Throughout his illustrious career, master drummer and world music pioneer Trilok Gurtu has stood at the confluence of where Indian classical music, Western jazz and funk, African music and Brazilian music meet. It's been part of his modus operandi for five decades - making music that defies easy categorisation.

On 'God is a Drummer', his 20th recording as a leader, the uncommonly open-minded musician pays tribute to some fallen colleagues and role models who have guided and inspired him along the way. Leading his dynamic, Hamburg-based group of trumpeter Frederik Köster, trombonist Christophe Schweizer, Turkish-born keyboardist Sabri Tulug Tirpan and electric bassist Jonathan Cuniado, Gurtu acknowledges the impact that legends like keyboardist and Weather Report co-founder Joe Zawinul, Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos, jazz drumming great Tony Williams and his mother, the Indian classical singing star Shobha Gurtu, have made on his musical life.

Special guests include Indian singer Kaplana Patowary, Turkish singer Zara, Turkish violinist Emre Meralli and the innovative North German Junge Norddeutsche Philharmonie, conducted by Wolf Kerschek.

Dedicated to his own guru, Ranjit Maharaj, 'God Is A Drummer' is a stunning showcase of matchless precision, dazzling solos, passionate vocals, percolating rhythms and deep-rooted grooves.