Tataku: Best of Kodo II 1994-1999

Kodo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony/Red Ink
• ASIN: B000056T6T
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,726 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Far East & Asia
  • #85 in Music > World Music > Far East & Asia > Japan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal percussion album, March 3, 2001

By 

Moses Alexander (Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Tataku: Best of Kodo II 1994-1999 (Audio CD)

This CD contains a good mix of stuff, both traditional & untraditional/experimental/fusion stuff. "Shake-Itsukamata" will have you up & dancing within about 2.4 seconds (if it takes that long.) It is propulsing & driving and everything fast, loud and rowdy one would want from a percussion ensemble. The cymbals are awesome.

"Ucho No Uta" is one of the newer style pieces. It has some atmospheric keyboard stuff on it. Although it is the worst track on the album it still isn't bad, it would be good morning exercise music I suppose.

"Kirna's Theme" is a short flute piece and a suprise inclusion considering there is NO percussion on it. It is very pretty though.

"Aoki Kazi" is quite stirring, it includes some string instruments as well as flute & drums. Very moving piece, it reminds of something that might have been on the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" soundtrack. (I'm not saying that Chinese & Japanese music sound alike, but there is a similar synthesis of percussion with western sounding forms.) It is a definate highlight.

"Nanafushi" has an irresistable groove, the main drums are similar to western snare drums and have almost a marching band feel to them (Japanese style marching band of course.) To make an interesting comparison is "Nanafushi" next to "Strobe's Nanafushi." This is from the famous Kodo: Remix cd. You could easily hear this song in a loud nightclub in Tokyo, New York or London. Fun & driving...and completely untraditional.

"Bird Island" is a frentic piece with flutes & drums. One can just imagine themselves surrounded by birds that are singing their hearts out. This one is very cool.

The disc closes with "Niji No Nagori" which is one of the strongest tracks on the CD. It is a slow piece that incorporates not only drum & flute, but also various percussion devices, handclapping & voice (which is a very nice touch.) Eventhough there is some fast drumming in it, the slow flute part makes it seem like a slow groove. THe voice is amazing. It is the perfect closer for the disc.

This would be a perfect intro to the world of KODO, or all of taiko style drumming for that matter.

Highly recommended.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant mix by a wonderful group, March 20, 2002

By 

J. Moore "hierophant" (Garden of Earthly Delights) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tataku: Best of Kodo II 1994-1999 (Audio CD)

This is a great mix of Kodo's music. It's almost tough to appreciate how good they are if you've never seen them live. Thes are a band of dedicated athlete / musicians who's performances are spectacular to watch and listen to.

This album is a good collection of their stuff form some of their other albums. I particularly enjoy the last track "Niji no Nagori" which includes haunting vocals and tremendous dynamic and rhythmic range.

If you are a Kodo fan , you will love this album. If you're new to Kodo, this is a good album to get a sense of their range.

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Japanese Drums, December 31, 2007

By 

T. Hubbell "Writer" (Hollywood CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tataku: Best of Kodo II 1994-1999 (Audio CD)

The track, Shake, all by itself is worth the price of the album. The album is a rhythmic journey; hypnotic, intricate, other worldly, yet very much Japanese.