Susie Ibarra / Denis Charles - Drum Talk (1998)

Drum Talk is a compelling free jazz percussion dialogue between Susie Ibarra and Denis Charles, released in 1998 on Wobbly Rail. The album focuses entirely on rhythmic communication, texture, and improvisational interaction, stripping jazz down to its most elemental expressive form. Without harmonic instruments or traditional melodic frameworks, the recording emphasizes the physicality and language of percussion as a complete musical system. Ibarra’s dynamic drumming and subtle use of auxiliary percussion contrast and blend with Denis Charles’ deep-rooted Caribbean rhythmic vocabulary, creating a rich cross-cultural conversation. The performances range from meditative and spacious explorations to dense, energetic exchanges, as heard in pieces like “Drum Talk,” “Stand Back,” and “Sunshowers.” Traditional influences such as kulintang add additional tonal color and historical depth to the improvisations. Drum Talk stands as an important document of experimental percussion music, highlighting rhythm as both narrative and dialogue, and showcasing two highly expressive artists in direct, unmediated musical conversation.

Tracklist
1. Welcome - 2:38
2. Drum Talk (Charles) - 12:59
3. For Arcah (Ibarra) - 8:22
4. Kulintang Medley (Trad.) - 7:29
5. Sunshowers (Ibarra-Charles) - 8:08
6. Stand Back (Charles) - 9:30
7. Good Night! - 2:00

Personnel
Susie Ibarra - triangle, drums
Denis Charles - djembe, kulintang, drums, small percussion