John Belcher John Belcher
The Sound According to John (Innova Recordings innova643, 2005)
John Belcher has recorded an album of intriguing percussion works. When one thinks of percussion, drums and hand held instruments come to mind, but there is also a great tradition of vocal percussion, well known in India. Belzer uses it in some of his pieces. He also uses voice loops and experimentation, combined with a wide variety of percussion instruments.
The sound is hard to define. It's definitely not traditional world music, but it does have world elements. there are also contemporary classical influences. Belcher is a drummer, composer, and self-described rhythmologist. The tracks on The Sound have elements of swing, samba, old, old school rap, West African, Indian and Balinese music traditions, and mathematics. Along with being a musician, Belcher is a mathematician.
Buy the CD:
World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/2006021911170287