Slipknot1, thank you. I'll definitely look into those recommendations. When percussion and drums are done right and played back on a hirez setup, it can be down right spooky.
I never had the chance to see Ondekoza or Kodo live, but I've managed to see my friend Judy perform five times.
One of the most powerful performances I've ever seen was by a group called Maidaiko Aska Gumi. Absolutely primal! They are an all-male troupe from Japan and I was able to witness their incredible power three summers ago when they performed the same hot day as Zendeko. They go so F***ing crazy I thought the stage was gonna come apart.
If you're near Los Angeles in a couple months, Zendeko will be perfroming July 12th and 13th at their Obon Carnival.
http://www.zendeko.org/Calendar.htm
http://www.aska-gumi.co.jp/index.html