DRUMS OF COMPASSION
Legendary drummer Michael Shrieve announces the much-anticipated release of his album, “Drums of Compassion,” set to drop on May 24, 2024 on Trey Gunn’s innovative label, 7D Media. This album is a testament to Shrieve’s artistic journey, encapsulating over fifty years of musical exploration and collaboration with some of the most revered names in the industry.
"Drums of Compassion" is not merely an album; it's an odyssey that began two decades ago inspired by the Dalai Lama's call for a Time of Compassion, with a nod to the title of Nigerian Percussionist Babatunde Olatunji's classic album from 1959, "Drums of Passion", which is one of the first records to popularize African Music to the Western World. This album is graced with an Introduction Vocal Incantation by Olatunji himself and acts as a bridge between eras, cultures, and sounds, embodying the spirit of unity and the transformative power of music.
The album boasts an ensemble of musical virtuosos, including Babatunde Olatunji, Jack DeJohnette, Zakir Hussain, Airto Moreira, Trey Gunn, Sherik, Amon Tobin, Raul Rekow, Karl Perazzo & others. Their collective genius creates a tapestry of rhythmic brilliance that transcends conventional music boundaries, offering listeners an immersive sonic experience.
Shrieve’s collaboration with Soundmaster Jeff Greinke lays the foundation of the album with ambient, space-evoking melodies that serve as a backdrop to the dynamic percussive elements. Recorded in the iconic Robert Lang and London Bridge Studios in Seattle, “Drums of Compassion” offers a rich acoustic experience, further enriched by contributions from world-renowned musicians during a serendipitous gathering at the Bumbershoot Festival.
The album’s artwork, crafted by the talented designer Christo Downs and artist Bruno Borges, mirrors the album's profound musical narrative, presenting a visual feast that complements the auditory journey.
“Drums of Compassion” is more than an album; it’s an offering from Shrieve to the world. It’s a declaration of the pure intentions of musicians, a prayer for compassion, and an invitation to explore the depth of human connection through the universal language of music.
Available in May 2024, “Drums of Compassion” promises to be a landmark release in Shrieve’s illustrious career and a beacon of hope and unity while inviting listeners to embark on a journey of musical and spiritual discovery.
Produced by Michael Shrieve and Eric Oz
Recorded by Eric Oz at Glenn Sound, and Ironornj Studio, Robert Lang at Robert Lang Studios, Rik Parashar at London Bridge Studios and Don Gunn at The Office. All in Seattle, WA
Mixed by Don Gunn and Eric Oz
Mastered by Don Gunn
Album designed by Christo Downs, cover illustration by Bruno Borges
SANTANA IV
Spring of 2016 marks the release of Santana IV, the wildly anticipated studio album that reunites the revered early ‘70s lineup of guitar icon Carlos Santana (lead guitar, vocals), Gregg Rolie (keyboards, lead vocals), Neal Schon (guitar, vocals), Michael Carabello (percussion) and Michael Shrieve (drums). The album signifies the first time in 45 years – since 1971’s multi-platinum classic Santana III – that the quintet has recorded together.
Santana IV features 16 all-new tracks written and produced by the band. They burst with the same unparalleled energy and superlative musicianship that made Santana a pioneering force in world music and a household name across the globe. Joining the core Santana IV band in the studio are current Santana members Karl Perazzo (percussion) and Benny Rietveld (bass), with the legendary vocalist Ronald Isley guesting on two cuts.
In addition to the new album, the Santana IV reunion concert in Las Vegas was taped and televised. A two-hour DVD of this extraordinary performance is available. The band also performed three east coast concerts, one at Madison Square Garden, as part of the album launch.
Few bands can pick up a musical dialog after 45 years apart, but on Santana IV each band member reaches a new level of virtuosity and communal intuition on a collection of songs that easily stands side-by-side with the group’s treasured early work.
“When you can go back and break new ground with joy and determination – and some whoop-ass energy – it gets you going,” says Santana. “I think we achieved something very rare. This music was screaming to come out of us. It wasn’t about nostalgia. It was about passion.”
MICHAEL SHRIEVE’S SPELLBINDER
Michael Shrieve's Spellbinder is a majestic instrumental band of the first order. The group achieves an unlikely mix of propulsive rock with cool jazz. Only the finest musicianship could allow the sound to coalesce so beautifully into flowing experimentation that is altogether distinctive.
This inspired quintet takes its name from guitarist Gabor Szabo's tune, which is best known from its brief appearance at the end of Santana's hit, "Black Magic Woman." Shrieve's unit consists of blazing guitarist Danny Godinez, trumpeter Raymond Larsen offering a taste of 70s-era Miles, Hammond B3 organist/magician Joe Doria, and bassist phenom Farko Dosumov—all among the finest of Seattle’s musicians.
Michael Shrieve hopes to take Spellbinder on the road. Playing live nourishes his soul in a different way than does studio recording. As Michael says, “the name Spellbinder reminds me of what my job is: to be a spiritual man who inspires listeners through music, to cast a spell with trance-inducing rhythms that transports listeners to a new place, one that is more free and open.”
Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder, released in 2016, is the band’s studio recording of original compositions and homages (with trumpet by John Fricke).
Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder Live at ToST is the group’s debut recording that resulted from Michael’s stint as artist-in-residence in 2008 at the iconic Seattle music venue.
TRILON
Trilon is a free-form jazz-groove project carved out of a rare day of relaxed but rigorous jamming at Stone Gossard’s Studio Litho in Seattle. Like all great music, this recording started with chemistry. A tribe of experimental risk-takers in the late-night scene at Seattle clubs explored uncharted terrain backed by a fat percussive groove laid down by Michael Shrieve, who was also the producer and creative force.
The mix and improvisations were generated by this group of mates as they organically searched for a modern electrified application of the improvisatory principles of Miles Davis in the 1960s and Bill Laswell in the 1990s. Despite the influence of these two artists, Trilon sounds like neither and is altogether unique.
Michael invited a stellar cast of geniuses to join his project: Skerik, the saxophone maestro known for his work with Critters Buggin, Garage A Trois, Les Claypool, Marco Benevento, and his own Bandelabra; keyboard and loop-guru Reggie Watts, the globally recognized comedian/musician whom GQ calls “a comic genius;” Brad Houser, bassist for David Garza, Edie Brickell and Critters Buggin; Mike Dillon, percussion radical and indie-jazz icon behind the Mike Dillon Band; James “Roto” Rotondi, the guitarist/synthesist for Mr. Bungle and The Grassy Knoll; and Brian Siskind, a.k.a. Good Rester and Fognode, who’s the re-mixer, composer and stereo sculptor.
Trilon is far beyond these individuals playing and experimenting together. It’s equally about the space between them, and the time between its early creation and its eventual unfolding.
Trilon was produced by Michael Shrieve and co-produced and re-mixed by Brian Siskind.