Taiko to Tabla @ Ocean, Hackney - 5th April, 2001
'Taiko to Tabla' is two world-class percussionists, 40 drums on stage and a
skin-tingling, mind-blowing and brilliant fusion of Indian, African and
Japanese drumming. This is expressive and musical drumming at its aural and
visually thrilling best.
I'll paint you a picture. Pete Lockett (tattooed arms, plaster-protected
thumbs and forefinger, fair hair flying and shoeless) attacks his drums
with passion and purpose alternating with sensitive singing drum patterns
from fingers (the tiny tambourine-like Kanjira from south India, pitch
bending with one hand whilst drumming with the other) or voice accompaniment to finger drumming on a frame drum (reminiscent of scat
singing. There is a name for this and I know someone will enlighten me).
Joji Hirota conjures up the spirit of Buddhist temples with bowed brass
gong, bamboo flute and resonating prayer bell. He is intensely in control
of the elements: you 'hear' the birdsong, water falling on stone, the sound
of distant thunder as bongos and taiko take you to a stormy crescendo.
Together they weave, oppose and compliment one
another's techniques. Their Heartbeat finale, playing the huge Japanese Taiko drums with sticks, is
like a display of martial arts or an army at war. The two of them drum in
powerful unison until every atom of the venue is vibrating in a huge Technicolor
soundscape. Outstanding!
Pete Lockett's exploration of rhythm and texture by way of skin, wood,
brush and vocals has taken him to several continents and many collaborations, including Network of Sparks with Bill Bruford, with DJ Luke
Vibert & pedal steel master BJ Cole, and with Sin E's Steafan
Hannigan. There's much more to know and appreciate about this master magician and the
rhythms he conjures. I recommend the following albums, a visit to his website and to get out there and see him 'live':
Network of Sparks featuring Bill Bruford: One (MELT2000) and Taiko to Tabla
recorded live at the Bruges Festival (Zoka-EMI)
Sue Cavendish NET RHYTHMS WEB SITE MUSICAL REVIEWS
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