My Kodo Discography Pick 05 | Masayasu Maeda: Mondo Head (Album)
Post◆ Masayasu Maeda
The album I recommend is Mondo Head.
When I was a senior high school student, I listened to it almost everyday on my way to and from school. This album completed changed my definition of wadaiko (Japanese taiko drumming) and made me think “Wadaiko is music!” for the first time. That’s obvious to me now, and I credit Mondo Head for that redefining moment.
Mondo Head is a collaborative work with amazing percussionists from around the world. I can’t get enough of their approach to music, the range of their instruments, the freedom of their sound, and all that improv! Though it was recorded almost 20 years ago, it’s forever new.
If I ever hit a creative wall, I listen to this album and it reminds me of all the things we can do with taiko.
Two of my favorite tracks are Kashira and Daraijin.
Kashira because, well, that insane groove gets me every time! (lol)
I know Kodo’s played it on tour in the past. I want to play it, too!
And Daraijin because it drew me to tabla and its broad range of tones.
I want to create music that will still be good when I listen to it in 20 years time. Music that taiko players will envy 20 years from now!
Album | Mondo Head
↓Listen to sample tracks (Japanese webpage)
https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/sicp1_ja.html
↓Buy at Kodo Online Store