Ralph MacDonald

This budget two-fer assembles the first two solo LPs by New York session great and longtime Harry Belafonte percussionist Ralph MacDonald. Sound of a Drum successfully marries the prominent Latin flavor of his previous work with new-school funk and disco sounds, with a title that's no misnomer -- each song is a showcase for MacDonald's blistering percussion talents, but he never loses the humility and instincts of a sideman, allowing an expert cast including Grover Washington, Jr., Bob James, and Toots Thielemans their own turns in the spotlight as well. The eight-minute "Calypso Breakdown" is by far the best-known cut here, thanks to its inclusion on the mega-selling Saturday Night Fever soundtrack -- it remains a monster groove that's dated much better than many disco-era instrumentals, thanks in large part to William Eaton's clever, jazz-inspired arrangement and Eric Gale's ferocious guitar solo. Though lesser known, The Path remains MacDonald's most ambitious and successful solo record -- its 18-minute title cut is a mind-boggling journey charting the progression of African-American music from its roots in tribal drumming through evolutions from blues to jazz to funk. MacDonald creates a virtual primer in percussion, navigating the twists and turns of his musical narrative with stunning precision. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide