THE BLACK DRUM: Rakshasa

The Black Drum

Rakshasa

© 2006 Kevin Hartnell (659696131828)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

A recording of Middle Eastern, Balkan, African drums & percussion featuring traditional rhythms as well as progressive, tribal fusion belly dance inspired variations that are used in arrangements ranging from high energy solos to dark and atmospheric piec

tracks

1 Malfuf, Fast Ayuub
2 Karsilama, Lod 9, Turkish 9
3 Big Masmoodi
4 Lod 11/8, Brancek, Malfuf, Ayuub
5 Falahi, Funky 4
6 Bolero, 6/8
7 Maqsum, Beladi
8 Saiidi, Debke
9 Kuka-karatchi
10 Dueling Tupans (till Bruno)
11 Zar, 6/8, 12/8
12 The Shifty Chiftitelli
13 6,6,6 (three 6/8's)

notes

THE BLACK DRUM is a musical project by Kevin "Nevik" Hartnell.
A lifetime of drumming and inspirations from all over the world are fused together in this solo project. After having worked with many other diverse musical groups over the years, Nevik dives head first into nothing but drums (sounds painful, eh?). The Black Drum features, tupan, darbuka, ashiko, riq, zils, muzhar, tar, bells, and various percussion. Compositions are aimed at those who enjoy drums, bellydance, and percussive grooves.

"Rakshasa"
This is the first release by The Black Drum. "Rakshasa" is filled with tracks of drums & percussion that are heavily influenced by Middle-Eastern, African, and (inevitably) Western drum styles. This is also the first release for the L.O.D. (Legion Of Doumbek) label.

reviews

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  • The Black Drum
    author: Chrys davison

    Absolutely could not sit still!! I love this stuff!

  • THE BLACK DRUM
    author: Dorothy

    What can I say!!! As always I'm not at all disappointed in the music you have put out there. To be so talented and heart-driven . Drums, the ultimate beat to every man and womans primitive soul. Give me more and more and more.

  • Better than hoped
    author: Victoria Walker

    I saw them play at the renaissance festival in texas and fell in love with their music. The cd lived up to my expectations and then some.....awesome!

  • It's the Ticket!!!
    author: Phyllis Igbineweka

    This must be the music I dreamed of having for my belly dance work. This music contains just what I need whether practice or performance!!! This is my belly dance musical magic.

  • SO much talent packed into such a small disc!!!!
    author: Stephanie

    If you like percussion, BUY THIS! I now get housework done in half the time! This cd is awesome and I'm buying more for Christmas gifts!!! :) 5 STARS!

  • A rhythmic delight!
    author: Jeanette J.

    This up-tempo percussion music makes me wish I knew how to dance! Mind you, this hasn't stopped me from turning it up full-volume and "dancing" around the house when no one else is home. This music is full of energy and ranges in mood, from frenetic joy to exotic mystery. Great fun to listen to -- highly recommended.

  • Amazing!!!
    author: Amanda White

    Kevin's CD is phenominal!! I simply LOVE it!! It's a perfect mix of both fast and slow percussion...great for belly dancing or meditation. :) My 3 year old son loves it too..he rocks out to it, banging along on anything that makes noise! LOL Thanks so much! I look forward to hearing more from you!

  • I love it!
    author: Lorraine

    This cd is AWESOME! I have listened to it for about 2 weeks solid now, ever time I get in the car. I can't stand to listen to anything else. I just hope my steering wheel holds up to me trying to play along on it. This is a must have for anyone into percussion. It is well put together and ALL the tracks are great.

  • This Effin Rocks
    author: Ryan Effin Spencer

    This is an extraordinary C.D. Its well produced, intresting, and very dynamic. Just all around good album wheather you just want somthing to jam to, or really listen to, to pick apart and think about. Very well done!

  • Great percussion-only CD for bellydancers!
    author: Sunayna

    I found this CD while looking for new music to bellydance to. So often, trying to find good *original* music is a chore, and it's even harder when looking for music without vocals. I discovered this CD and have yet to take it out of my CD player. I even listen to it at work! I absolutely love it and recommend it especially to bellydancers who want something new and percussion-only to dance to. Namaste!

  • I love this CD!
    author: Sonjirey

    It is so hard to find a good percussion CD, I think I finally found one that reflects my style. This CD is HOT!!!

  • Best CD I've heard in a long time!
    author: Sonny

    I love this CD! The energy is just great. Some of the songs would be great with just the basics and this fabulous energy, but Kevin mixes it up with so many beautiful dynamic changes that it is always fresh. Best CD I've heard in a long time!

  • If you love someone buy them this cd!
    author: Bryian "Eidiard" Winner

    A well thought out and finely executed piece of work. It is a joy to listen to. It will have you after you listen to it a few times banging on something along with the songs. Drummers will be awed by his flawless execution and the non-drummer can listen to him paint a landscape unlike anyone else can with this kind of a musical blend. If Buddy Rich were alive today, he would want to own this one!

  • A must have for anyone into percussion!
    author: Jordana bint Zweena

    This CD is out of this world! It has the warmth and fullness of live music which normally is lost in digital format. Edgy and artistic but still very traditional, and a pleasure to belly dance to! A supurb hit!

  • THIS CD ROCKS!!!
    author: Sunayna

    I came across this artist and his work quite by accident, but Im very glad that I did! What a great CD!! Speaking as a bellydancer, the rhythms are complex enough to make dancing to it a fun challenge yet simple enough that the basic beats are easily found. I love this compilation and plan on sharing it with my fellow dancers. :)

  • Very tight...!
    author: Malcolm Eugene Core

    Flawless drumming...I have had this repeating in the car for a couple of weeks now and love it. The tempo from song-to-song changes enough to keep you guessing what is coming next. A must have for Drum Enthusiasts, Dancers and Hippies alike....just kidding (Although Hippies WILL love it).

  • A superb addition to Middle-Eastern drum discography
    author: Jeff Webb

    This is a high energy percussion recording featuring favorite rhythms but arranged in a new and dynamic way. There are some slower moving pieces, but even these are filled with energy and passion. I am very pleased with my copy and have played it over and over again. All drummers and wannabes should buy this CD and dancers will love it too.

  • Fantastic CD for drummers, dancers and casual listeners!
    author: Jay

    I absolutely LOVE this CD. It's full of fun and quirky rythms that will keep your toe tapping or belly wiggling. There are some great slow songs and some nice upbeat ones too. I will say that to truly appreciate it you need to listen to it on a home stereo system because some of the sublte stuff doesn't come through on boom boxes or car systems (at least not mine). And it's really worth it to hear the complexity of the pieces in all their glory. I can't wait for the next release from this guy!! I've had the pleasure of hearing him live and I think we'll be seeing some amazing stuff from him in the future.

  • Awesome percussion-only album with kickin' grooves!
    author: Rune

    This is a great percussion only CD! It's a middle-eastern oriented percussion album (rhythms and instruments), and is pretty much flawlessly executed. Each of the tracks has a decidedly different feel and flavor too, so it avoids having that "been there, done that" feeling you can get after having listened to only 3 or 4 tracks on some CDs. It's an interesting listen and also good to practice to if you're into drumming. Also, it would probably make a great cd to use for dancing. My only criticisms are really more like nitpicks about minor stuff rather than slams or anything big. In terms of the production the recording comes off as a litte flat and perhaps could have used a little more EQ, effects, and volume, but overall it is a very clean and tight sounding recording. Just sounds like it needs a little more pop or zing or something... Also, this isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, but the album, although heavily Middle-Easntern influenced, doesn't have a very "arabic" feel to it - this isn't a criticism, but just an honest observation. Everything on the album is extremely well done, and just by listening to it you can tell that the performer is a very accomplished percussionist. Technically it's nearly flawless, and it's a great listen. It's just that it doesn't quite have the right 'flavor' to make it arabic-sounding. It's all good though... :) Overall I'd say that if you like drumming, it's an awesome cd and that you should pick it up! So go on, buy it... now!

  • Dynamic bellydance drumming with a funky twist!
    author: Casey Bond

    This CD is a gem! The perfect blend of traditional rhythms and innovative arrangements - all played with precision and panache! The Black Drum: Rakshasa is destined to become an instant classic in the world percussion genre.

  • I haven't taken it out of my CD player yet...
    author: Daniel Baechle

    This CD is great. The playing is top notch and the arrangements are extremely well done. I give it 3 thumbs up. I haven't taken it out of my CD player since I got it.

  • Fun rhythms
    author: Eva

    This CD is fun to have on in the car or in the background around the house; you don't have to be a dancer to enjoy it. The speed/precision of the drumming is very impressive. Even the liner notes are a fun read. This is a CD worth having!

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