TADAIMA

With Russell Baba of Shasta Taiko Russel may be one of the first Asian American artists to produce his own work with the critically acclaimed recording “Hisashi” in 1978. In 1992 he produced “ Earth Prayer” which features pianist Andrew Hill and in 1999 “Spirit Drum- Taiko Stories From America" with Jeanne Mercer, Masato Baba, and Shoji Kameda. In 2010 he recorded "Tadaima" and "KorewaKorewa" which features original work with Jeanne Mercer and Masato Baba. ..not only plays conventional items such as the alto saxophone, but a variety of ethnic instruments from all over the world. Even when Baba plays the alto, he gives it an eerie other-worldly quality that puts the music right into the twilight zone...a daring approach to the music, a worthwhile deviation from the norm.

- San Francisco Chronicle