Few musicians or composers would try to compress the story of rhythm and its influence on life and music into a single, live show or a CD.

But that's precisely what The Rhythm Room, percussion-based ensemble conceived by drummer and music educator Rick Morin, does in its new live show and indie CD titled "Circle of Souls." The result, which the band rolled out on stage Friday and Saturday at Rhode Island College, turns out to be far more than a collection of songs.

Circle of Souls, which tracks the beat of human experience through the blues, urban rhythms, African, native American and World Music, is a complete thematic experience that invokes soul, street beats, jazz, rock and even hip hop through 16 original - and memorable - tunes. Produced by multi-instrumentalist and all-around sound wizard George Dussault, the disc must qualify as one of the most significant works of art ever released by a local ensemble or soloist.

Morin, who hosts a North Attleboro cable TV music show also called The Rhythm Room, is the visionary who built the band over the course of several years from a cadre of former students and highly virtuosic friends. Morin himself either wrote or collaborated on more than half the songs.

Unlike other contemporary percussion groups, The Rhythm Room does more than drum on trash cans, plumbing and floorboards. They integrate guitars, synthesizers, horns and lush vocal harmonies to create a full-flavored melodic experience. Vocalist Julie Marinucci, who co-wrote several of the songs, lights up the disc with her at-times soulful, at-times soaring voice. On "In The Beginning," which she wrote, Marinucci sets the scene with a sensitive preamble that leads into "One Voice," a powerful, optimstic anthem written by Dussault and Morin. Songs like "Beat Street," a collaboration with rapper D-Rhyme, capture the percussive energy of the streets. "Maka Sica," which Marinucci sings partly in Spanish, brings listeners ringside to what one imagines to be a Barcelona cabaret.

The influences and the genres roll on and on. But the variety somehow reinforces rather than dilutes "Circle of Souls" - a unified whole made from disparate but complementary pieces.

While The Rhythm Room is essentially a collaboration between nine musicians, including Morin, guitarist-producer Dussault's influence is felt more than most on the tour de force disc. Dussault's piano and synth parts underpin a good part of the album, and his versatile guitar playing is prominently on display as well.

Dussault, a top-class studio producer who has worked with both local and national talents, also gives the new CD a "live" feel by minimizing spacing between individual cuts and underlaying the recordings with a subtle background that simulates an expectant concert crowd.

Both the disc and the live show rely on a cast of highly-versatile musicians who must fill multiple roles. Morin, Harry Hagan, Micah Weaver and Dave Davignon provide the core of the Rhythm Room's percussion. Seth Antonis doubles on percussion and digeridoo. Alan Clavette plays trombone as well as performs keyboard and vocal parts, while Kait Clavette plays trumpet and euphonium as well as singing backing vocals and performing on keyboards, guitar and trumpet.

Tom Frederick sings as well as narrates and plays world percussion.

The Rhythm Room videotaped its performances last weekend for a future DVD that they can show to potential bookers. Morin is candid about his desire to promote a national tour for The Rhythm Room, and his confidence is not misplaced.

In a world of Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder and Riverdance, the world is ready for a live ensemble founded on something other than stepdancing, stage prop castles and hackneyed pub ballads.

RICK FOSTER can be reached at 508-236-0360 or at rfoster@thesunchronicle.com.