by Joslyn Layne Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang are two percussionists who established themselves as key figures in the Chicago jazz rebirth of the 1990s. It is doubtful, however, that either musician would consider himself exclusively a jazz musician, as evidenced by the variety of instrumentation and musical structures heard on their duo recording, Ask the Sun. Heard here are drum sets, numerous hand drums (congas, djimbes, frame drums, tablas, etc.), gongs, bells, cymbals, and didgeridoos! Although both players are generally regarded as free jazz or "out" musicians, all of the tracks, except "The Wisdom Sisters," have a definite groove, ranging in moods from sacred to rock. Ask the Sun is a very pleasant listen; it will be a feast for all fans of percussion and/or either of these musicians.