Drum Kit - and the Best Triangle Groove ever !

Four on the floor bass drum. Closed Hi-Hat on all off beats. Snare on 2 Snare on 4. A handful of tom and open Hi-Hat fills.
There may be some bleed from the bass far far back in the mix in the audio you linked (I don't know what the fat albert sound is you referred to). I wouldn't notate much on the triangle other than 1 eight 2 sixteenths with some opens on the eights - sometimes in disco the same effect is fine on tambourine.

Nice transcription too. Glad you're breaking into the drum set world!

Here's a funk take of the same tune by one of the groups I fell in love with while serving in Europe (Electro Deluxe is the band - I think formerly on the French Motown label). They're awesome and energetic.

Our pop group played my transcription at a ton of live festivals and was well received. I based my transcription off one of their records (female vocal), but this live take by their usual male lead surpasses the album version.
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Was finishing this post when I saw Mike's post drop in. Two thumbs up for the brushed snare.

 

I don't hear any Bb octave thing, but the ring from the snare sounds like it is resonating close to an A to my ear.

That Electro Deluxe cover is killer!

 

Sleep, or more cocaine!

 

That's why disco allowed drummers to consume large quantities of alcohol and other such products (I played in a disco band in Miami in the late 70's). The hi-hat would also be played on all eighth notes and, most importantly, be opened on 2&, 4&, or all& in the beat. The open hi-hat was key and about the only fun the drummer had with this music.

Except for country music, I'm thinking the four-on-the-floor hadn't been heard much since 1940's big bands. I think Disco also brought string back into popular music (and then they went away). Some of the best writing is in the strings. I don't ever remember hearing triangle in Disco though. Sadly, the triangle never really had a life in popular music -- and we are the lessor for it.

I remember the Fat Albert Sound as a micing technique where multiple mics were used on the kit. I think that obvious but revolutionary method coincided with Disco or a bit before it.

Nice job Bruce, but know that research has shown that Disco is gateway music to Lawrence Welk. So, be careful! And for god sake don't buy those platform shoes you have your eye on. It will pass.

An excellent primer on Disco string arranging.

 

Firstly, sorry for calling you Bruce. I knew a Bruce Gibson in HS. He went to prison. You live in a country founded as a prison, so ... Plus you have that "He seemed like a nice guy. A little strange, but I never imagine he could do that. He never talk about owning an axe."

Since we last spoke, I have been AWOL from composing. I've been spending my time reading books about the cognitive sciences and thinking about not composing. According to many nero-scientists, we have no free will. So, I don't feel so bad about not composing. In fact, Mike's two finger challenge is the first I've done since we spoke. I'm orchestrating it now, trying to get back into the groove. BTW, I hear Mike's next challenge will be three fingers; one finger in the right hand and two fingers of scotch in the left. I'll get back to the songs as soon as I can get Staying Alive out of my head. Thanks for that.

Don Simmons. Wow! He makes it look so effortless. When I was a kid, I stayed with my grandmother for a weekend each summer. She listened to LW and Liberace. The bubbles, the candelabra. Now that's entertainment!