Mid-1970s, late ’70s. I still wanted to be a drummer and bought every album one of my favourite drummers played on – cracks like Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro and Carlos Vega. So I came across the Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Hirth Martinez.
I got his album “Big Bright Street”, released in 1977, from a bargain box in a record store for a ridiculous price. Good buy! Just because of the legendary rhythmic title “Love Song”, in which among others musicians like Randy Brecker, Dr. John and Mr. Gadd take part. The latter was in impressive form at that time. With complex, syncopated grooves he pushed the title of the scratchy singer, somewhere between Latin, Jazz and Singer/Songwriter tradition, incredibly imaginatively forward. A musical feat, no question about it – but the master drummer couldn’t remember it many years later during a telephone interview. Only when I played the song to him over the telephone did he say after a few bars. “Hmm, yes, sounds familiar to me …” He simply played too many sessions, the good one …
