Traveling Through Time (Giovanni Hidalgo & "El Negro" Hernandez

Rating:
Summary: mad percussion scientist!!!
Review: wow!!!, what planet are these guys from? i have watched this dvd every night since receiving it. both giovanni and el negro have the most amazing other-worldly percussion skills. if you enjoy drums and percussion on the afro-latin side this is definately for you. this dvd contains numerous compositions and an individual solo by each performer. following most compositions there are five or ten minute conversations between giovanni and el negro regarding the "analysis" of what was just performed. there are no other musicians involved and no other musical instruments other than the drum set and congas. these two should really be considered mad scientist as they decipher secret formulas of rhythym and experiment with various beats and tempos. i bet if they greatly amplified this stuff it could knock down buildings or at the very least be some new form of alternative energy. you will be absolutely amazed at the dexterity these two master musicians exibit. giovanni plays his congas with authority and lightning quick precission. just watch his hands. almost animalistic in appearance and they seem to be made of rubber. every movement looks and sounds different then the last. sound emenates from everywhere, fingers, palms, wrist, knuckles, fists, elbows, even fingernails! can feet and toes be far behind? el negro is all over the drumkit at once. relaxed but totally in command, each limb playing independently of the other, and each movement expertly coordinated. he makes it look easy. but it is what it is, mad science! the left foot playfully bounces between cowbell and highhat, at the same time the left hand is off doing its own seemingly unrelated rythym on the wood block. meanwhile, the right hand and foot are engaged in some bizare polyrythmic explosion. i furl my eyebrows in confusion and bewilderment and then i somehow get the idea that if this stuff were charted it would probably look like something albert einstein had written across a whole blackboard - purely esoteric, impossible to dissect. this production, for what it is, is as good as i have ever seen or heard. just superb. the camera angles, lighting, and editing are all done to perfection. the studio setting is exquisite with beautiful hardwood floors and colorful tiled walls. lovely rugs and candles also add to the ambiance. the special features are nicely done as well, including an additional solo from giovanni and his reflections on conga playing, style, practice, etcetera. for all you drum and percussion enthusiast out there i am certain you will enjoy this. i love it and highly recommend it!