Melody Of Rhythm: Triple Concerto And Music For Trio

Recommended by Phil Richards, Readings Carlton

In this era of cookie-cutter, synthetic sounds that can be generated by virtually anyone and everyone, it's almost impossible to make music that can be instantly recognized as unique and incomparable. To have that music revealed as both groundbreaking and accessible to all is an even rarer occurrence. Banjo legend Bela Fleck, tabla genius Zakir Hussain and double-bass master Edgar Meyer, internationally-renowned virtuosi and composers, have achieved that pinnacle with this release. The centerpiece and catalyst for this album is "The Melody of Rhythm: Concerto", a gorgeously haunting, dynamic three-movement composition for banjo, double bass and tabla. Recorded live with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Leonard Slatkin, the highly rhythmic work soars, melding Indian classical rhythms with American roots-derived melodies and big-sky orchestral horizons. The remaining trio pieces further explore a group dynamic that promises to gain in richness and nuance as they continue their travels throughout the world. Fleck and Meyer have been collaborating for over 25 years, inclduing the Grammy-winning "Perpetual Motion" and the classic "Appalachian Journey" with Yo Yo Ma. Fellow Grammy winner Zakir Hussain is generally acknowledged to be the world's greatest virtuoso of the tabla drums, renowned for his cross-genre work with the likes of John McLaughlin's Shakti, Mickey Hart's Planet Drum, and Yo To Ma's Silk Road Project. For all three of these explorers, an understanding of musical tradition and improvisation has led them to this common crossroads, or as Bela Fleck described it in a recent Downbeat cover story, "getting together with some brothers he hadn't seen in some time".