Ed Lobo on SoundBetter

Ed Lobo, touring percussionist for Black Comet, brings 30 years of experience as a session, studio, and live musician across Latin America, Europe, and Australasia. He’s collaborated with Fly My Pretties, 1 Drop Nation, and others, blending rhythmic mastery with versatility. Discover his music with Ed and the Shadow Boys at edandtheshadowboys.com.

Ed Lobo, the current touring percussionist for Black Comet, has over 30 years of experience as a sought-after session, studio, and live performer across Latin America, Europe, and Australasia. His career has seen collaborations with renowned acts such as Fly My Pretties, 1 Drop Nation, Ollie Crooks, The Sun Veins, Dioslepague, and Holy Pigs, showcasing his rhythmic mastery and adaptability across genres. A versatile artist, Ed has played an integral role in projects like Tumbador, The Rock Tenors, and the Otepoti All Stars, further cementing his reputation as a cornerstone of the music scene.

Ed’s expertise includes an impressive range of instruments: congas, bongoes, cowbells, chimes, shakers, guiro(a), blocks, percussion effects, loops, and electronic sounds for live drum machines. This versatility allows him to blend traditional and modern percussion seamlessly, delivering dynamic performances that enhance every stage and studio production.

In addition to his work with Black Comet and other bands, Ed leads his own musical project, Ed and the Shadow Boys, blending rhythmic innovation with soulful melodies. His music celebrates his roots while embracing a contemporary edge, creating a sound that resonates across generations. Explore more about Ed’s journey and music at edandtheshadowboys.com.

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Languages

English
Spanish

8 Reviews

Endorse Ed Lobo

by Jovane Blagrove
Verified
This is one of my best experiences on this platform. Ed was most professional and is a perfectionist who didn't compromise passion or quality. I will be reaching out again.

Ed added so much heart to the music.
by Daniel Cortes
I've had the pleasure of working with Ed in various time already, mixing and mastering his arrangements. And I must say he is a great arranger and percussionist, he's got this latin feeling inside that makes you instantly wanna dance. Totally recomended.
by Nathan
Our band recently recorded our first single with Ed in his studio. Ed was a pleasure to work with and helped us a lot through the whole process, which was new to us to make a great track that we are very proud of and are excited to release.
Ed is an exceptional percussionist and adds so much to any genre of music. As a band it is always a pleasure to have Ed preform with us.
Highly recommend 5 stars
by Emma McKinlay
I have recorded with Ed on several occasions. His infectous energy, skill and musicality means he’s a pleasure to work with. Ed can contribute ideas, has an innate understanding of arranging and has a vast musical knowledge. I love working with him.
by Matt Lander
Ed drummed for my band in the Uk & I can honestly say he was one of best drummers & percussionists I’ve played with. He gets the dynamics & his percussion on top of great beats earned him the nickname “Magic Hands” ! Loved playing & producing with Ed :)
by Alan Gray
Ed is an absolute pleasure to work with! I’ve had Ed play drums and percussion on some tracks in the past and will definitely be using him again. His musical knowledge is vast and is happy to throw in some ideas when asked.
by Brendan Christie
Ed is a talented multi-lingual multi-instrumentalist capable of adapting and developing beats to pretty much any genre. He understands dynamics and composition to add great depth to any mix, and records and produces his own music as well as assist others. Recommended.
by Ollie Crooks
I worked with Ed last year on two of my recorded songs. He added percussion layers with a great eye to detail and a creative touch. Ed is a pleasure to work with having both a professional and friendly attitude towards music. Very excited to work with Ed in the Future!

Interview with Ed Lobo

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I am particularly proud of the album I am producing now. I have been lucky enough to travel around the world in the last few months and met incredible musicians, all of whom are featured in my songs. my collaborations and experiences include people from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, United Kingdom,Australia and New Zealand.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am currently recording for a local artist as well as producing my latest album.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Yes, I have worked with an incredible engineer, Daniel Cortes
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I only have digital recording equipment, I can't afford analog.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I guarantee my customers that we would build great relationships long after the first session. many musicians I work with i have worked with since many years ago.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Music is everything to me, I am at my happiest making music
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: the most frequent question is how much do I charge or what specific instruments use, sometimes I have been asked what microphones I have. all these questions I answer in person.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I think there is a general view that percussions are usually not needed for a song, until they hear their songs with percussions, this changes their view straight away.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I ask them about their musical styles, the direction of their music, their future plans, and specifically, I ask them about their songs. the more I know the better
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: If you want a beautiful song enriched of rhythms then give ma a call.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: my cajon, a keyboard, my computer, a controller and my Starlink
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been making music since I was 15 year of age, and 32 years after I am still making music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I do very energetic and full rhythms, suitable for party music.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to do some live house music productions, styles like deep house, funky house, such as Crazy P.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: In my view some of the best produced music I have contributed ti have be pieces where ideas were turned upside down, do be ready to change it all up.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Latin music, Fuink, Reggae, Dance and EDM, but also rock and
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: while I am a proficient percussionist, I'd say that my strongest skill is communication, this, together wth my experience would be my strength.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I would like to think that percussions are very much the cherry on the top for for well made songs. I bring more than 30 years experience in this area and have recorded with a number of artists around the world.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: First I like to have a demo of the composition to work on, usually i require scales and charts, while this is not a must have I feel it helps a lot as i tune all my percussions to the key of the song to work on. i like to work on the clients ideas, the sense and artistic direction of the music to be made.then it is the recording, I would provide either a project or the separate tracks of each instrument.I allow 3 iterations within the recording to finalise the recordings.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a fully ready recording studio with many instruments to choose from. I record mainly with Ableton at high quality sound and bitrate. I have a number of microphone as well as emulators and beat machines.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My musical influences are across various genres, Manu Chao, Willie Colon, Stevie Wonder, Underworld, Crazy P, LCD Soundsystem, Calle 13, Cory Wong, Lettuce. I love the Mowtown style of production
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I record percussion of many types, mostly from my own studio. sometimes I travel to record at designated studios. I sometimes collaborate within the production process and create rhythmical arrangements for songs. Artists are welcome to come and record their music in my studio and I work with a number of mixing and mastering engineers to produce professional songs ready for publishing.