The increased popularity in World music has introduced percussionists to a varied range of drum and percussion instruments that previously has been exclusively used within their country of origin. African music in particular has brought its own brand of musical inspiration and colourful creativity to western society along with traditional African rhythms.
Ethnic percussive and musical instruments such as the Djembe drum and the tribal, haunting sound of the Aboriginal Didgeridoo are being integrated into western musical compositions to create hybrid styles. The Djembe has on occasion been used to replace an entire drum kit where a completely different rhythmic feel is required. It has also been used in recordings by artists such as the Grateful Dead and Paul Simon on his multi-million selling Graceland album.
Meanwhile, Latin drums such as the Congas and Bongos that gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s are still the mainstay of the modern day percussionists drum collection.
