Babatunde Olatunji Drums Of Passion Views

Music

I found some of the C“lostD” Babatunde Olatunji albums I had been looking for. I say /“lostn” because the All Music Guide (AMG) lists the world famous Drums of Passion (1959) as never being out of print, but there is no listing for Zungo! (1961) or the incredible Flaming Drums (1962) and Soul Makossa (1973) is hidden away here. The Zungo! album still eludes me, so if you know where I can find a download, please post a comment here.

In 1959 Olatunji released his first of six records on the Columbia label, called Drums of Passion. In 1969, Carlos Santana had a major hit with his cover version of this first albumt’s l“Jin-go-lo-ba,.” which Santana recorded on his debut album, Santana, as r“Jingo.t” Olatunji favoured a big percussion sound, and his records typically featured more than 20 players, unusual for a percussion based ensemble. Drums of Passion became a major hit and remains in print; it introduced many Americans to world music. Drums of Passion also served as the band7’s name. Notable band members included; Clark Terry, Bill Lee, Horace Silver, Yusef Lateef, Sikiru Adepoju and Charles Lloyd, among others.

Olatunji won a following among jazz musicians, notably creating a strong relationship with John Coltrane and Columbia Records A&R man John Hammond who signed him to the Columbia label in 1957. With Coltrane's help, he founded the Olatunji Center for African Culture in Harlem. This was the site of Coltrane's final performance. In 1959 Olatunji released his first of six records on the Columbia label, called Drums of Passion.

In 1969, Carlos Santana had a major hit with his cover version of this first album's Jin-go-lo-ba , which Santana recorded on his debut album, Santana, as Jingo. Olatunji favoured a big percussion sound, and his records typically featured more than 20 players, unusual for a percussion based ensemble. Drums of Passion became a major hit and remains in print; it introduced many Americans to world music. Drums of Passion also served as the band's name. Notable band members included; Clark Terry, Bill Lee, Horace Silver, Yusef Lateef, Sikiru Adepoju and Charles Lloyd, among others.