“Percussionist extraordinaire Joby Burgess” performs his new album A Percussionist’s Songbook, a project with a global vision. He has commissioned composers spanning several generations, with roots in the UK, Nigeria, Italy, Bulgaria, Russia and Bahrain.
The pieces are described as ‘songs without words’ because each one is inspired by a different fiction or non-fiction text. These are wildly varied, including data, science-fiction, novels, folk tales, and poetry.
Joby uses electronics to increase the possibilities of pitched percussion sound, playing with equal parts virtuosity and imagination.
“Listening to percussionist Joby Burgess is like a musical shot in the arm. His recordings are so full of vibrant energy, vitality and freshness. So what’s the secret? … the virtuoso percussionist’s technical brilliance, fantastic agility and coordination, and innate musicality. ‘A Percussionist’s Songbook’ may well be Burgess’s best album yet.”
Pwyll ap Siôn, Gramophone
“
“Essential Classics ALBUM OF THE WEEK”
Georgia Mann, BBC Radio 3
“
“A fascinating record with wide-ranging ambition and, surely, mass appeal. Joby Burgess has created a release for classical label Signum that could sit equally comfortably in the rock or ‘world’ genres, such are its broad range of influences and audible sense of adventure. Warmly recommended.”
Adrian Ainsworth, ArtMuseLondon
“
“Combining a multi-genre passion for contemporary western music with explorations of ancient global traditions, Joby Burgess has done much to foster the art of percussion.”
Steph Power, BBC Music Magazine
“
“a commercially minded playlist of good vibe tracks that reward curiosity with aural treats … Joby Burgess achieves something very special in A Percussionists Songbook, combining 20th century musical ideas, each unmistakably of their time, into a composite sound that sounds fresh. And like all well produced albums it’s one you’ll want to listen to from beginning to end.”