Customer Reviews

Circle of Drums (Hybr)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first recording put out since Babatunde Olatunji passed away in 2003. Circle of Drums radiates with the spirit of drumming. Three drum masters: Baba Olatunji, P-Funk/Weather Report percussionist Muruga Booker, and long time Olatunji collaborator Sikiru come together and explore the rhythm, tone, and over tones of the drum and voice.
Not to be over looked, is the amazing mix by Chesky records. The mix brings the drums to life. It's like you are there. This CD plays on both regular CD players and SACD players. I do not own an SACD player but when I finally heard Circle of Drums on a surround sound SACD system I was blown away. It was as if I was surrounded by a circle of drummers and the clarity was amazing.
Circle of Drums is perfect to dance to, trance to, meditate to, or just enjoy. Baba Olatunji will be missed.

Just the excellent job of mixing done by Chesky alone is worth the money. An outstanding job of sound engineering.

Enjoy,
W

This CD is one of those rare gems that are only superbly recorded (for me the best from Chesky Records), has musical soul and it transports you to a place beyond ... The drums have huge dynamics, character, musicality, culture, originality and an audiophile recording to top with.

Super Highly Recommended

This is an excellent CD and I enjoyed it very much. It has a real spiritual energy to it and the drumming is top notch. Great sounding mix too.

One of the last studio recordings Olatunji did is preserved here in a high quality mix. The Chesky label did have a certain level of commitment to Olatunji's music. In the mid-to-late 90's this was originally recorded on the west coast and at that time Baba talked about it as suitable for use in dance and drumming classes. Maruga Booker pursued Baba to do this recording over the span of a long friendship. Because of that relationship the great ease of the playing comes through and probably has not a little bit to do with that Sikiru Adepoju, one of Baba's oldest and most trusted collaborators, is the third set of hands here. The tracks are mostly longer grooves that become atmospheric and have a somewhat informal quality. This is a recording that could only come from artistic and cultural pursuits centered in the pure pleasure of the music. The three drummers greatly enjoyed and respected one another which could only contribute to the relaxed feel of the playing on this recording. The tracks go from mellow to soaring passages and overall the sounds are stately in mood, they run deep and way ahead of a listener's expectations. It is very interesting to hear Olatunji's ancient drumming knowledge teamed up with a high fidelity technology that was leaning in to the 21st century. But perhaps the technical wizardry of surround-sound is a bit superfluous here. However, it does capture with a very fine timbre the joy of the drummers.

The drumming of this African hero (iba t'orun) and his contribution to African music cannot be understated. This is a great album.