Harald Grosskopf World of Quetzal CDR / 9 Tracks / 55.27 mins Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Coatlicue')

Twangy ethnic percussion effects, all rather strange they are too, solidify into a quite intense rhythmic groove. A gorgeous lead line comes in and now it all seems to make sense as 'Coatlicue' unravels into a quite infectious body mover, motoring along nicely. An excellent opener. Musical Box type tinkling percussives then a Japanese melodic motif get 'Titlaucacan' underway. Wordless sighing vocals and a blistering rhythm carry things forward. It's a track that covers all ends of the spectrum from subtlety and lovely melodies to pounding drums. 'Tetzcatlipoca' has a crazed beginning with manic utterances in some strange language I don't understand (or made up) before the drums come in and along with a squelchy looped effect create quite a mesmerizing swirling brew. The chanting keeps coming back however and to me it spoiled the track a little. 'Tonatiuh' brings us back to normality but in a rather dark brooding way. Slow moody pads slowly build in intensity then subside once more. It's the sort of track Jim Kirkwood would have done in one of his more atmospheric moments. A bass line picks up the pace just a little for 'Quetzalcoatl'. Tabla type drums start a relaxed rhythm. For the first four minutes things remain quite laidback but then the rhythms become a little more forceful and a mean stabbing lead line adds real attitude to proceedings. An excellent track. 'Ixtlilton' is formed around quirky little percussive loops, quite tuneful in their own way. A strange droney, slightly ethnic sounding lead line wails over it all. 'Mixcoatl' carries on in similar fashion but this time the lead lines have a much more Western feel to them, the pads flourishing to become quite euphoric at times. 'Tlalocan' has a similar feel to 'Tonatiuh' but if anything even darker- or should that by mysterious, as there is nothing really sinister sounding here- just lovely moody stuff. Harald finishes with a reprise of 'Coatlicue'. Again the rhythm is quite infectious and should get the hands beating out time on the table, whilst the melodies are lovely. Harald Grosskopf is a drummer, his solo albums however range from being almost completely devoid of drums to heavily rhythmic. This album shows his skills as a drummer to their full. (DL)

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