Curtis Andrews

Newfoundland percussionist/composer Curtis Andrews brings his wholehearted love of, and respect for, his mentors/gurus — Don Wherry, Kwasi Dunyo and Trichy Sankaran — to this varied CD. And it's his positive vibe that carries the 71 minutes of music, making it engaging, uplifting and warmly human. With a variety of percussion — mrdangam, congas, a drum set, shakers, glockenspiel — Andrews keeps things interesting and decidedly upbeat, with go-for-broke blowouts like "Ode to Odomos" or polyrhythmic hoedowns like "Vedic Square Dance." Andrews' compositions, which must have required plenty of rehearsal prior to recording, are played with flair and commitment by some talented band-mates: Patrick Boyle on trumpet and Josh Ward are among the strong contributors, either with energetic solos or deft support for the tricky goings-on in the challenging charts. In the end, though, it's the life-affirming heart these musicians bring to the music that makes this CD worth your attention.