Spirit of the Drum

Album Review

The debut release by percussionist Arvin Scott is a richly textured revue of myriad percussion styles and techniques from around the world. Layered in real-time by Scott (who taught at Berklee School of Music in Boston before migrating south to the University of Georgia School of Music), the album contains nothing but an array of percussion. Melodies are layered with talking drums, xylophones, and exotic instruments. The music is bright and energetic, occasionally falling prey to over-exotification. Mostly, though, the groove is relentlessly upbeat. The bulk of the album is Scott performing by himself (albeit heartily overdubbed), though "Forest in the City" contains nine other musicians joining Dr. Scott, including Mark Needelman, Al Davidson, Mary Grey, Felizitas Hybl, Jenny Mercer, and more. Scott creates varied soundscapes and explores them, donning them with accurate titles. There is not much melodic development within the tracks, though that is forgivable.