Rhythms of Paradise offers a musical window into the influences and experiences of this remarkably talented and accomplished artist, and features the work of many of Daniel Paul's most respected musical friends and mentors. Fulbright Award-winning drummer Daniel Paul composes on the rare and expressive tabla tarong, blending ancient classical and modern folk drumming styles of India with western music, instrumentation and influences. Daniel stretches the meaning of the word ‘drummer’ with the exotic melodies he composes on the multi drumset of the tabla tarong.

The tabla drum was created many centuries ago to be the lyrical rhythm section in the royal course of North India where sacred Hindu music blended with that of the romantic Persians and includes both treble and bass drums. The tabla tarong is a pure melodic drumset generally comprised of the treble tabla drums tuned to a particular scale and arranged in a semi circle around the drummer. On this recording, most of the songs were originally composed on the tarong and then arranged for a wide variety of instruments, both eastern and western.

The word tarong literally means 'waves' and refers to the under-water sounding quality one hears when many table drums are played in quick succession. In composing these melodies for his first solo debut album, Daniel drew inspiration from the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands where he makes his home. From the whale songs in the trilogy of Oceania, Song of the Sea and Rapture, to the jungle parrots of the title cut, “Rhythms of Paradise”, these songs take you on a musical journey through Daniel’s island.

TRACKS:

1. Neptune's Court 4:21
2. Dream Walker 4:49
3. Oceania 5:47
4. Song of the Sea 6:55
5. Rapture 4:14
6. Moroccan Moon 5:19
7. Rhythms of Paradise (Prelude) 3:15
8. Rhythms of Paradise 3:43
9. Magic Island 4:19
10. Forty Thousand Leagues 2:26
11. Tales of the Golden Age 3:28
12. Wave Runner 4:45

TOTAL TIME: 53 minutes