mistaken for a wizard’s laboratory. Zildjian Spiral Trash cymbals hang down several feet on either side of him, and his clear Plexiglas suspended floor tom and kick drum give the illusion of a half invisible kit. It was easy to spot the drummers in the crowd, as a number of them pushed up to stage right side to catch Dave’s every move. The music of The Drumhedz centers on Dave’s playing, and the performances showcase mostly original compositions.
When describing the sound of The Drumhedz, Chris Dave emphatically points out his music should not be pinned to one genre. Indeed, the band takes pride from drawing on many influences. The show opened with a non-traditional cover of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” and rounded off with Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe.” The band also cites inspiration from artists D’Angelo, Fela Kuti, Radiohead, and J Dilla. The sound is an amalgamation of R&B, funk, rock, jazz, hip-hop and electronica, and the band switches genres at the drop of a hat. Besides mixing genres, the musicians play with the audience’s perception by overlapping different rhythms on top of one another. The result is heady, intelligent layering that requires its audience to pay close attention.
Technical flair does overshadow emotional intent, and this imbalance can dampen the mood. By the encore, my ears were fatigued of hearing such densely packed rhythms and intricate, lengthy solos. Chris Dave is undoubtedly an impressive, well studied artist, and he specializes in impossible, obtuse rhythms that somehow fit in with the overall picture. But he over stimulates his audience, and could effectively hold back a few times to pack a punch, rather than playing full out the whole set. I craved a song that could let us see Chris Dave exercise an ability to withhold for dramatic or emotional effect.
Kebbi Williams played an electronically enhanced saxophone and flute, which allowed him the ability to morph into a gritty, gravely wail, a reverb drenched echo, or into other instruments entirely. Williams brought soul to the performance, and carried the melody line for much of the show. As a strikingly tall man rarely to be seen onstage without his signature top hat, Williams was an unforgettable, indispensable part of the band.
Since the 90’s, Chris Dave has been attributed with redefining the role of the drummer. His highly stylized, well-honed approach has earned him accolades, and scores of drummers cite him as a major influence. The Drumhedz gives Dave a chance to forge original music that breaks away from the pop mainstream and gives listeners insight into his un-categorizable technique. This turn away from the mainstream is particularly exciting to hear from an artist so well versed in established music styles. Chris Dave breaks every mold he’s ever been placed in.
Chris Dave’s Drumhedz Mixtape is now available for free download at http://chris-dave.com/
