Reggae maestro Winston Grennan made an art out of sublime surprise.

Note the little moments throughout this performance that crash over us like the wave we hadn’t seen coming. For instance, the little hi-hat bark at 0:07 and the crash at 0:09.

What’s wonderful about these surprises is that rather than imposing themselves on the groove, they emerge from it. Grennan is channeling expression through his drums. His playing is deeply attuned to the performances around him. For all of his dexterity, what one hears is more about his humility to the groove. Without that humility, the sign of true mastery, the song, with all of its funky counterpoint, would not attain the reverent feel necessary for the song to connect with listeners.

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