is the groove there?

[MountainManMusic]

i was going for LATIN but that can be taken a lot of different ways.

any one have some thoughts on how this is going?

thanks

track "latinish sat round jam groove"

https://soundcloud.com/jess-fuller/lati ... jam-groove


MMM

[mikeymike2000]

Hey man,

I think you got a good start. I like the groove but I do have some suggestions.

Even if you didn't say "Latin" I would prob still suggest to bring that tempo way up. When I think of Latin I think of faster paced lively and energetic music.

The grove you have I think would be better served faster.

The other thing that jumps out at me is that those beautiful horns you have don't fit this style. As authentic and full as they sound, I am thinking something in the style of "session horns" would be a better fit. Even something that sounds, dare I say "MIDI" could work in this with some finesse.

Not sure if you have ever listened to Herb Alpert but he has some pretty cool stuff and would be a good (possible) reference artist. -'South of the Border', as arranged by his band would be a great place to hear the horns. Granted they are real, but they have a different sound to them.

Just to put it out there... this would be something I think would be fun to work on.

[MountainManMusic]

i agree the horns are not doing it for me either, the thing that is killing me is a need a memorable hook line and im just not getting it yet.

tempo could probably bump up 10-15 beats.

thanks mike!

MMM

[MountainManMusic]

posted new version, please comment on the changes.

https://soundcloud.com/jess-fuller/lati ... jam-groove


thanks
MMM

[tordenspyd]

To me the shaker and the congas are not in the groove together.
Perhaps, for the intro you may try playing the shaker straight, (not syncopated)
I like the tune , in particular as presented from 1:11 -1:35. It feels like I (might) have heard it before, which should be a good thing, and may only tell it has some elements I think are catchy. The brass riff you have just before 1:25 has a distinct South African party music flavor which goes very well together the tune itself before and is an alternative direction you could take this in.
The action drama brass stabs elements (sound that way to me) you have 0:45 -0.55 are cool I think. For the right film, that could be great , but otherwise limits the use. It's cool the way you end different parts with that strong signature phrase of your composition.

[pboss]

It's certainly a unique track. It jumps out at me as African commercial primarily, and yes, there are those Latin elements, horns etc. That one sort of Earth Wind & Fire riff distracts (quick hits half way thru) -at least that's what it reminds me of.

I hear groove in some of the instruments, and then it's seems like there are a few instruments that got quantized strictly, to the quarter or 1/8 note, and that's what is throwing off the groove in a few spots for me (:35, :40) and :53 where the bass upbeats seems to happen on the downbeat (hard to describe). But the bass definitely grooves in most spots.

There may be an overall dichotomy where Latin is straight 8ths, straight-time, and funk can have a groove that has essence of swing groove in it. it's almost like you have to decide which side of the fence you want to commit to. Interesting track!