Here are a few suggestions that have helped me and my students....
There's a book called the Funky Primer (I forgot the author's name) which I use with my students and it's a really really good book with actual grooves that you can use in the studio and it actually has TONS of grooves that have been used in records. Once, you get the groove(s) down, then what you want to do is replace the hi hat part on the ride cymbal and start simple with your left foot. Apply quarter notes on the downbeats, then after you have mastered that then go on the "AN's" of the beat (upbeat), etc. Then add all the eighth notes on the hi hat, and then you can start getting into some more different complex patterns. However, it's all about having that solid foundation. Make sure you're able to play the down and upbeats like second nature before you get into these complex patterns (clave, etc).
I would also suggest Pat Petrillo's book Hands, Grooves, and Fills. As a student of Pat Petrillo, I went through the book and man did it open me up!!!!!! I won't give you an overview of the book, but TRUST me, it will be beneficial for you to get that book. Relating to the topic, Pat has this thing called the Bass Drum Rhythm Charts that you have to read with different groove variations over that (kind of like Gary Chester's New Breed). I think there are 8-10 different ways of doing each rhythm chart. Starting really basic, but then adding different limbs and different movements. He adds the hi-hat on the down beat, upbeat, all eigth notes, splitting the ride and hi hat pattern with the ride, etc. Remember one thing, at first it may seem really weird, but you have to learn how each limb works independently AND interdependantly with each other, but for me the key is to STAY BALANCED!!!!!!!!! When you get the left foot involved sometimes since it's uncomfortable our balance becomes an issue and our groove all of a sudden doesn't exist LOL!!!! So remembered to stay centered and relaxed when adding the left foot. Make sure that the hi hat is open enough to maintain that balance. I see ALOT of cats that barely have their Hi-hat opened and it really is not an ergonomic situation. Just something to think about. How you set up your pedals is also going to effect your balance and staying centered. Ok, sorry I got into something else, but it's something I feel is important. Finally, make sure you do everything SLOWLY!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't be in a rush. It's better to learn something right the first time than to be in a rush, learn it wrong then have to relearn it. Then it takes twice as long because now you have to get it out of your system and relearn what you intended to learn in the first place. I hope this helps. Take care and God bless.
Carlito
p.s. learning how to add that left foot makes your groove sound bigger and now you have even more options to free up another limb....i.e. JoJo Mayer, Steve Smith, Dennis, Vinnie, Weckl and of course "Daddy."
www.myspace.com/juancarlosmendoza
