"Rhythmeen" is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in 1996. This album marks the final collaboration between the band and longtime producer Bill Ham, who had been a key figure in shaping their sound throughout their career.
During the Rhythmeen era, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top was influenced by Rick Rubin, who introduced him to an act called Barkmarket. This led Gibbons to experiment with extremely low tunings, specifically C# and B. The album reflects this experimentation with its distinctive sound. Additionally, Billy Gibbons' fascination with African artifacts began around this time, and several tracks on the album incorporate African tribal percussion.
Gibbons also started wearing the Nudu Hat, woven by the Bamileke tribe in Cameroon, Africa, which became a notable part of his look.
A prominent feature of the album is Gibbons' use of a 1955 Les Paul Goldtop guitar, which is central to the album's sound.
The album's working title was initially "Nearing the Completion Stage," but the band decided to name it Rhythmeen. They chose this title due to the strong presence of a backbeat and a groove throughout the album, which they felt was a defining element. The title reflects their playful approach to naming the album and their focus on creating a feel-good rhythm.
