Sacred Earth Drums

Album Review

Brothers David and Steve Gordon came up with a winner when they recorded Sacred Earth Drums, and it quickly became a bestseller in the new age market. This drum-based album marked a departure from the musical styles already offered by the brothers (namely, music and nature sounds and electronic music). The album begins with a lively Native American drum beat, 4/4 pulse (there is more pulsing, phrasing, and embellishment than a traditional Indian beat), rattles, a Native American flute, and bird songs. As the album progresses, the music becomes more elaborate; the flute melodies are more fanciful, warm guitars are added, and more complex rhythms (Latin and African) are added with other drums and percussion instruments. Eventually, other animals, keyboards, and space music effects fill out the sound spectrum. Though the music progresses (even into a light ambient), the beat's cadence remains constant. This is not a "percussion" jam album; no one element will overwhelm the room. The album's carefree spirit is perfect for trance-dancing or as a background energizer. You can't help but jump on board this rhythm wagon. The album liner notes are a story line for a shamanic journey for those who wish to relate to the album in this way. If you like this album, check out their follow-up, Sacred Spirit Drums.