The Buddy Rich estate originally released Birdland — a collection of never before released and exclusive tracks recorded by band member and engineer Alan Gauvin at the peak of Buddy’s career in the mid ’70s with his band Killer Force — in 2015. Featured in the Oscar-winning film Whiplash, this album is a must-have for long time fans and new aspiring drummers looking to study the sheer talent and wow-factor that has made Buddy “the greatest drummer of all time” for decades.

“I joined Buddy in April of ’76 and except for brief absence to deal with family matters I was with him until early 1980. We played all manner of venue on two continents. Smoke filled saloons, concert halls, sports arenas, jazz festivals, colleges, TV and a cruise ship or two. The band worked seven nights a week forty some weeks a year. With the exception of the Christmas holiday breaks it was essentially a three year tour with a couple of short breaks and a European and Japanese trip or two mixed in. I had the impression Buddy would have worked through the holidays as well had no one complained. Turns out, if the man didn’t play his drums for two days straight his hands would ‘attack’ him!” – Alan Gauvin, saxophonist for The Killer Force

This collection of Alan’s best recordings of the Buddy Rich band during this period is now available on 180g Translucent Red Vinyl.