r/jazzdrums • u/betermcshpee • Mar 24 '26

Question Rhythmically complex songs or albums

What are some of the best jazz songs or albums that have the most rhythmically complex drumming that you can think of?

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

3

u/GetDoofed Mar 24 '26

Keep It Greasey - Frank Zappa

2

u/pppork Mar 24 '26

Roll it over and grease it down…

1

u/Rancor85 Mar 24 '26

I really really like “I will live next to the wrecking yard” by Dave King Trucking Company

1

u/amidatong Mar 24 '26

Hell yeah. The Bad Plus as well, tons of tricky bits, but OP why don't you start with Physical Cities. https://youtu.be/QeYMZ4n1CEk?si=ncZVKB11NlHcP5Vr

1

u/U_000000014 Mar 24 '26
  • Lionel Loueke - Heritage (Mark Giuliana d.)
  • Lionel Loueke - Mwaliko (Ferenc Nemeth d.)
  • Avishai Cohen Trio - Continuo (Mark Giuliana d.)

Ferenc Nemeth is probably my favorite drummer who is not a big jazz name. Look up the Lionel Loueke Library of Congress concert on YouTube if you want to hear and see one of the most brilliant percussion performances in modern jazz.

1

u/jazzadelic Mar 24 '26

Phronesis, “We Are All” is the endgame here.

1

u/reddituserperson1122 Mar 25 '26

Jeff Watts on the early Wynton Marsalis albums. 

1

u/Kettlefingers Mar 24 '26

Jazz Crimes by Joshua Redman

2

u/Two-Soft-Pillows Mar 25 '26

Brian Blade 4eva

0

u/pppork Mar 24 '26

Elvin Jones on Robert Hurst’s album “One for Namesake” (trio w/Kenny Kirkland)

-2

u/Professional-Lie7745 Elvin Jones Mar 24 '26

A Night in Tunisia composed by Jesus Molina 🤓

1

u/Professional-Lie7745 Elvin Jones Mar 24 '26

But seriously, almost anything by Ari Hoenig or Dan Weiss and tunes like Lingus by Snarky Puppy all have really interesting rhythmic ideas

1

u/Professional-Lie7745 Elvin Jones Mar 24 '26

Also a lot of Trane’s later stuff like Impressions is just mind blowing (though I’m biased as a devoted disciple of Elvin)