Standard Stoppages
Cedille, 2025
9/10
The inimitable outfit Third Coast Percussion celebrate their 20th anniversary with these 6 detailed pieces that illuminate the works of Jlin, Tigran Hamasyan, Zakir Hussain, Jessie Montgomery and Musekiwa Chingodza.
Jlin’s “Please Be Still” leads with rhythmic appeal, where the quartet’s unpredictable and cozy percussion is mesmerizing, and “Sonata For Percussion”, by Hamasyan, follows with 3 movements that embraces classical ideas and plenty of melody.
Hussain’s “Murmurs In Time” resides in the middle and has Hussain playing tabla amid vocalizations of drum sounds and strategic improvisation, while Montgomery’s “Study No. 1” unfolds with cinematic and sonically engaging bouts that seems sci-fi at times.
Chingodza’s “Dzoka Kumba” exits, and allows for Chingodza’s mbira and vocals to complement the bright climate of swirling percussion and playfulness.
Yet another inventive and top notch body of work from Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin and David Skidmore, Third Coast Percussion continues to impress, inspire and enthrall us.
Travels well with: Third Coast Percussion- Philip Glass: Aguas Da Amazonia; Third Coast Percussion- Between Breaths