With an incredible range of indigenous instruments amalgamated into the drum kit, he creates intoxicating and powerful rhythms. It is this versatility and eclectic musical language alongside his enthusiastic creativity that he is known for and which has led him to bring such varied flavours to diverse recordings and projects A professional player for 30 years, Martin’s journey began in his teens when he was taught by an inspiring military drum teacher. Within a couple of years he took on his retired teacher’s pupils whilst also playing in a variety of rock, reggae and cabaret bands. With the advent of punk music he signed his first recording contract and recorded his first album in Hamburg, Germany. Since then his career has expanded to work within TV and radio, as well as playing in over 40 countries and recording well over 100 different projects. On his travels, he has had amazing opportunities to sit with and learn from master drummers in Africa, Asia and the Pacific which has allowed him to incorporate authentic indigenous rhythms and sounds into his performances. The tuelle (slit drums from Tahiti), Anklungs (bamboo shakers from Indonesia, kutirindingo (Mandinka drum from the Gambia), tama (talking drum from Nigeria) and the Native American flute are some of the many instruments that find a place in Martin’s “world beat” musical tapestry. Martin’s aptitude for playing such diverse styles of music is rooted in his versatility as a player, his love for unique expressions and willingness to continue to learn. This has enabled him to play with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra in Russia, the Country Music Awards night in England, a French punk project with the Stranglers, a tour with Celtic group Iona in Estonia as well as working with the Cook Island drummers in New Zealand and using music as a bridge for reconciliation amongst the Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda. As Martin’s career has developed and grown his interest in other cultures hasn’t just broadened his musical vocabulary as a drummer, it has also opened up a whole world of fascinating projects to him. Martin has used his skills to bring together musicians from different races, creeds and colours to help bring about reconciliation, recognising the huge power that music has to influence the wider community. He has also seen, in many situations, how music can bring hope to the hopeless and a sense of roots and identity to those lost in the melee of situations beyond their control. All this has given him an incredible drive and enthusiasm for his playing and a depth of understanding of the impact of rhythm and sound that goes beyond any normal performance situation. He’s often heard saying with deep gratitude and laughter “I have the best job in the world!”….and maybe…. he has.

Members

OK Here's a selected discography.1981 Rubber Dolls - Meet the Rubber Dolls (Germany) 1983 Frankie and the Flames - The Beerdrop Explodes (UK) 1984 Martyn Joseph - Nobody’s fool (UK) 1984 Dave Marquee Band - The Trumpet Call (UK) 1985 Frankie boy Flame - Frankie Boy Flame (UK)1986 David Fellingham - In Power Resplendent (UK) 1987 Maggie Dawn - No Pretending (UK) 1987 Press any Key - Whisper on the Wind (UK)1988 Press any Key - Flevo Total Festival (Holland) 1989 Martyn Joseph - An aching and a longing (UK) 1989 Marylene Roffidal - Au soleil de l’amour (France) 1990 Graham Kendrick - Make Way (UK) 1990 Noel Richards - By your Side (UK)1990Barry & Batya Seagal - Sh’ma Israel (Israel) !991Kingsway, Various artists - Heaven is in my Heart (UK) 1991Kingsway, Various artists - He is Exalted (UK) 1991 Chris Bowater - Time for Tears (UK)1992 John Pantry - The church invincible (UK) 1992 Adrian Snell - Kiss the Tears (UK)1992 Eddie Espinosa, Bryn Haworth New Wine Worship Vol 4 (UK)1992 Graham Kendrick King of the Nations (UK)1992 Graham Kendrick Crown Him (UK)1993 Graham Kendrick Spark to a Flame (UK)1993 Noel Richards Thunder in the Skies (UK)1993 Dani Comme Never Again (France)1993 David Lyle Morris Faith over Reason (UK)1993 Judy Bailey Misdemeanours after Mid-night (UK)1993 Funky Beehive It’s not usually this quiet (UK)1993 South Asia Concerm Mukti Dil-aye (UK)1993 ICC Records, Matt Redman New Wine Worship Vol 7 (UK)1994 The Black Peppercorns Tumbling ground (USA) 1994 Beyond the Blue All in the Name (UK)1994 Kevin Prosch live Sein Konigreich ist Hier (Germany)1994 Matt Redman Wake up my Soul (UK)1995 Helen Shapiro Nothing but the Best (UK)1995 Matt Redman Passion for your Name (UK)1995 David Fitzgerald Columcille (UK)1995 Paul Oakley, Stewart Townsend Young Lions (UK)1995 Henderson and the Tall Men Illustrious Ride (UK)1995 Survivor Records Various artists Soul Survivor Life 1995 (UK)1995 South Asia Concern Celebrating Together (UK)1996 Kevin Prosch Kiss the Son (USA) 1996 * Bonnie Low Fragile Warriors (NZ) 1996 Adrian Snell City of Peace (UK)1996 Toronto Airport An Audience of One (Canada) 1996 David Lyle Morris Destiny (UK)1996 Kingsway, Various artists Worship Together (UK)1996 Kingsway, Various artists Worship together Live Vol2 (UK)1997 Kevin Prosch Journeys of Life (USA) 1997 * Kevin Prosch & Bryn Haworth Finer things in life (USA)1997 Kevin Prosch An audience of One (Canada)1997 Kingsway, Various artists The Peoples Album (UK)1997 Dave Bilbrough Secret Places (UK)1997 Mike Ruff Man of many parts (UK)1997 Survivor records Various artists The Heart of Worship (UK) 1997 Terl Brant Beauty as far as the eye can see (UK)1997 Martin Smith Cutting Edge 1 (UK)1997 David Fitzgerald Lux Aeterna (UK)1998 Sue Rinaldi Promise Land (UK) 1998 Kevin Prosch Reckless mercy (USA)1998 Survivor records Various artists Now to live the Life (UK)1998 Wayne Drain Come away (UK) 1998 Stuart Wood Soundscapes (UK)1998 Jenny Andrew Smith Repercussions (UK)1998 Kingsway, Various artists World Worship (UK)1998 Matt Redman The Friendship and the Fear (UK)1999 * Jo Vogels Days of Noah (Aus)1999 * Dave Bilbrough Live from Marsham Street (UK) 2000 Matt Redman The Fathers Song (UK)2000 David Lyle Morris Jesus, King of the Ages (UK)2000 Peter Helms God is Love (Germany)2000 Peter Helms Rise up Europe (Germany)2000 Geraldine Latty Make me a channel of your Peace (UK)2000 Stephan Khuen Tabdance (Germany)2000 Vineyard UK Surrender (UK) 2000 Rwandese Choir Mana, Kiza U Rwanda (UK) 2001 Jonathan Veira Life & Soul (UK) 2001 Northumbria Community Waymarks (UK)2001 Norm Strauss Songs of worship and Intercession (Germany) 2001 Peter Helms Maintain your Faith (Germany)2001 Peter Helms & Rene Piet Land van Belofte (Germany)2001 Don’t talk about love Vol 1 (live) Martyn Joseph Live (UK) 2002 Northumbria Community Blessings (UK)2002 Rwandese Choir Rabagirana Rwanda! (UK)2002 Nick and Anita Haigh Celtic Roots and Rhythm 2 Homecom (UK) 2003 * Mark Riley Carry me on (Hawaii) 2003 Elke Rhythms of the Urban Soul (UK)2004 Rwandese Choir Hahirw’ishyanga (UK)2004 Psalm Drummers Psalm Drummers (UK)2004 Viola Grafström Jag hojer min rost och ropar (Swe) 2005 Joseph Anfuso and Friends Bright Blue Rose (USA)2005 Rwandese Choir Heal Africa (UK)2005 Carol Arblaster Brendan Soul (UK)2005 Nick and Anita Haigh Celtic Roots and Rhythm 3 Haven (UK)2005 Bryn Haworth Keep the Faith (UK) 2006 Jo Vogels Compendium (USA)2006 Todd Bentley The Language of Eden (USA)2007 Psalm Drummers Rhythms of Fire (UK)2007 Viola Grafstrom Min Djupaste Langtan (Swe) 2007 Nick Fletcher & Dave Bainbridge The Breaking of the Dawn (UK)2007 Keith Millar True Riches (USA)2007 Ruth Fazal Deeper (Canada)2007 JoAnn McFatter Out of the Blue (USA)2007 Keith & Sanna Luker Deep Calls (USA)2007 Stephen Roach Closer to the burning (USA)2008 Ruth Fazal On and On (Canada)2008 Kirk & Lesley Martin Covenant (USA)2008 Three Point Turn Glad to be Alive (UK) 2008 Dave Hunter Not yet released (USA)2008 Tony Green Mercy through this Perilous Mischance (USA)2008 Dave Bankhead Saviour of Nations (UK)2009 Helen Burgess (UK)2009 Rachel Brooks Wild at Heart (Canada)2009 Zao water Project I Dreamed there was a fountain (USA)2009 * Mark Riley Stones of remembrance (Hawaii)2009 Kevin Prosch & Heidi Baker The Gift (USA)2009 Loren Johnson Fractal (USA)2009 Kevin Prosch and Leonard Jones Artifacts (USA)2010 Seth2010 Anna Cropley2010 Anna Raine2010 Cambodia * Also produced by Martin Neil.Other artists worked with include:Hazel Dean, Nicky Squires, Brother Delphi, Jean-Jacques Burnel (Stranglers), Ricky Valance Frankie Vaughan Big Bamd, Janie Lee Grace, Crannog, Iona, St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, U.K. Beijing Chinese Opera, Linda Page Band, George Moody & the Country Squires, Tony Grifin Band, Larry Norman, Norman Barratt, Phil and John, Ian White, David Ruis, Don Francisco, Judy Bailey, CK Band, Trace Balin Mark McMillan & Mark Mathis.

Influences

I remember a friend sitting with me once in my car and laughing at the music I was currently listening too, The Carpenters, Buckwheat Zydeco and Vangellis. Always listened to a variety of stuff ..... here are some more influences .... The Who, T Rex, Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel, Altan, Flook, Ry Cooder, Buena Vista Social Club, Salif Keita, Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Idan Raichal project, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Alison Krauss, Yinon Muallem, Steve Gadd and Andy New