Convergence

Chronique

Percussionist Ian Dogole and his group Hemispheres (which alternates between a quartet and quintet) blend musical influences from many lands to create their unique blend of world jazz. Joined by multi-reed players Paul McCandless and Sheldon Brown, bassist Bill Douglass, and on two tracks, pianist Frank Gayer Martin, Dogole plays a diverse array of percussion in this fascinating studio session. The leader is heard on the hang (a steel pan hybrid) in the haunting "Smiles for Billy," which begins as an unaccompanied solo with his sideman gradually added into the mix. He utilizes a self-described "global drum set" for the wild, sauntering treatment of Herbie Nichols' "House Party Starting" and an exotic arrangement of Bill Lee's brooding
"John Coltrane," in which Martin joins the rhythm section to fuel the mesmerizing blend of McCandless' soprano sax and Brown's tenor sax. The band also delves into Turkish music (with Dogole on dumbek) and Brazilian music (where the leader plays a cajon). The appeal of Convergence grows with each hearing. Highly recommended.

© Ken Dryden /TiVo