Grammy Award-winning Third Coast Percussion, celebrated Brazilian guitarist Sérgio Assad, and his daughter, the vibrant vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Clarice Assad join forces for a collaboratively written program conjuring a dozen universal archetypes - timeless characters shared by cultures around the globe. Figures such as the Rebel, Lover, Magician, Jester, Hero, and Explorer come to life in 12 short works melding imaginative chamber music with Latin jazz rhythms...

Of all the sections of the orchestra I always used to think that my least favourite was percussion. While it fills a valuable and integral part of orchestral works, percussion groups had the potential to fill me full of dread. There's always that underlying fear: "Is it just going to be noise or can some real beauty be coaxed out of percussion pieces?"

On Archetypes, Third Coast Percussion beautifully illustrate why percussion is one of the most important aspects of an orchestra, as well as one of the most versatile. Over the course of 12 pieces (54 min, 11 sec) they delve into every aspect from pure noise like the humorous 'Jester', to more heartbreakingly beautiful tunes like 'Caregiver'. While 'Sage' is eerie like a cliched horror score, 'Innocent' is full of wonder.

There's something here for every music taste and it's a tribute to Sérgio Assad and Clarice Assad's composition structure that they were able to give varied instruments their chance to shine.

A wonderfully executed album which may may your reevaluate your view of percussion instruments.

8

Darren Rea