Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Todd Isler: Soul Drums

Todd Isler: Soul Drums

By Michael P. Gladstone
April 7, 2008
Sign in to view read count

File under: drum/percussion showcase. Drummer/percussionist Todd Isler, on his sophomore effort, provides a diverting album that will perk up the ears of any student of rhythm and world-beat. To provide further variety, Isler's percussion solo tracks are spaced between ensemble tracks throughout the album.

Soul Drums opens with a very mainstream "Kalalau Trail," a remembrance of Kauai (Hawaii)'s ."..treacherous but gorgeous trail..." which, verifies Isler's description. It is also, a feature for Hawaiian tenor saxophonist Allen Won.

The influence of African, Brazilian and Indian percussion begins with "Waves of Kalalau," featuring Isler's frame drum and continues on "Tiptoe," with Billy Drewes taking over on tenor sax. "Just Wait" features the South Indian Kanjira, which is also featured on "The Rains." Isler uses a two-chambered udu drum that he co-invented with percussionist Jamey Haddad on "Hadgini Journey," and Brazil is given an airing via "Baiao Todd," "Olinda" and a version of Stevie Wonder's "Bird of Beauty," which also incorporates the partido alto, as well as funk and samba.

The album closes with a cover of Joe Zawinul's "Badia" an Isler duet with guitarist David Phelps who plays in a rock style. With the exception of the Wonder and Zawinul tunes, all others are originals either written or co-written by Isler.

Track Listing

Kalalau Trail; Waves of Kalalau; Tiptoe; Bed of Pines; Bird of Beauty; Just Wait; Kyerematen; The Rains; Olinda; Hadgini Journey; Baiao Todd; Badia.

Personnel

Dave Bones

trombone

Todd Isler: drums, hand drums, percussion, voice; Billy Drewes: tenor and soprano sax; Jenny Hill: tenor sax; Allen Won: tenor sax; Tom Hubbard: acoustic bass; Ian James Macdonald: piano; Adam Morrison:piano (7); David Phelps: electric guitar; Kip Reed: electric bass(3, 5, 9, 11).

Album information

Title: Soul Drums | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Self Produced

< Previous
Live at Newport '58

Next >
Alone Together

Comments

About Dave Bones

Instrument: Trombone

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.