Scattered Diamonds

Scattered Diamonds is the 9th studio album from Latin Grammy-winning percussionist, composer, and award-winning writer Barrett Martin. This time around, Barrett has gone through his deep catalog and picked songs that feature his collaborations with artists from around the world. The diversity of the guest artists range from countries as far away as Iraq, India, Senegal, and Ghana, and include well-known rock and jazz musicians from Seattle and Santa Fe. The songs are as diverse as the guests themselves and feature Barrett's original composing style, built around his visceral drumming and global percussion. Or as Barrett best describes it in his own words: ”When I was selecting songs for this album, I went back through my catalog and found the best songs that represented my world music influences, many of which had never been promoted to the media or radio platforms. Yet they seem particularly timely now because they feature performers from the Middle East, West Africa, and India, as well as several well-known jazz and rock musicians that I have collaborated with over the years. I wanted to create an album that encapsulated all of their immense talents, including the musical influence they had on me, organized into one concise album. Each of these songs is a diamond in their unique example of what music can be, scattered over the course of nearly 20 years of composing and experimenting with different genres and styles. This might be my favorite album so far, certainly the best of the best, so to speak.” SCATTERED DIAMONDS Produced by Barrett Martin Recorded by Jack Endino, Floyd Reitsma, Brad Laina, and Barrett Martin at Soundhouse, Studio Litho, and Sunyata Sound, Seattle, WA Mixed by Jack Endino and Floyd Reitsma at Soundhouse and Studio Litho, Seattle, WA The guest artists include: Rahim Alhaj – Grammy-nominated Iraqi oud master and world music artist Peter Buck – Grammy-winning guitarist for REM Dave Carter – Trumpeter and founding member of the Barrett Martin Group Thione Diop – Senegalese Wolof drum master Mehnaz Hoosein Hindustani singer from India Wayne Horvitz – Renowned jazz keyboardist and composer Kanoa Kaluhiwa -Hawaiian Saxophonist Curtis Robert Macdonald – Alto saxophonist with Henry Threadgill John Rangel – Jazz pianist from Santa Fe Skerik – Experimental Saxophonist from Seattle Hans Teuber – Tenor & Soprano Saxophonist from Seattle Kim Thayil – Grammy-winning guitarist for Soundgarden Ben Thomas – Vibraphonist and college professor from Seattle