Greetings Exotica fans!

Voodoo 2 is out!

Order Voodoo 2 by clicking here!


See you all at Hukilau for the debut live performance of the entire CD on June 15!

www.thehukilau.com




- Robert Drasnin's Myspace monkey

Hello everyone!

This is James, who is helping Robert Drasnin out with this MySpace page. I atteneded the recording sessions for Voodoo 2 this past weekend, Friday the 16th through Sunday the 18th, and they were a resounding success!

On Friday, we arrived in the choral hall of the Pierce College in Los Angeles. Phillipe, the main recording engineer was there, setting up his recording rig. My background is in recording also, so I was there to lend additional expertise. Phillipe (or Philbeaux) and I set up all of the mics and other equipment all day. A guy named Mark was there to help too, and at one point he and I and Drasnin went down into Hollywood to pick up some extra equipment. Bob went home to rest after that, as Philbeaux and I (with Mark and also an assist from Exotica music expert Jeff Chenault) finished the set-up. Then we went to Mark's place for Mai Tais!

Saturday morning, the room was bustling with activity, as producer Skip Heller arrived to oversee the recording, Bob readied his scores, a dozen musicians filed in to set up their gear, and a few invited guests (and 'level 3' donators to the project) took their seats. Philbeaux and I ran around making final preparations. Just after 10:00, Bob called for silence, and readied the first track of the day. The musicians took a breath, and with eyes intent on their scores and Bob's conducting hands, the first chord of Voodoo 2 filled the air.

After this magic moment, the day went smoothly, with only one tech issue slowing things down at one point, and all of the musicians performing flawlessly. Most of the songs required two to three rehersal takes, and then about the same number of 'real' takes to get them right. The first tune happened slowly as everyone was getting warmed up and as recording matters were ironed out, but we eventually setled into a groove of finishing about one song per hour. With an hour for lunch (deli trays and fruit) we finished by 5:00. We had six of the twelve songs recorded, our goal for the day met, right on schedule.

Some of the standout musicians (from my personal perspective) were Mike Lang on piano, who is one of LA's top session players - he's made many dozens of records and also performed on many dozens of film scores over the past handful of decades. Also DJ Bonebrake, the drummer from the awesome punk band 'X'. He was on marimbas for the session, an instrument he embraced about a decade ago. The bass player was Jim Hughart, who was on all of Tom Waits' 1970s-era albums. I was also pleasantly surprised wth Peggy, the cellist, who really made her cello sing. Great tone, nice job from her. In truth, all of the other players were good too, and included a drummer, two percussionists, a vibraphone, flute, harp, electric keyboard, a gal named Stephanie on vocals, and Robert Drasnin on alto sax, clarinet, and flute.

The sessions continued on Sunday, with the other six songs ending up recorded by about 4:30. A few extra overdubs of vibes and marimba were followed by some additional work from Peggy and the flautist. Stephanie came in last, and did all of her vocal parts in record time. Exhausted, Skip and Bob decided to do Bob's extra overdubs another day ( think that Philbeaux and I were secretly happy, since we were beat too).

This week, as you read this, Bob and Philbeaux will go to Philbeaux's small home studio to finish Bob's sax, flute, and clarinet parts with Skip still there to oversee things. They will then mix and edit the record, which is still on track for a release this spring, probably in May.

This record will sound great. All Exotica fans will be overjoyed.

See this profile's pictures section for pics!

As of today, Bob is halfway finished composing the last song for Voodoo 2.

Any day now, the writing process for the record will be complete!

Between now and the recording dates in mid-February, Bob will be selecting the musicians, copying the scores, and looking forward to meeting those of you who are making "Level 3" donations to this project.

mahalo nui
(thanks a lot!)

- Robert Drasnin's web team

Aloha everyone.

This is Robert Drasnin's official MySpace site.

It was set up, and is being run by, associates of Mr. Drasnin's.

Bob will be checking in here from time to time, and appricates all of your interest in his music.

He is very excited about the recording of Voodoo II, and the cool fundraiser project that is being launched. This is a way to insure that this record can be made with the highest quality possible, and for all of you to be involved as well.

He'll definitely see your comments and posts, so keep them coming.

Plesse note that email messages may be read by the people maintining this profile, before getting to Mr. Drasnin.

mahalo nui!