AMG Review of Ritmico Mondo

MusD
All Music Guide

Wonderful World of Percussion is an imaginative and innovative tour de force by studio great, concert showman and now recording artist Emil Richards. The pieces range from zany to romantic, played on percussion instruments that go from African rhythm log to xylophone. Richards gives full voice to the potential of each instrument and destroys the stereotype that percussion's role is to provide rhythm and texture. Instead, Richards' percussion pieces are alive with the melody and countermelody that one would expect from music written for any other group of instruments. Richards' works are clear expressions of his knowledge and interest in world music and jazz.