Classic Tracks: Tribu de Ixchel
Tonight, I just happened to be checking out a new set of UE earbud-style headphones, and I wanted to see how well they reproduced low end. I dialed up some songs from the band, Tribu de Ixchel, and was instantly flung back in time to when Robbie Parrish and I were working with the band. (The earbuds must be awesome). Not only did the music sound good, I was reminded just how amazing the band was, and was delighted to hear how fresh the CD still sounded today.
In the mid and late 1990's, Robbie and I had the pleasure of working with Tribu. The band members quickly became family to Robbie and I, and we were blessed to work on two excellent CD's together, the last of which, Crema Latina was one of the best CD's I have ever worked on--getting high marks both sonically and performance-wise, with exceptional songwriting. Rodney Meyer's mastering of the CD was exceptional, and in my opinion, the high water mark for his career in the rock category.
We cut the tracks on 2" analog, and slaved two (!) Tascam DA-88's to that reel for a total of 40 audio tracks which we mixed using just the console automation. At that time we did not have Pro Tools in Studio A at SugarHill. We had the same 44 input Neotek Elite that we have now, so I brought all of the effect returns in on the mic pre-amps, padded down as heavily as I could. Consequently, the sound is huge.
Back in November of 2000 when we were were mixing, I had not yet made the transition into producing full time, and I was grateful to be part of a team with Robbie and the band. Robbie got some of the most amazing vocal performances out of Jerri and Jessie. His drum, bass and percussion ideas were equally superior. I was sort of in charge of the guitar performances, and maintaining the overall focus of the record's sound. Robbie was definitely the lead guy on this project.
Here is the song 'Restira la Ilusion'. This song is a beautiful ballad that included rock, traditional latin, and hip hop elements. It was a bear to mix because we had two completely different drum kits (NOT submixed) to contend with in different parts of the song. It was the first song that I ever spent two days mixing. It think that it was worth it. The lyrical nature of the lead vocal, along with Jerri's beautiful voice made the song one of my favorites that I have ever worked on.
While you are at it check out this song, too: 'Cama de Fuego'. This song rocks super hard, and Gabe's bass is uber-funky.
An interesting aside is that both songs feature keyboardist Michael Ramos, who has a killer songwriter/performer in his own right, and is the sideman of choice for John Melencamp and Patti Griffin. Robbie got Michael down to Houston to spread some of his love on our tracks, and his parts really added to the beauty of the songs.
Alas, Tribu is no longer BUT the core members of Tribu are continuing their journey in an excellent project, Triple.
Glad I got the headphones!
In the mid and late 1990's, Robbie and I had the pleasure of working with Tribu. The band members quickly became family to Robbie and I, and we were blessed to work on two excellent CD's together, the last of which, Crema Latina was one of the best CD's I have ever worked on--getting high marks both sonically and performance-wise, with exceptional songwriting. Rodney Meyer's mastering of the CD was exceptional, and in my opinion, the high water mark for his career in the rock category.
We cut the tracks on 2" analog, and slaved two (!) Tascam DA-88's to that reel for a total of 40 audio tracks which we mixed using just the console automation. At that time we did not have Pro Tools in Studio A at SugarHill. We had the same 44 input Neotek Elite that we have now, so I brought all of the effect returns in on the mic pre-amps, padded down as heavily as I could. Consequently, the sound is huge.
Back in November of 2000 when we were were mixing, I had not yet made the transition into producing full time, and I was grateful to be part of a team with Robbie and the band. Robbie got some of the most amazing vocal performances out of Jerri and Jessie. His drum, bass and percussion ideas were equally superior. I was sort of in charge of the guitar performances, and maintaining the overall focus of the record's sound. Robbie was definitely the lead guy on this project.
Here is the song 'Restira la Ilusion'. This song is a beautiful ballad that included rock, traditional latin, and hip hop elements. It was a bear to mix because we had two completely different drum kits (NOT submixed) to contend with in different parts of the song. It was the first song that I ever spent two days mixing. It think that it was worth it. The lyrical nature of the lead vocal, along with Jerri's beautiful voice made the song one of my favorites that I have ever worked on.
While you are at it check out this song, too: 'Cama de Fuego'. This song rocks super hard, and Gabe's bass is uber-funky.
An interesting aside is that both songs feature keyboardist Michael Ramos, who has a killer songwriter/performer in his own right, and is the sideman of choice for John Melencamp and Patti Griffin. Robbie got Michael down to Houston to spread some of his love on our tracks, and his parts really added to the beauty of the songs.
Alas, Tribu is no longer BUT the core members of Tribu are continuing their journey in an excellent project, Triple.
Glad I got the headphones!
posted by dan at 3/26/2006 08:25:00 PM
2 Comments:
first to comment!
i have a good set of headphones...but my cd player is horrible...so i end up with average sound..boohoo
i am glad you put a link for those two songs
"Restira la llusion" was really good. very enjoyable. and its smooth knowing that you had to do with the overall sound of the whole song...smmooooth
i also listened to the second song "Cama de Fuego". funky indeed. im glad you put up both of the songs so i could get a better feeling of the band.
too bad their still not around.
next i shall check out Triple
Thanks for the kind words Dan.
Working with you and Robbie on those two albums was an awesome experience...one that I'll always cherish and hold dear.
On another note, Michael's CDs are both very cool and smooth. What a great musician.
Give my regards to Robbie and God bless,
Gabe
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