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The Ed Greene Interview…..
The week of the drummer continues on the JFS. On Tuesday it was Jimmy Madison and yesterday was Ed Greene. Ed was the session drummer on the west coast. Quoting Ed, "you wanted to play bingo with your calender...."
The groove merchant, Ed was the drummer for Barry White, Hull and Oates and Willie Hutch. However, he only heard himself when a single was cut and played on the radio.
I became infatuated with Ed Greene on the Donald Byrd album Ethiopian Knights. They left the tape running to start the session and it picks up Ed trying to get the groove for 2-3 minutes. Once Wilton Felder finds the pocket the hypnotic Afro-Beat rhythm ensues and its off to the races.
Dig It!
One of the tightest grooves ever.I think it was Gene Page who called him “The Greene Machine” because of his great timing. James Gadson also said “A lot of people think Ed’s a black man because has so much pocket”.
Thanks for the interview.
Ed is the most underrated drummer ever. Hos pocket is legendary. I have never seen a drummer show up on so many major records and not get the attention like so many others. He is one of my absolute favorites.
Oh,Jake! I so enjoyed you interview with Ed.I found you online one sleepless night trying to relax and I threw on one of my all time favorite mellow jams “She’s my main squeeze” by Gene Page on the “Hot City” album.Please treat yourself to that. It’s classic Ed Greene just laying down a tight groove with Wilton while David T and Melvin go Pickin away! They anchor the rhythm section while those sweet strings just take you away! It got me thinking,what is this guy doing now? That led me to you!
This interview is an absolute gem! This man is such an underrated musician and I don’t doubt that Jeff Porcaro was influenced by Ed, especially with the one-handed 16th feel. (Maybe Ed got turned onto that by James Gadson?) The musical lineage of these studio greats is off the scale in terms of achievement, they are forgotten heroes but in no way irrelevant today. These guys have left time capsules in their work that demands revisiting and given the respect and recognition it deserves. I feel so lucky to have grown up as a kid in the 70’s with so much of Ed Greene’s grooves helping cultivate my own sense of rhythm. Yes, this interview is a gem, thanks for sharing it with us.
Hi. Did Mr Greene play on Willie Hutch’s Soul Portrait album?
Thanks so much for interviewing the great Ed Greene. I’m amazed you found him. I’ve been trying for a while now, as he played drums of a 1971 single by Eden “Nature Boy” Ahbez, whom I’m writing a biography about. Any help making the connection would be most appreciated.