Carlos Alomar

BOWIE’S RIGHT GUITAR HAND

What music are you currently grooving to?

Electronica, rap, Brazilian bossa nova, African rhythms… I’ve always loved all kinds of music. It’s in my best interest not to listen to too much for fear that it should appear in what I’m already doing.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album? Every bar on [1968 Al Kooper/Mike Bloomfield/Steve Stills LP] Super Session is a lesson. Look at what they can do with a minor pentatonic!

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?

I think it was Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix. We had to travel from the outskirts [of New York] to stores like Alexander’s, in Manhattan. I’m a minister’s son, so I was only able to play songs like Bringing In The Sheep. Hendrix played a C7 sharp 9, and it had distortion on it! I wasn’t going back to Pentecostal minister guitar-playing. Hell no! Sorry, Lord.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be?

Jimi Hendrix. But would he survive now? Get the hell out of here! I’d have to go back in time. You know who Hendrix is? Prince, in a different body. Music is a time capsule.

What do you sing in the shower? Dude, I don’t, I bathe. Music is constantly going on in my head. The raindrops have notes, the wind howling is an E flat. It’s not a curse, it’s a tool and you don’t turn off tools, you activate ’em.

What is your favourite Saturday night record?

Oh man, soul music! Baby Love by The Supremes. I take my wife and I shake my ass and become that kid I was at the prom.

And your Sunday morning record? None. I have such a full life, I maintain a certain amount [of time] for inner peace and meditation. I think about the week and how I’m going to launch into the next one.

“Raindrops have notes, the wind is an E flat.” CARLOS ALOMAR