Steel Drums in Unexpected Places

2021-02-22T09:49:45-05:00

The lot of CDs I bought contains many artists I'm not familiar with. Generally, I will check out an unknown disc on Discogs and see if it has any value. If it does, and if the genre appeals to me, I typically give it a listen. Such is the case with Andy Akiho's No One to Know One. The cover shows a bunch of steel drums (or, steel pans, which may be the more current term) in a field. As a former percussionist, I decided to give it a listen.

I'm not sure how to describe the music, but I really enjoy it. It definitely sounds composed, so in that sense it has a somewhat classical feel. Googling the artist lists him as a classical composer, so that makes sense. But it's not classical classical. Parts of it sound improvised while others sound like prog rock or even smooth jazz. Anyway, it's a really interesting sound and I recommend you give it a listen. Here is one track, Murasaki (Purple)</a>.

The other CD I found with steel drum was, of all things, an Ahmad Jamal release, Nature. This features steel drum player Othello Molineaux. The steel drum doesn't sound too out of place - it has a kind of vibraphone feel. Here's the first track, If I Find You Again</a>. This is one of my better thrift store finds for sure.

Webonaire - discovered

Steel Drums in Unexpected Places

New to Me: Durand Jones and the Indications