Japanese taiko drumming is an amazing live experience - especially if you are close to the drums... I'm less enraptured by recorded taiko music, which often doesn't capture the immensity of the live sound, but there are many powerful and innovative records out there...
I haven't banged on a mighty odaiko myself, or even picked up a bachi stick, but I have several friends who are involved in taiko performance, and have gone to several performances over the years, and always find myself transported and overwhelmed by the power of the big drums all playing together. Here is a quick list of some of the taiko music available... Comments or recommendations are always welcome!
Joji Hirota & Pete Lockett "Taiko To Tabla" (Arc Music, 2004)
A Pan-Asiatic percussive fusion, featuring Joji Hirota, one of the superstars of the Japanese taiko drumming scene, in collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Pete Lockett. The approach is decidedly not hidebound or overly traditional -- one song is even built around the sound of a digital alarm clock going off, if that gives you a sense of where these fellas are headed. Some songs are goofy and playful, others have a deep resonance and plenty of fine drumming. The mix of Japanese and Indian modalities is particularly nice. Definitely worth checking out, if you want to explore the more experimental side of modern taiko performance.
Joji Hirota & The Taiko Drummers "Japanese Taiko" (Arc Music, 2004)
Another fine album by one of the major stars of the modern taiko drumming scene... Hirota's innovative compositions are audacious and ambitious; the skill and precision with which his ensemble perform them is nothing short of amazing. There are modernizations and meter shifts that may be questionable -- depending on your personal tastes or inclinations -- but for taiko fans, even those who prefer a more traditional style, this disc is a must. This is the music being played at its highest and most challenging level... Recommended!
Kodo "Ubu-Suna" (Sony, 1988)
Kodo "Blessing Of The Earth" (Sony, 1989)
Kodo "Irodori" (Sony, 1990)
Kodo "Gathering" (1991)
Kodo "Mono-Prism" (1991)
Kodo "Kaiki" (1992)
Kodo "The Best Of Kodo" (Tristar, 1993)
Kodo "Nasca Fantasy" (Tristar, 1994)
Kodo "The Hunted: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (Tristar, 1995)
Kodo "Live at the Acropolis" (Tristar, 1995)
Kodo "Ibuki" (Tristar, 1997)
Kodo "Sai-So - The Remix Project" (Tristar, 1999)
Kodo "Ibuki Remix" (1999)
I'm not sure, but I think this album might be the same as Sai-So, above.
Kodo "Warabe" (Sony, 1999)
Kodo "Tsutsumi" (Tristar, 1999)
Kodo "Tataku: The Best Of Kodo, v. 2: 1994-1999" (Red International, 2001)
Kodo "Mondo Head" (Red International, 2001)
Kodo "Daichi No Megumi" (Sony, 2001)
Kodo "Prism Rhythm" (2005)
Kodo "One Earth Tour Special" (DVD) (Red International, 2005)
Kodo "Heartbeat: 25th Anniversary" (Soundtrack) (Red International, 2007)
Matsuriza "Hayagake No Taiko" (Take One, 1996)
Matsuriza "Matsuri Daiko" (Take One, 1998)
Synergy "Hide Yoshihashi & JASC Tsukasa Taiko" (Asian Improv, 2006)
An Australian "new music" ensemble consisting of Michael Askill, Ian Cleworth, Rebecca Lagos, and Colin Piper, with various guests floating in and out of their projects... This album explores Japanese musical culture, with contributions from Japanese flautist Sen Amano and shakuhachi master Riley Kelly Lee...
Taikoproject "re:generation" (DVD) (Taikoproject, 2004)
Kiyoshi Yoshida "Asian Drums, v.1" (Pacific Moon, 2000)
Kiyoshi Yoshida "Asian Drums, v.2" (Pacific Moon, 2001)
Hide Yoshihashi "Hide Yoshihashi & JASC Tsukasa Taiko" (Asian Improv, 2006)
Asian Music Index
World Music Index
