John Blackwell has an extraordinary sense of groove and a, totally ambidextrous, open handed style. The format is like a conversation with John Blackwell sat at a drum kit, talking about his technique and playing examples. It’s not loaded with exercises but John gives an interesting insight into his own learning process. John’s technique is very natural to him so his explanations aren’t for people just starting out playing drums. That said, the exercises he demonstrates will be very useful for improving drummers and especially lefty drummers who play a right handed set-up like John does. Great hi-hat tricks and stick twirling too. Special features include clips from the classic drum solos DVD’s and more of John at the Modern Drummer festival 2002.

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Reviewed by James W.