IT'S a Herculean task for a drummer to steal the show when he's playing behind mega-talents such as Berkeley-born saxophonist Joshua Redman and San Mateo County's own vibes-legend Bobby Hutcherson.

Meet Eric Harland, now known in these parts as Hercules.

The fiery Texas-born drummer, who has set the beat for the likes of McCoy Tyner, Greg Osby and Charles Lloyd, was an absolutely dominating presence during the SFJAZZ Collective concert Friday night at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco.

Click here to read Jim Harrington's review at Inside Bay Area.

ALBUM: SANGAM (ECM Records)

Recorded in 2004 live in Santa Barbara, Calif., "Sangam" is Lloyd‘s mesmerizing homage to late drummer/collaborator Billy Higgins. Lloyd delivers rapturous journey music with his trio mates, tabla master Zakir Hussain and fine young drummer Eric Harland. Lloyd‘s signature probing lyricism embellished by high-note flights of passion (the exhilarating title track and the jog-paced "Tender Warriors") certainly serve as the CD‘s calling card. But the engine propelling the set is the double-percussion drive, which showcases the underexposed talents of Hussain. His rapid-fire tabla flutters and gallops; "Tales of Rumi" and the "Lady in the Harbor" fascinate with North Indian hue and weave. Noteworthy tracks include "Nataraj," Lloyd‘s relatively short piano muse; "Little Peace," fueled by his jaunty melodic flute lines; and "Dancing on One Foot," the slowly simmering album opener.

Reuters/Billboard