Kodo's name has multiple meanings; it can be translated either as "children of the drum" or as "heartbeat," the source of all rhythm, and both meanings are entirely applicable. The Japanese ensemble, based on the island of Sado, is the most prominent exemplar of traditional Taiko drumming, although it has moved beyond its pure folk origins to include influences as diverse as the Grateful Dead's drummer
Mickey Hart, Tomita, and other Asian drumming traditions. The group made a sensational international debut at the 1981 Berlin Arts Festival, and since then has divided its time between international touring, performances in Japan, and preparation and practice at its homebase on Sado. This collection, compiled to celebrate the group's 25th anniversary, brings together diverse selections from eight of its previous albums, as well as five new tracks. The selections represent a good sampling of the repertoire -- pieces based on traditional Taiko drumming, as well as collaborations with other instrumentalists. The most satisfying tracks are those that rely most fully on traditional drumming itself, and the vocalizations that sometimes accompany it. The sheer elemental power of
Kodo's drumming is unsurpassed -- the only drawback of a CD is that it lacks the visual impact of the drummers throwing immense energy into their work, but tracks such as Zoku capture at least some of that power. The best way to approximate a live performance of the
Kodo is to turn your volume up to the highest level your ears and speakers can tolerate, and let the sound take hold of you.