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Top grade lightweight aluminium makes the instruments easy to play for extended periods

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• Review

Hands on

The aluminium surdos have a controlled tone when played dead centre, but when played towards the rim have an almost timpani tone, which is a lovely contrast. They have bags of volume with the 20" being easy to carry using the comfy Samba belt, while the 20" wooden surdo was a warmer, more controlled option.

Both the repinique and caixa could easily cut through a section of surdos and again their lightness made dancing around with the aid of the shoulder strap a pleasure! I loved the sound and the light feel of the 'Shell-tuned' pandeiro the best but I guess that the chestnut model is closest to traditional Brazilian designs.

The ABS pandeiro was almost a middle ground between the other two and had a unique muted tone while being easy to play for extended periods. The same was true with the super-resonant 'Floatune' tambourim and indeed the superb silky-sounding shakers, while the rocar provides a myriad of jingle tones in an easy to play design.

The A-Go-Go bells are pitched nicely, beautifully cutting and sound totally authentic whilst the qweeka (friction drum), although diminutive, was sensitive, loud and sang out over the ensemble drums.