Customer Reviews

Mondo Head [SACD]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

...then you might not like this.

This CD really gives one the feel that Kodo recorded these tracks and let Mickey Hart do as he wished. What's more, that's exactly what happened! Unfortunately, almost ALL the taiko on this CD sounds like either an afterthought or is buried under the "busy-ness" of it all.
Tracks 1 and 5 are a blend of 5-7 different artists, and unfortunately, the taiko part sounds "cut and pasted" into the tracks. There doesn't seem to be any reason to have taiko in the middle other than to have a different sound. Sometimes the taiko is providing a base beat or cyclical rhythm, but these chunks in the middle seem disconnected and isolated.

As for the good stuff - Track 10, Kashira, is a taiko-heavy piece that Kodo actually plays in concert. It's quite good, and although there are added instruments to it, the taiko is the focus.
Track 2 is a real treat - singer Yoko Fujimoto wails reminiscent of American Indian chanting. It sounds a bit new-agey, but it really doesn't get into that feel.

There are things to like about this album, but if you're looking for Kodo, buy another CD. I suggest Tataku, Tsutsumi, and Warabe. If you're looking for a Mickey Hart CD, it's pretty good except for the taiko issues I mentioned above.

There are no "pan pipes" here. This is glorious, inventive, adventurous stuff from some of the planet's premiere percussionists.

The structure and tunes seem to be much more heavily influenced by Mickey Hart than by Kodo's traditional approach. Nevertheless, this is new for Kodo, but not a total break.

Anybody who thinks that Kodo should stick to its "time honored traditions" doesn't really know Kodo very well. An important part of their raison d'etre is to bring the world closer together through percussion, which they have done through both concerts and recordings. In Japan, they often play with avant garde jazz musicians (Yamashita, Hino, Umezu) as well as percussionists from Hawaii, Senegal, Brazil, and more -- and even the occasional American gospel singer (Lacey Wright). This year's "Earth Celebration" guests were Airto Moreira and friends, who appear on "Mondo Head". If you want a taste of the international fusion, the absolutely over-the-top must-have CD is "Gathering" -- raw, exciting, exhausting, occasionally imperfect, and unlike anything you've ever heard before. It's too bad they don't bring this sound to the U.S. more often.

Mickey Hart's "newage" (rhymes with "sewage") liner notes aside, the best of this album is absolutely electric. If you had asked me if taiko and tablas could be combined in this way, I'd have told you no, but they pull it off with incredible finesse.

If you can have only one Kodo CD, get "Gathering". If you can have two, add one stocked with straight-up taiko (maybe "Ubu-Suna"; "Live at the Acropolis" leaves me a little cold for some reason). If you can have three, buy this album, and listen to it again and again -- there's always a deeper layer. Listen in the car, listen on your home stereo, listen with the bass turned up -- it sounds different and fresh every time.

This SA-CD of KODO is nothing short of amazing. Especially, tracks 7 and 10. If you enjoy percussion instruments and want to experience a totally enveloping encounter, this is the SA-CD to own. It's great to show others exactly what multi-channel SA-CD and DVD-Audio can deliver. The detail of simple wind chimes, finger cymbals rise above the pulsating beat, clear and precise.
Highly recommended . . . . 5 Stars!!!

George is right on the mark with his review! I only have a 20 SACD collection so far, but this particular disc is the best sounding of them all. Spatial information is incredible, clarity and presense are both amazing. The bass isn't saturated, it's fast, clear and subtle yet has immense power. The actual music is indeed a beautiful blend of Asian and African. Both the stereo and surround mixes are extremely well done. Highly recommended.

Now! If you are a Kodo fan maybe you will not life this album but if you are a Hart fan this album is really great.
We live on a small planet(drum) and there are some fundamental links between different musical cultures and M.Hart and friends are exploring them evn more so on this album.
A Pleasure

This is an amazing disc! Sound quality is on par with the very best. Played back thru a true reference audio system, this disc will make your feet start moving. Also an acid test for a top notch audio system. I own a high end audio store and this disc has sold several PMC speaker systems for us...the same ones used to master the disc. Highly recommended!

If you're into panpipes buy this. I'm not and I find this to be a real waste of the Kodo drummer's talents. Many groups could have drummed on this disc, for the talent required of this music it really doesn't take Kodo drummers. What's more upseting is that they're responsible for writing all the music. It's just pop, and if you like pop then you can do worse, but if you're into world music, please try anything else in the Kodo repertoire.

This is a great c.d. Any band worth their salt is going to expand their horizons by exploring new styles. If you like kodo, percussion, and Micket Hart, then you will love this c.d. If you want to hear the same tired sounds, then go and listen to the same tired c.d.s

If you want another traditional taiko CD, this is probably not your thing. Otherwise, this is an awesome album. Mickey Hart again brings together musicians from all over the world to create an eclectic percussion-centered mix.

Mondo Head has some of the best beats I have heard from Hart. The best thing about this album is that every track has its own appeal, from the rocking introduction to the powerful chanting on track 2 to the ethereal singing of the last track. The best songs are 1 and 3. This is music that will stay in your head!

Mondo head from Kodo is a real world drums experience.
It is an excellent combination of sounds, tones, percusion and musical harmony. I really enjoy it.