We got a rare treat (hell, a unique treat–far as I know) of the kind which only Okayplayer is um, equipped to deliver. To wit, our benevolent afro-lord ?uestlove has decided to drop his first “free breakbeat” on his new Ludwig drums (see above and witness the drums in action in Mel D. Cole‘s amazing shots from Roots Picnic 2012). ?uesto sheds a little light on the story behind this fit of generosity below but in short, if you are not a fan of huge drum sounds laid down in ?uesto’s signature DJ-ready, deep-pockets style–blame it on D’Angelo:

i made the decision to go full fledge back to my “roots.”

dec 25th 1979 i got my very first “real” drum set (Blue Vistalites like Bonzo from Zep)

then i went through a Tama phase (well…lol my parents were like “here”)

but all my professional career i was a Yamaha head. which bent over backwards for me.

but at the end of the day I’m a “breakbeat”-based drummer and i’ve never gotten better “grit” than i did with Ludwig.

actually on D’angelo’s “yes we’re still waiting” new album i played on a blue & cream vistalite just like when i was a kid. the sound was so raw i was like “i GOTTA go back.”

There you have it! Listen below via the OKP soundcloud page and hit the button to download the breakbeat–affectionately titled “Ludwiggy”–into your sweaty little hard-drives. Rappers, start your engines!