MoFi Electronics MasterDeck

Get two mouthy jazz drummers in a room and watch the sparks fly. Talented turntable designer Allen Perkins, the brain behind Spiral Groove,2 Immedia's RPM turntables,³ and various SOTA models, is first and foremost a jazz drummer.

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TURNTABLE

Yours truly, after pounding soul-funk beats up and down the East Coast in a silk jumpsuit during the 1980s, played and studied jazz drums for years.

Allen, who are some of the greatest jazz drummers?

"Buddy Rich, because he showed all of us what exceptional technique looks like," Perkins responded, over email. "Joe Morello was exceptional like Vinnie Colaiuta is today, but Buddy was the one with the showmanship to dazzle the public."

What about Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, and Philly Joe Jones? They set the course everyone followed.

"Elvin Jones, for sure," Allen agreed, "he was the most original. You can trace Tony Williams and other great influences. But where did Elvin's approach come from? He seems self-made."

I agree regarding Vinnie Colaiuta, he may be the most gifted drummer since Tony Williams. But Jack DeJohnette is the greatest living, pure jazz drummer. His work is documented over the past 50 years with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and many more.

"Peter Erskine," Allen countered, "because he embodies so many stylistic influences and can contribute to any musical situation: Weather Report, small combos, Joni Mitchell, and literally hundreds of movie soundtracks. He is a unique blend of historical knowledge, classical training, and impeccable taste."

Enter the MasterDeck