Percussionist
Olatunji
was championing African music long before anyone devised the worldbeat marketing strategy. His 1989 recording
Drums of Passion: The Beat
updated his classic
Drums of Passion
concept, adding rock and pop energy and instrumentalists to the wall of multiple rhythms. The idea clicks, and
Olatunji's
African beats are contrasted by
Airto Moreira
's Latin percussion,
Mickey Hart
's bombastic presence, and such special guests as
Carlos Santana
and
Bobby Vega
. ~ Ron Wynn