Pulse: Akira Jimbo

The video jacket for Pulse allows that "this is less an instruction video than it is a performance video." Accomplished drummer Akira Jimbo is too modest in his claims--Pulse is essentially all performance video. Colorfully dressed (wearing one red shoe and one blue shoe), Jimbo plays a combination of his own compositions and those of his long time partner, bass player Tetsuo Sakurai. Elaborate tunes, such as "Kaleidoscope," "Guru Guru Labyrinth," "Funky Punch," and "Wishing Well" showcase Jimbo's impressive range and control over a drum kit that takes up a serious chunk of real estate and produces a wide variety of sounds. Prior to playing the final two pieces, Jimbo explains a little bit about the triggering system he's using (an explanation which won't make any sense to non-Japanese speakers, unless they read the accompanying sheet of paper included inside the video). While it's an aural joy listening to Jimbo pound the skins with exquisite precision, $40 is a little on the pricey side for a performance video. An optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)