It's been 25 years since the wonderful Eitetsu Hayashi first performed solo, after being a member of the big two taiko groups, Ondekoza and Kodo. 3 CDs and 1 DVD of material from throughout his career compiled from albums he released with various record companies. 22 tracks on the 3 CDs. The DVD is of previously unreleased live footage from a concert in Tokyo from the 2004/5 Japan tour including special features and interview.

Taiko drumming groups of varying quality have now sprung up in many countries around the world. Contrary to popular conception, groups of taiko drummers in loin cloths is not some ancient Japanese tradition. One man, more responsible than any other, for creating this so-called 'tradition' is Eitetsu Hayashi, the best musician in the original Ondekoza, lead drummer with their off-shoot Kodo and for many years now, a solo musician. Unlike some of the groups he helped spawn, Hayashi is not style over substance, instead he continues to push the boundaries of taiko music with collaborations and innovations as well as being just about the best of the taiko players. On this album he is joined by a chorus group and guest vocalists and tackles some Middle Eastern rhythms and songs written by one time collaborator, the late Hamza El Din. 12 tracks. SACD Haybrid gives a fantastic sound quality.


Price:   £18.99

If you've been to a festival in Europe these last few years, you might have stumbled upon this Japanese taiko group, who have become regular performers in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The group are seven female and four male drummers, under the leadership of female taiko drummer Kaoly Asano. They also have developed a following in Japan, with their crossover style that encompasses rock and other styles into a global tribal groove. This is the group's first album for five years and features regular collaborator and didgeridoo player GoRo. 8 tracks. 1. Introduction 2. Taiowa 3. Samadhi 4. Desert Rose 5. Dassera 6. Na-Ga 7.Gekko 8. TakeMax.

Bonten are a taiko group who are always pushing the limits, searching for new possibilities and collaborating with various artists and dj's. They combine the taiko drums with shakuhachi and other traditional instruments with keyboards in a kind of new age setting.


Price:   £18.99

Hinoki-ya describe themselves as the 'happiest taiko in the world'. From Hakodate in Hokkaido, the taiko drums are augmented by shinobue flute, acoustic guitar and vocals into a Japanese roots mixture with western influences. Also call themselves 'the travelling band' having played in the US, Croatia, Brazil, France and Greece.

Kodo celebrate a quarter century of drumming on Sado island with a new best of. 14 tracks featuring old classics, and a few new arrangements of other favourites. The album is culled from tracks from 1989 - 2005, and is a great intoduction to the group that has helped spawn several other drumming troupes around the world. 1.Lion (from Irodori, 1990) 2.Aya (from Irodori, 1990) 3.Zoku (from Blessing of the Earth, 1989) 4.Ibuki (from Ibuki, 1996) 5.Shake (from Tsutsumi, 1999) 6.Miyake (from Tsutsumi, 1999) 7.Kyosui(Oodaiko) (from Tsutsumi, 1999) 8.Yataibayashi (from Blessing of the Earth, 1989) 9.Berimbau Jam (from Mondo Head, 2001) 10.Strobe's Nanafushi(Satori Mix) (from Sai-so, 1999) 11.Floor (from Prism Rhythm, 2005) 12.Biei (from Warabe, 1999) 13.Chonlima (from Prism Rhythm, 2005) 14.Kuyurage (from Prism Rhythm, 2005).


Price:   £18.99

It's been four years since Kodo released a new album. Prism Rhythm is their 20th offering, and doesn't disappoint. Recorded on Sado island in Kodo village, the 13 tracks include 4 featuring the women performers of Kodo (Yoko Fujimoto, Tsubasa Hori, Yoshie Sunahata and Ayako Onizawa). Also included is the theme music to the succesful film Hero, directed by the Chinese director Zhang Yimou, and a special bonus track mixed by dj and producer of Jazztronik, Ryota Nozaki. The opening track 'Floor' was even written by one of Kodo's staff members, on this richly varied and highly recommended CD.

Re-release from 1993, of the best of the early years of the spectacular drummers group. 8 classic tracks including Lion, Sai, Yumigahama, Monochrome and Yatai Bayashi. Thundering explosive stuff.


Price:   £16.99

Third in a trilogy of albums following on from Fujiyama and Doutou Banri, probably the best two by Japan's original taiko group. New arrangements of five of their most highly regarded tunes, plus three new compositions. Ondekoza have recently been through several personel changes, so this album is considered as a new start for Japan's demon drummers.

Japan's demon drummers return with more power than ever! Wonderful album, including shakuhachi and other instruments.

Price:   £18.99

Recorded live, the world's most famous taiko drumming group's latest album produced by Kabuki actor, Tamasaburo Bando. Nine tracks, great sound on this

super hybrid audio CD.

The latest from Japan's premier drummers group. This time produced by Mickey Hart. Includes global percussion (Bahia) and guest Indian tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain. Excellent release.


Price:   £18.99

Taiko drummers group from Sado, in top quality recording that includes many traditional instruments in addition to the huge taiko drums.

Eitetsu Hayashi used to be in Ondekoza and the top drummer in Kodo. On this album, he plays with top jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita.


Price:   £18.99

Superb album by taiko drummer, with shamisen and Chinese erhu.

Eitetsu Hayashi is the former leader of drummers group Ondekoza, and the acknowledged best taiko drummer in Japan. He often plays within a western context and is constantly interested in progressing his music. This CD is of his composition in three parts, Ring-Jo, Ring-Ha, and Ring-Kyu, recorded live.


Price:   £18.99

Eitetsu Hayashi is joined by pianist Yoshuke Yamashita on this recording. Three tracks, Bolero-Shu-Ri-Ha, Round About Midnight and Etai Bridge. An experimental music that definitely works. Recommended.

Recorded together with a group including Korean percussion, synthesizer and percussion. Experimental, but highly effective.


Price:   £18.99

Hidano is a former member of Kodo, who turned solo in 1990. He is known as a 'futuristic' taiko drummer for his experimental style. Played the huge dadaiko at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Japan/Korea 2002, and closing ceremony in France four years earlier. Hidano has played in 15 countries around the world, including the "Rhythm Sticks" festival in London 2002. This varied CD includes piano and electric guitar and tracks include 'Amazing Grace' and 'Home Sweet Home', with five solo drumming passages. Richly entertaining.

The excellent taiko drummer Leonard Eto teams up with a string quartet (violin, viola, cello) and piano, bass, trombone and percussion players on his latest album. Leonard Eto has for 15 years now, been one of the world's leading solo taiko and percussion players, together with Eitetsu Hayashi, both of whom were once leading players with the world famous taiko group Kodo. He has always been an innovative collaborator especially with musicians from the US, where Eto was born and raised. 6 tracks. 1. Aoi Tsuki 2. Kickback 3. Aya Rhapsody 4. Omoide 5. Fireball 6. Wander


Price:   £17.99

Fifth album from the brilliant taiko drummer Leonard Eto. Rock, jazz, Asian, African rhythms and more are combined into his own original blend. 1. Black Diamond 2. No Elephant 3. Lion x Lion 4. Pankomelon Theatre 5. Mitsuno Joke 6. Hawaiian 7. Toi Taiko 8. No Elephant Live Version.

Re-release of Eto's first album from 1998 with a bonus track. Eto is a spectacular taiko drummer who was born in New York. A former member of the world famous Kodo drummers, and after leaving has collaborated with a variety of musicians including Zakir Hussein, live with Bob Dylan, and is featured on various film soundtracks such as JFK, Lion King and The Thin Red Line.


Price:   £18.99

Since leaving Kodo in 1992, brilliant taiko drummer Leonard Eto has become known for his many collaborations, (Zakir Hussein, Creatures, Samul Nori) and contributions to soundtracks (Lion King, JFK, Thin Red Line). This new album was partly recorded live in Japan with backing musicians Keisuke Ohta (Violin), Kaz Kumagai (tap dance) Steve Eto (percussion) and Leopro, Leonard's new taiko ensemble.

World reknowned American born Japanese percussion player, is best known for appearing on various soundtracks (JFK, Lion King, Thin Red Line) and for collaborations with a variety of artists. On this album of duets, participating are Stephen Kent (didgeridoo) Aja Addy (conga, talking drum) and Zakir Hussain (tabla).


Price:   £18.99

The brilliant Leonard Eto was one of the prime movers of the world renowned taiko group Kodo, before going solo in 1992. As a solo taiko player he's probably best known as a collaborator with various musicians from around the world. On this album, Leonard Eto's taiko accompanies Kifu Mitsuhashi on shakuhachi, Natsuki Kido on guitar, Hiroshi Motofuji, taiko plus the Leopro/Taiko Ensemble of Hide, Miho Uesugi and Masaru Kondo. 11 tracks: 1. Planet 7 2. Transit Part 1 3. Anaconda 4. Transit Par 2 5. Kiyoki Mizutama no Shirabe 6. Ocean 7. Chappacity 8. Scenery 9. Waterdrops on the theme of "Kiyoki Mizutama no Shirabe" 10. Transit Par 3 11. Ocean Blue.

Bonten is a seven piece male and female taiko group who have been making waves in Japan and the US with their dynamic performances. Excellent new album that captures the energy of their live shows.


Price:   £18.99

CD+ DVD of Japanese taiko group's performances in France and Greece in 2005. The DVD last 60 mins and the CD has 10 tracks. Hinokiya are from Hakodate in Hokkaido, and aside to the large taiko drums, play shinobue flute, guitar, bass and accordion. For long spells they sound more like an Irish group than Japanese. When the Japanese elements come to the fore is when they are at their best.

Gevil mix Japanese taiko drums with punk rock, backed by 'hayashi' festival chants and even elements of enka. The group have been causing a bit of a stir in Japan and the US. Led by the charismatic and powerful taiko drummer and vocalist (and well known tattoo artist) Waka, the group dress in 'happy coats' worn at Japanese festivals, the audience at their explosive gigs join in the moves, matsuri or Japanese festival style. This is their first major single, released November 2006, 4 tracks including a pretty incredible taiko meets hard rock version of Mission Impossible.


Price:   £7.99

Released 2005, Matsuri Tengoku features seven tracks of taiko/punk mayhem. From Tokyo, Waka's (aka Hirozumi Jadoh) taiko drums and vocals are augmented by guitar, bass and drums. The group spent some time in New York where they played at S.O.B's and CBGB's among other live venues in the city. The tracks include a version of the Japanese minyo classic Soran Bushi, (titled Haikei Zipang Soran Bushi) and Gevil Samba.

Taiko meets punk rock in the hands of this explosive band from Tokyo. Their material is a mixture of original tunes and outrageous arrangements of traditional folk tunes. This album is of 10 tracks, including Kokoro Bushi, Love Lotion, Dream Catcher and Koko ni Saku Hana.


Price:   £14.99