Kirk Bennett: Marching to his beat

Kirk Bennett is one of contemporary reggae's in-demand drummers. The Trelawny native currently records and tours as a member of singer Beres Hammond's Harmony House band and the High Voltage Unit of deejay Busy Signal.

Bennett cut his teeth as a drummer with the Trelawny Marching Band and on the North Coast hotel circuit, before moving to Kingston and joining the Kausion band.

He has played on several of Hammond's big hits, including Come Down Father and I Feel Good. Bennett, who has also done session work with Toots Hibbert and Marcia Griffiths, counts Sly Dunbar, Carlton 'Carly' Barrett of The Wailers and Lloyd Knibb of The Skatalites as his biggest influences.

"Sly is always thinking, always coming up with different things," Bennett told The Gleaner recently. "Carly was the king of roots, not fancy but very technical," he added. "When it come to the flying high-hat, Lloyd Knibb a di boss!"

Bennett is also a producer. He has released songs by Busy Signal, Cecile, Elephant Man and Vegas on his Kirkledove label.

The following are his Top 10 reggae drum patterns:

(1) Pass The Kutchie (by The Mighty Diamonds, played by Sly Dunbar): "Love the one-two pattern. The kick drum plants with the bass and this allows the singer to flow."

(2) Satta Masa Gana (The Abysinnians, played by Fil Callender): "The Nyabinghi feel, yuh can't beat it! One of the best patterns ever!"

(3) Exodus (Bob Marley and The Wailers, played by Carlton Barrett): "High-hat patterns with the Steppers kick. Carly a gwaan!"

(4) Boxing (Cornel Campbell, played Michael 'Mikey Boo' Richards): "One-two pattern again. The synth drum was just coming in, giving it a different feel. One of the rhythms drummers need to listen."

(5) Stalag rhythm (played by Carlton 'Santa' Davis): "A Nyabinghi pattern similar to the Bossa Nova. A lot of experimenting going on here with drum and bass."

(6) Armageddon Time (Willie Williams, played by Fil Callender): "Jus' the whole feel; congas, timbales and shakers. The shakers really bring it on this song."

(7) Darker Shade of Black (Soul Vendors): "Nyabinghi pattern again. Nuff youth need fi listen this sound."

(8) Haunt You (Tarrus Riley, played by Kirk Bennett): "I went for the high-hat intro. Has a laid-back thing with the bass played by Glen Browne."

(9) Thank You Mama (Sizzla, played by Kirk Bennett): "Nyabinghi. Used high-hat and kick drum to bring that feel."

(10) Tek Wey Yuhself (Vegas, played by Kirk Bennett): "Mento with a little gerreh, backyard-type a playing."

- H.C.