Planet Drum
Mickey Hart · 1991
49 min · 13 tracks · rock music
A rhythmic exploration of global percussion styles, blending traditional and contemporary sounds into a vibrant sonic tapestry.
Top tracks — play these first
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Udu Chant — This track opens with a captivating udu drum pattern that sets the tone for the entire album, emphasizing the primal connection between rhythm and spirituality.
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Island Groove — With its infectious melody and syncopated rhythms, this piece showcases Hart's ability to fuse different cultural elements into a cohesive and danceable sound.
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The Dancing Sorcerer — This track highlights intricate percussion arrangements that evoke a sense of ritualistic celebration, embodying the album's thematic focus on transcendental experiences through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases diverse global rhythms and innovative percussion techniques, creating a unique listening experience.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate field recordings and natural sounds, blending them seamlessly with the percussion to create an immersive atmosphere.
- The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a steady pulse while others explore more complex polyrhythms.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic rhythmic journey experience
- inviting global rhythmic exploration
- wave-like pacing for immersion
- engaging percussive textures abound
Maybe skip if you
- seeking lyrical storytelling
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Planet Drum is Mickey Hart's third solo album, arriving after his work with the Grateful Dead and his previous release, At the Edge. This album represents a deep dive into world music and percussion, showcasing Hart's dedication to exploring rhythm as a universal language.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bill Kreutzmann· Zakir Hussain· Brian Eno
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Udu Chant 3:40
- 2 Island Groove 5:44
- 3 Light Over Shadow 3:51
- 4 Dance of the Hunter's Fire 2:59
- 5 Jewe (You Are the One) 4:06
- 6 The Hunt 3:51
- 7 Temple Caves 3:14
- 8 The Dancing Sorcerer 2:57
- 9 Bones 4:10
- 10 Lost River 2:58
- 11 Evening Samba 4:30
- 12 Iyanu (Surprises) 2:02
- 13 Mysterious Island 5:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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