"...Jaah nu sah pah

Thom dum Doom DHUM

Na DHUM dhim na

num ki tha ta ka kari..."

Don't ask.

Just listen. Because you'd have to hear it to believe it.

Since 1999, local producer Jamie Ross has booked a terrific variety of world and folk music, performing in the basement of Maplewood's Memorial Library; hence the name Underground Concert Series. Many of these musicians are among the world's finest in their particular discipline. The tradition continued last weekend.

At Saturday's Underground Concert, the basement was transformed into a pulsating galaxy of sound and rhythm by four time Grammy winner, Glen Velez, Frame Drum virtuoso, and his wife, rhythm vocalist Lori Cotler.

Performing one long powerful yet intimate set, a devoted audience was generously indulged in Velez' mystic drum wizardry--thrumming a variety of Bodhrans, tambourines, tars and bendirs, with support from wondrous shakers and gourds, wobbly quackers and exotic warbling noise makers.

All are nimbly played by hands and feet simultaneously--redefining forever the "one-man band." Did I mention that he also can sing two notes at once (Central Asian overtone singing)? The man is so deft and versatile I'm quite sure he could coax a Grammy out of the contents of my kitchen implement drawer.

But this is no vaudeville act.

The beautiful and celestial Lori Cotler shared Saturday's stage and paired effortlessly with Velez, vocalizing in the fantastic and unusual South Indian drum language known as Konnakol. Delivering staccato syllables at a blistering pace, each piece was thrillingly hypnotic, uplifting and technically brilliant. A few vocal pieces were delivered over the syncopation of underlying clapping, but most were woven into the magnificent drumming of Velez.

Cotler even got the audience to enthusiastically chant a few phrases, albeit at a fraction of the speed.

Their bridge into a dreamy interpretation of the Hoagy Carmichael/Johnny Mercer jazz standard "Skylark" was crystalline. Although they derive their music heavily from the Mideast, South India and the Mediterranean, their music is unique, their style unmatched.

The duo was also extremely willing to educate us in the various instrument  and style choices. Never preachy or didactic, they are clearly steeped in their craft and live to give the music.

Did it have to end?

Yes, as do all good things, but as regular performers in the Underground rotation, they are sure to return to the series' subterranean headquarters.

"Ta ka di mi Ta ka Ta ki ta...."

(say THAT ten times fast!)