Customer Reviews

Mondo Beat 2

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This album features masters of percussion from around the world, but it is rather uneven in quality. The opening cut "Ceremony of Passage" by Greg Elis/Vas is exciting, with rhythms reminiscent of Santana and Rusted Root. But the rest of the album does not hold up to this excellent opening cut. The mix of instruments, from tabla, dohl, sitar, Aftrican drums, bells, wood flute and synthesizer, is interesting, but the total effect of all the selections is not harmonious together on one CD.

There are a few good jazz selections, "Wheel of Time" by Mickey Hart and Planet Drum in particular, but the rest of the album just doesn't hang together. Unless you are an afficionado of the artists on this album, I'd probably not recommend it.

What's included:
Ceremony of Passage-- Greg Ellis/Vas
Secret Channgel-- Tabla Beat Science from "Tabla Matrix"
Downtown-- Gabrielle Roth and the Mirros from "Zone Unknown"
Iridian-- Dhol Foundation from "Big Drums Small World"

Wheel of Time-- Mickey Hart & Planet Drum from "Supralingua"
Batuka do Indio--Airto Moreira (never released before)
The Tree of Rhythm--Taufiq
Kenny Clarke Charlie Eatts Jim Keltner Project
Journey to JungleMoon Brent Lewis
Kuromo -- Kisuru Adepoju and Afrika Heartbeat
Duden (Spooky Remix) Natacha Atlas

I found this comp to be a good mix of creative rhythm from around the world. I enjoyed the combination of South Indian sounds mixed with African instruments in certain tracks, my personal favorite being The Tree of Rhythm. Some good tabla and a very pleasant, upbeat mix in general.