Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi

OK, here's a question for you.

I've become a bit bored with the old routines. Drumming along with Snow 
Patrol's no challenge any more.

I joined a new band and their previous drummer was pretty good so I'm 
having to raise my game. He was a jazz drummer (but I'm not looking for 
that) but listening to him has taught me a lot.

There are new tunes to write from February onwards and I need to step up 
and make new rhythms for new songs. So I'm looking for new things to try 
to widen my experience.

Personally, I'm working through some CDs of Cuban music, reggae, some 
proper percussionists work like for Bjork and P J Harvey, Tom Waits, and 
the BBC Asian Network, Bobby Friction .. that's what's really got me 
excited.

So help me out. If you were in my position, what would you do? Is there 
a technique that really took you big steps forward? Some way of 
practicing that works for you? A book maybe? A percussionist you admire?

What gets you excited? That's the question.

Oh, and, if you know anything about how to write a good rhythm for a new 
tune, spill your secrets here and how.

J