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Olatunji: Drums of Passion
ByBorn in the small fishing village of Ajido, Nigeria, Olatunji came to the United States to study political science at Morehouse College in Atlanta. While in school, he formed his band from a group of African expatriates as an exercise and way to help each other avoid being homesick. In 1954, he moved up north to attend NYU Graduate School. Soon, Olatunji and his band were performing throughout New York City, the five boroughs and the surrounding areas. By 1957, Olatunji and his cohorts were performing at Radio City Music Hall backed by a 66-piece orchestra. Columbia Records' legendary A&R producer John Hammond happened upon one of these performances and immediately signed Olatunji to the label.
Drums Of Passion is an amazing and revolutionary album. It boggles the mind to think that the layers of sound were created by just four musicians and a handful of female backup singers. The drumming, though not exceptionally fast or complicated, is hypnotic. Even more amazing is the fact that Olatunji was able to re-arrange the drumming celebratory themes of his people and infuse them with American blues and jazz themes. Each track features the call and response theme (both vocal and rhythmic) that is the signature of the African musical experience. This theme is evident in Drums Of Passion and it could well be considered a cornerstone of modern jazz, R&B, hiphop and rap.
Upon its release, Drums Of Passion became a worldwide phenomenon. It could conceivably be considered the first "world music" album. Unquestionably, it was the first recording to popularize African music in the west. This was never more evident than when Olatunji performed at John F. Kennedy's inauguration. Drums of Passion provides a remarkable musical bridge between African and Western culture.
This newly remastered version of the classic album contains the bonus track "Menu Di Ye Jewe (Who Is This?)" which was recorded during the original sessions but was not available on the original release. More than just a great CD, Drums of Passion is a "cultural experience." Even today, forty-four years after its original release, this record will open the eyes and ears of new listeners to the vibrant nuances of traditional African music and vocals. Highlights of the original album include: "Akiwowo (Chant to the Trainman)," "Shango (Chant to the God of Thunder)" and "Jin Go La Ba (Drums of Passion)." However, each and every track is a mini-masterpiece in its own right. Drums Of Passion contains so many different tribal rhythms and elements of percussion that you can't help but be moved to the core by its ambiance, mood, tone and feeleven if you don't understand a word.
Track Listing
Akiwowo (Ah-Key-Woh-Woh) (Chant to the Trainman); Oya (Aw-Yah) (Primitive Fire) (Cult Rhythm); Odun de! Odun De! (Aw Dun Day! Aw Dun Day!) (Happy New Year); Gin-Go-Lo-Ba (Jin-Go-Low-Bah) (Drums of Passion); Kiyakiya (Kay-Ya-Key-Ya) (Why Do You Run Away?); Baba Jinde (Baba-Gee-Un-Day) (Flirtation Dance).
Personnel
Babatunde Olatunji
drumsAlbum information
Title: Drums of Passion | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Legacy Recordings
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