Billy Martin & G. Calvin Weston
Percussion duets
Dur 55.24
/ 17 tracks / 1995
Amulet
Records
Perc Pick: Juju
fruit
Instruments: Drum set,
An album
recorded by two drummers, Billy Martin being 1/3 of Martin of Medeski, Martin,
& Wood. Basically this Cd is a collection of pieces both composed and
in-the-moment which centre around two drummers on two drumsets and on electronic
drums.
There is a variety of drumming styles, however the album is characterised by
groove. The recording is pretty much straight from the mics, there has been very
little studio trickery or polishing, I find this very refreshing. Both drummers
are very accomplished and creative players and their journey
weaving in and out of each other is full of twists and turns. This is a very
enjoyable album for drummers or anyone who is able to listen to drums on their
own. My only complaint is that the album is very short
Dhol
Foundation
Big Drum Small
World
Dur 63:52
/ 12 tracks / 2001
www.shaktirecords.com www.dholfoundation.com
Perc Pick: Drummers' Reel, Healing
with Turmeric
Instruments: Dhol, Manjira,Dholak, Pakhavaj, duff, Halgi, Kanjira, Tabla, Algozey,
Tumbi. Album based around the
mighty Dhol Drum from
Punjab in Northern India. Johnny Kalsi's Dhol Foundation
based in the UK is probably one of the world's premier Dhol drumming entourages
featuring up to 200 players. This album also features the wonderful Voice of
Natacha Atlas. Johnny is probably best known for his work with Afro Celt Sound System,
Peter Gabriel and Trans Global Underground.
This is an excellent album of live playing mixed with traditional
Indian and contemporary instrumentation. It has a dance
feel throughout. All the instrumental playing on this album is without editing
or looping Johnny tells me. A remarkable feat when you hear the complexity,
speed and accuracy of the playing. For my nerdy drummers' ear I would prefer to
hear more percussion-only
on the CD but this is a highly recommended purchase if you want to get in touch
with this drum which, although having been around for centuries, is only now
drawing the closest attention from percussionists around the
world.
Different
Drums Of Ireland
Different
drums
Dur 16.25
/ 5 tracks / 1998
www.differentdrums.co.uk
Perc Pick: Gavotte
Instruments: Bodhran, Lambeg, Djembe, Tabla, darabouka
These guys are friends of mine so I'd better
be careful what I say! Different drums came about following a visit of Kodo to
N Ireland many years ago. Starting as a cross community exercise, thy now form a
4 piece global touring outfit. They use both the Bodhran and Lambeg drums which
in N Ireland are seen to be the Green and Orange or Catholic and Protestant
drums respectively. Favourite Irish band of President Clinton, frequent
Whitehouse visitors and regulars on the US Festival circuit. The album features
excellent playing of both drums
and use of the Irish Uilleann pipes and whistles.
Different
Drums Of Ireland
A new Day
Dawning
Dur 16.25
/ 9tracks / 2002
www.differentdrums.co.uk
Perc Pick: Biddy McDole
Instruments: Bodhran, Lambeg, Djembe, Tabla, darabouka
Different Drums of Ireland's first full length CD. A unique
collection of tunes that come from or are about N Ireland, at home or in the
wider context and all given the individual Different Drums treatment. An
excellent and original piece of work but then I'm biased as I'm part of the
group now :)
Drum
Army
Wants You!
Dur 39.40
/ 8 Tracks / c1999
www.MP3.com/drumarmy
Perc Pick:
Instruments: mostly drum set plus loops My first ever purchase off the internet! A cheeky collection of
rhythm-based pieces delivered in a tongue in cheek manner. Some good ideas
developed to varying degrees and with variable success. Great samples from
wherever they came. Some of the playing is very good, some is more mediocre. I
see this as a fun CD (DAM CD), if that's your thing, go for it!
Drummers
of Burundi
Drummers
of Burundi
Hands
On'Semble
Tala
Mala
Hands
On'Semble
Shradhanjali
Eitetsu
Hayashi
Haru
Eitetsu Hayashi
Solo, Live in warehouse 1982-
Harald
Weiss
Trommelgeflüster
Dur 38.29
/ 2 Tracks / 1983
ECM records
http://www.ecmrecords.com/ecm/artists/571.htm Perc Pick: Part 1
Instruments: everything including the Kitchen
sink
I
heard extracts from this album first in 1986 and thought it was the strangest
thing I had ever heard, now I love it! This is niche-market stuff, but I am
very glad that I visited this particular niche. Harald plays the entire album
solo and I believe in one take. His instrumentation includes drum
set,
gongs, metallophone, steel pan, templeblocks, crotales, voice and more.
Both songs on the album (23 & 15 minutes) have a wonderful style
of composition and cover a huge range of dynamics and timbres. Harald is given
to muttering and reciting non-sensical phrases which add to the esoteric nature
of the CD. The pieces are constantly on the move and are apt to change
direction suddenly without warning. This is a strange album but it is
wonderful, if you feel like reaching out into something a bit more challenging
in the percussion line, I heartily recommend Trommelgeflüster, it's
class!
Harem
Rhythm Colour
Dur 46.28
/ 12 tracks / c1998
www.megamuzik.com
Perc Pick: Yasar
Instruments, Darbouka, djembe , Tabla, Riqq, Bendir, Davul,
Zills
A friend
bought this for me in Turkey and haven't seen
it available elsewhere unfortunately. Excellent album based on Turkish, mid-eastern and
North African percussion, It also features tabla. The pieces are
all original compositions, and are highly structured, demonstrating the
wonderful range of sounds and playing styles of these instruments. I would
recommend this album highly to anyone interested in listening closely to the
percussion music of the Middle East.
Harem
II
Time of Rhythm
Dur 76.45
/ 16 tracks / c2000
www.megamuzik.com
Perc picks: Dub-The-Buka,
Nirvana solo
Instruments Darbouka, djembe , Tabla, Riqq, Bendir, Davul,
Zills
This album is a significant departure from the previous 'Rhythm Colour' album. To my ear,
the musicians
have taken the tracks from the first album, chopped them into loops, added dance
beats and perhaps added a few overdubbed pieces. Although I do like to hear
contemporary 'world beat' music
and am guilty of working in this medium myself, I find this a long variation on
a limited number of themes, several of the tracks are remixes
of tracks already on the album.
Where there is 'straight' playing it is of the highest calibre,
however the heavy reliance on the looped structures of the songs
could make this disappointing to anyone who buys it expecting an authentic
treatment of Turkish,
Middle Eastern and North African Percussion rather than an album aimed at DJs.
Some bits of it really do kick!
Joji
Hirota
Rain
Forest Dream
Dur 50.56
/ 8 tracks / 1990
Saydisc
No website
given
Perc Pick Demon Dance
Joji is a Japanese percussionist, now based in London. I have seen
Joji perform on a number of occasions in various groupings. His liner notes
mirror his lyrical style of playing and he explains the pieces beautifully in
the notes. Although originally a taiko player, his percussive arsenal goes around the globe and
his style of playing and composition reflects that. What is also reflected is
the sensitivity and respect for space in his compositions. I have found this to
be a trait among Taiko players, which may seem strange but big drums can very
quickly become overpowering unless played with discipline, focus and a sense of
proportion, this same thought and focus is very apparent throughout this CD.
Tracks range from full-on Taiko pieces to esoterica using bowed Chinese temple
bowls and gongs. An excellent CD, well played and well recorded, conjuring up
many images for the listener.
Joji
Hirota
The
Gate
Kodo Get their own section!
Mondo Head
Kodo
Ibuki (great)
Kodo
Warabe (too much flute)
Kodo
Live at Acropolis (every home should have one)
Kodo
Blessings of the Earth (good)
Kodo
Best of II (1994-1999) (Very good)
Kodo
Best of- (1993) (very good)
Kodo
Sai-So (Excellent in parts)
Kodo
Tsutsumi (very good)
Kodo
Heartbest drummers of Japan (good average recording
quality)
Kodo
Yosuke Yamashita in Live (poor)
</kodo>
Mamadou
Sidibe & inhabitants of Tambacounda
Village
Djembe Drumming
Dur 51.59
/ 15 tracks / 1999
www.MP3.com/sidibe
Perc Pick: N'Gri
Instruments: Djembe, Dunun, Donso Ngoni
An
assortment of authentic field recordings from Senegal, some ceremonial and some
performed in the bush. The standard percussion ensemble on this recording is
djembe and dunun, these can be accompanied by singing and a beautiful stringed
instrument
called a donso ngoni. As with the Mamady Keita Cds, the rhythms are
irresistible although the performances are obviously in-the-moment rather than
in-the-studio. Although the limitations of the source recording equipment are
apparent (sounds like a single pair of mics) the recordings capture the
authenticity and spirit of the occasions and the locations. Purchasing Cds like
this help to support the villages in question and I'd encourage you to do so if
you like what you hear at MP3.com. This is the real thing!
Mamady
Keita
Nankama
Dur 59.13
/ 11 tracks / 1992
Fonti
Musicali
(no
website available)
Perc Pick: Sunu - diansa
Instruments: Djembe, Dunun, Sangban, Kenkeni, Djabara, Krin
One
could almost say verbatim about this album as the earlier Wassolon CD, awesome playing from a drummer who is
regarded as the Grand Master of the Djembe, fabulous speed and articulation with soloing
strategies that work with, against and through the stable base rhythms. It is
difficult as a percussionist to hear recordings such as those by Mamady without
needing to play along on your knees or whatever comes to hand. From my
experience (and I am by no means an expert in WA music), any Cd by Mamady Keita
represents the excitement of the firecracker West African style. In my opinion
this CD is just about a better listen than
Wassolon. This is a natural recording without any effects or studio trickery -
awesome stuff
Mamady
Keita& Sewa Kan
Wassolon
Dur 62.11
/ 11 tracks / 1989
Fonti Musicali
No website
available
Perc Pick:Soli
Instruments: Djembe, Dunun, Sangban, Kenkeni, Djabara.
Mamady Keita, one of the foremost djembe players in the world today, considered by many to
be a Grand Master, is featured here with band Sewa Kan playing
music
of the Mandingo Tradition. This is blistering stuff. Super-fast and
super-accurate playing with superb articulation of the sounds of the
instrument. Performed alongside the voices and rhythmic instruments of the West
African tradition these come together to give such a heady blend that it is
impossible not to feel the desire to move to it.
Drum Circle regulars
will recognise many of the rhythmic patterns instantly, I expect that few will
hear this quality of playing at their local gathering. This is a naturalistic
recording without effects or overdubbing. - Marvelous - enjoy
Master of the forest
Mystique
D'Afrique
Dur 46.34 / 12 tracks /
1992
No Website
available
Perc Pick
Soli.
Instruments
Djembe, Dunun, Sangban, Kenkeni,
Djabara, Krin
More Firecracker stuff
from this afro/american CD. The CD features an impressive gathering of African
and US musicians such as Mohammed Sano, Yamoussa Camara, Paolo Mattioli,
Charmaine Hubbard and Brad Dutz. The Cd cover advertises high energy West
African dance rhythms and you won't be disappointed, this is pretty full on for
most of the tracks, very reminiscent of Mamady Keita's CDs and for WA music fans
and players, that can't be a bad thing. Great CD, highly
recommended
Megadrums
- Coreana
Megadrums 
- Terra Nova
Mickey Hart
Supralingua
Mugenkyo
Mugenkyo
Nihon Daiko
Japanese Drums
Oedo Sukeroku
Taiko
Les Tambours de Tokyo - The
Drums of Tokyo
Pete Lockett & Joji
Hirota
From Taiko to Tabla
(Live)
Pete Lockett's Network of
Sparks Feat Bill Bruford
One
Dur 62.55, 10 Tracks,
2001
Melt
2000
www.petelockett.com
Perc Pick
Full On
Instruments
Great album by one of
Europe's finest percussionists. The Album Features Bill Bruford whom proggers
will know as the drummer for Yes and Genesis at times, also playing are the
mighty Johnny Kalsi from the Dhol
Foundation on Dhol, Nana Tsiboe on djembes and congas and Simon Limbrick on
mallets. Given that one of Pete's mainstays is the tabla, it is unsurprising
that the music is complex and explosive. I have picked the final track 'Full
On' as the pick as it features Johnny Kalsi, the phenomenal Dhol player and because it brings everyone
together and has one of the most complex yet memorable passages I have yet to
encounter to open and close the piece. The instrumentation is even more varied
than the personnel and includes instruments from Japan, Africa, India, Middle
East and Latin America. Pete displays incredible skill and speed on many
instruments, but I really liked Voices Apart which is a solo for tar (a framedrum) and voice where Pete recites
the Indian phonetic system (bols) over
the top of and along with the rhythm Pete explains part of this rhythm on Eric
Stuer's superb Rhythmweb site. So If you're into 7/5, top grooves well played
and well recorded visit Pete's Site. I do have one request for Pete, I would
have liked to have heard a duet between Pete on his Floor Kit and Bill on the
main kit, maybe next time.
Portland Taiko
Making Waves
RMMP -
Trax from the net Volumes 1 & 2
Vol 1Dur, 12 tracks,
2001
Vol 2 Dur?, 12 tracks,
2001
Perc Pick
James Varty, George Lawrence.
Instruments -
Drum set and percussion
This Cd is a
compilation from some of the subscribers to the Rec.Music.Makers.Percussion
newsgroup. The version of the album which I have unfortunately does not play
CD2, so I am unable to review that one. Given that a public drum forum attracts
players of all abilities and musical directions, there is a wide variation in
the music and playing quality on Vol 1. Before receiving the CD, I had been
expecting to get countless drum solos, however there is only one on Vol1 and I
have chosen that as the one of the Perc picks because technically I think it is
extremely well executed and shows a lot of thought toward structure and
strategy, James' kit is very accurately and thoughtfully tuned, it is well
recorded (although the hats are a bit too close for my taste), It's a great
listen. The other is George Lawrence's track and it has been chosen for
entirely different reasons, George is a professional player and many wannabe
pros would well to listen to how George does his thing. Think Pocket!
The other tracks are
taken from bands or recording projects and provide an enjoyable eclectic mix, It
is strange to listen to an album and be able to recall details and personal
impressions, sometimes even a face for individuals who sometimes feel like
family. Several of the contributors to this Cd are also contributors to the
drumset section which in itself is almost entirely donated by RMMP subscribers.
Props to James and George, and to everyone else who had stuff ready for
inclusion and to Jeff Speegle for pulling it together.
Rocky
Maffit
Cd with stunning book
Rhythm & beauty, so good it gets a mention in the CD section!
Steve Reich and
Musicians
Drumming
Dur 56.43 / 4 tracks /
1987
Elektra /
Asylum
No website
available
Perc Pick:
Part 4
Instruments:
Bongos, Marimbas, Glockenspiels
This has become
standard listening for music and drum students it seems. The entire album is
based around a single 12/8 pattern XXX-X-XXX-X-. Part 1 starts with a single
beat played on bongos with sticks, then two then three and builds to four
drummers playing all 12 beats then reduces back down to a single beat, Part two
transfers this pattern to 3 marimbas played by nine players, Part three moves to
three Glockenspiels with four players and Part four is all together. The effect
is extremely soothing and is very water like, the pattern although feeling
standardised, is continually changing by very small degrees. In my opinion, I
find it a bit too introspective for everyday listening, I have it heard
described as 'like watching paint dry' which I disagree with, however there is
certainly a time and place for this album and when you are in that place at that
time, it is beautiful.
Tabla Beat Science 
- Tala Matrix The rhythm
of Indian music is geared to long cycles, often 16 beats. These recurring cycles
are known as a tala. Each tala has a different point of emphasis, which can give
rise to an almost limitless amount of possibilities.
Taufiq
Rhydhun
Dur 49.14 / 9 tracks /
2000
CMP
records
www.silvascreen.co.uk
Perc
Pick:Ear to there
Instruments: Taiko, Djembe, Cajon, Berimbau, Tar, Duff,
Chanda, Kafimba, Manjira, Naubat, Chundka, Udu, Gongs, Talking drum, Vudka
Taufiq is the brother
of Zakir Hussain and the son of Ustad Allarakha, both of whom appear throughout
the album. This recording was made only a few days before the death of Ustad
Allarakha and the poignancy of this is not lost when listening to the album.
Although featuring Zakir Hussain, one of the world's best known tabla players
and Shankar on violin, this album does not concentrate on Indian music, although
the themes are ever-present. The Cd includes many instruments from around the
globe, Taiko, djembe, cajon, berimbau, tar, &
electronica are all represented, the use and variation of time signatures is
excellent. This album had instant appeal and repeat-button worthiness, however
I find now that it does not hold the depth of interest for me that it once did,
perhaps it's a little clinical, melodic lines are too obvious or maybe I've over
heard it. I know certainly that the use of plastic-skinned djembes is an
instant turn-off for me no matter how well played. With that said there are
some wonderful grooves and blends and I am glad that I have it in my
collection
Thai Elephant
Orchestra
Yes, percussion played by Thai
elephants - It's great!! These elephants have been 'saved' from ill
health / danger and live on a reservation where they are protected. The
instruments are specially constructed to take elephant-force playing and have a
surprising non-elephantine sound to them. I have put this on in the background
when friends have been at mine and they don't believe it's elephants. If you
like the sound of the gamelan then you'll love this. There are a couple of
non-elephant tracks towards the end as well as some tracks of the elephants
trumpeting (would that be singing ) and playing synthesisers. My favourite has
to be the elephants playing the harmonicas, apparently they enjoy it so much
they don't want to stop.
Van Leve
Dur 31.17 / 10 tracks / no
date
Poli
disc
No website
abailable
Perc Pick:
Kunde
Instruments:
Ka, Gros Ka, Bongo & Misc percussion
Hailing from the
Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, Van Leve produce a fabulous high energy
djembe-like sound from the barrel construction bucket shaped drums called Ka.
The Rhythms are fast accurate and infectious. This is a Cd that I got from a
Friench friend who lived in the Caribbean and it came to me minus liner notes so
I have little information to impart apart from the fact that it is rocking! It
is reminiscent of some of the West African djembe playing but without the
accompaniment of the trio of dunun, sangban and kenkeni. One of the members of
the group sings a couple of the songs, but he is definitely a better drummer
than singer, however this is the only example I have of this style of playing
from this part of the world and authenticity is the key. Great Cd, far too
short!
Various
Percussions
D'Afrique
Dur 53.44 / 11 tracks / no
date
Productions
Sunset, France
No website
available
Perc Pick
Were were
Instruments
Balafon, Djembe, Dunun, Sangban,
Kenkeni
One of those
infuriating Cds where the liner notes advertise other albums by the same company
rather than giving you details of who is doing what etc, Grrr. Fortunately,
they did give track names and instrumentation on the outer cover. This a
series of field recordings made in Cameroon and Senegal and features the balafon
throughout (although it sounds like an amadinda to me sometimes). The playing is
not so intense as some of the other African field recordings reviewed on the
site but It is very enjoyable none the less. If you listen in headphones, you
are liable to dizzy spells as the stereo mic must have been hand-held and does
move around somewhat. Good Cd of authentic rhythms performed in authentic
settings. Listen out for the hocketing on the balafon (hocketing is playing in
between someone else's beats, see section on Amadinda)
Various
The World of Drums &
percussion Vol II
CMP
Various
Between Heaven &
Earth (Gamelan - beautiful)
Various
Soul of
Percussion
Various
World Percussion
Dur 67.22 / 32 Tracks
1999
Music
Masters
www.vci.co.uk
Perc
Pick: Too many
Instruments:
Too many to list
An excellent
compilation of traditional, contemporary and some orchestral percussion from the
four corners of the globe - as the sub heading of the album states "big beats
from Bali to Brazil and Cuba to the Cameroon". If you are interested in hearing
many of the world's different styles of percussion either as an introduction or
just as a collection of related pieces then you should check this CD out. Very
well recorded and produced, it flows well for such an eclectic composition.
This is not an expensive album and I highly recommend it for its
representativeness. Average track length 2.5 minutes.
Reviews 