Credits
Gabrielle, Ronnie
Jordan, Al Green, Mary-J Blige, Incognito, Matt Bianco, Fine Young Cannibals,
George Michael, and many more.
Review Highlights
"He's
metronomically accurate, but his subtly varied off-the-beat placement is
complex, organic, and dead funky...Furthermore, Mason excels at crafting
patterns that are hip and detailed without sounding contrived - there are few
cliches here...No matter how electronic Mason gets, he never sounds mechanical.
The triggered loops tend to feel almost as human as the purely acoustic ones."
- Keyboard (USA)
"This CD features the crispest live drums and percussion played by the
maestro...The sound of the drums involved are second to none - these are live
drums at their best." - Knowledge, Feb-March 98.
"I've been reviewing sample CDs quite a bit recently and although many have had
much to recommend them, none has satisfied my own particular personal thirst
for a specific kind of sample - until now...Steamin' is over an hour of very
pure, very funky drum loops. They have been played with that lived in feel that
makes you groove the moment you hear them and you only get from twenty years
practising playing the drums...What can I say, this is the best sample CD I've
ever heard, buy it and never run out of breakbeats." - DJ Magazine, Feb 98.
"Crammed with superb acoustic and electronic grooves, Steamin' is the perfect
antidote to all those percussive problems that seem to arise whenever you're
trying to lay down an authentic hip hop groove (not as easy as it sounds) or
create the perfect backing for your latest swingbeat, tech-jazz or soul
masterpiece. There's a staggering choice of loops (both acoustic and
electronic) on offer here - from slow shuffles to meaty funk fills - all
beautifully recorded...some of the seemingly effortless syncopations he managed
to fit into a single loop are just breathtaking. The sounds themselves are on
an equal footing offering a wide variety of kicks (everything from high n'
tight to deep n' hollow), snares (buzz and side sticks too), cymbals, toms and
hi-hats. There's also a useful selection of snare and hat grooves for those who
prefer programming their own kick patterns...The production throughout is
exquisite, as it was on its predecessor. This is exactly the kind of material
that the sampler was invested for. You'll find yourself locked in the studio
just dreaming up new tracks for the opportunity of getting to work with one of
these grooves...no matter which style of music you're working on you'll still
find this an essential purchase. Steamin' is a brilliantly creative collection.
Don't miss it." - The Mix, March 98.
Contents
This is one sequel
that won't disappoint. Tony's built on the success of his first CD. This CD
includes all the style and subtlety that made Smokin' such a hit - but adds new
scope with the inclusion of triggered drum sounds offering a much wider palette
of sounds for you to utilise. This is something special, but don't take our
word for it, hear it for yourself.
More
info on the Producer
Tony's first CD,
...Smokin', was extremely highly rated by many good judges. It offered
something not available on any other sample CD - it had it's own unique sound.
This CD confirms Tony's status and builds on the reputation he gained for his
first sample CD.
