With an extraordinary collection of some of the world's most well known and respected percussionists, including Zakir Hussain, Airto Moreira, and Glen Valez, the most recent Megadrums studio album, Terra Nova, promises rhythmic inspiration and technical brilliance at the highest level. What Terra Nova actually delivers is a series of restrained but thoroughly enjoyable percussion based songs composed by Reinhard Flatischler. The ten tracks are well crafted rhythmic tapestries and are greatly enhanced by the extensive melodic explorations of Wolfgang Paschnig on saxophone, flute, and clarinet, as well as tasteful didgeridoo played by Stephen Kent. While the disk as a whole, is not riveting, there are at least three compelling tracks. Dialogue is an energized if not quite appropriately titled collaboration between Zakir Hussain on tabla and Glen Valez on Riqq. Dancing Between the Worlds begins to tap into the brilliance of this ensemble, as a spirited and intricate rhythmic bed evolves into a lively convergence of Zakir Hussain, this time on timbales, and Airto Moreira on drum set. The entire disk is blessed by the final track, in which Airto performs solo with voice, pandeiro, and a whistle. - Joshua Levin

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