CD Review: Marti Nikko & DJ Drez's 'Dreaming In Sanskrit'

Marti Nikko & DJ Drez
Dreaming In Sanskrit
Black Swan Records

Blissful, electronic, and yoga-inspired, Dreaming In Sanskrit is the debut work of husband and wife duo, Marti Nikko and DJ Drez. The thirteen tracks are soaked with lush dub melodies, sitar-sizzling riffs, and down-tempo beats that cannot be ignored. Marti and DJ Drez are accompanied by Bansuri flute, cello, bass, sax, chinese flute, piano, flute, and tabla. The repeated Sanskrit mantras are very soothing and rhythmic, while backed by symphonic sounds and ambulating beats. There are even Arabic sounds on a few tracks, but the most prevalent influence is modern mantra and yoga-inspired music with lengthy melodies and electronic wizardry that is not too overt. Fans of yoga, meditation, down-tempo, groove-laden, and world fusion music will love. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: DJ Drez' 'Jahta Beat: Chanting With Tigers'

DJ Drez
Jahta Beat: Chanting With Tigers
Black Swan Sounds

DJ Drez creates a swirling mix of Indian rhythms, urban grooves, and down-tempo beats that are mystical, magical, and deeply-rooted in South Asian instrumentation. The contemporary approach is both instrumental and vocal with electronic embellishments that are unforgettable. DJ Drez employs the help of various artists, including Kirtaniyas, Domonic Dean Breaux, Marti Nikko, Arjun Baba, Kirti Srinvastava, Sheela Bringi, Trae Sevin, and Masood Ali Khan. There are filmic undertones, dance tracks, hip-hop instrumentals, kirtan tracks, and world fusion works that combine South Asian instrumentation with urban grooves and beats that cannot be ignored. Fans of contemporary kirtan, dance, yoga, Sanskrit tunes, and similar music will find DJ Drez soulfully-appealing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: DJ Drez' '4AM Plum Mood'

DJ Drez
4AM Plum Mood
Black Swan Sounds

DJ Drez creates a new world of atmospheric dub and downtempo delight. The music is rich with laid-back grooves, instrumental bliss, and dreamy sequences that are anything but hectic or chaotic. The smooth and slow tunes are perfect for an evening of relaxation. The trippy melodies are steeped in world music wanderings over the past several years. The ambient elements are at the forefront here. The exotic chill-out music is ideal for anyone interested in new age, space, atmospheric, quiet dub, and contemporary instrumental music with a bit of fusion thrown in. This is perfect for the lounge lizard in your family. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: DJ Drez' 'Jahta Beat: The Lotus Memoirs'

DJ Drez
Jahta Beat: The Lotus Memoirs
Black Swan Records

California-based yogic extraordinaire and down-tempo beat-maestro, DJ Drez, dazzles listeners with a splendid release of contemporary beats, South Asian drones, and electronic sensibility with tranquil percussion and magnificent mantras. The fifteen tracks traverse worlds of Indian beauty, sonic explorations of yogic styles, and vocals that are Krishna-centric and blissful. Various singers and/or instrumentalists are featured, including Marti Nikko, Kirtaniyas, Domonic Dean Breaux, Arjun Baba, Joey Lugassy, and Deepak Ramapriyan. The typical kirtan dance instrumentation is here, but a good dose of dub beats and contemporary dance rhythms are also present. There is also a hint of jazz thrown in on ""Wind Talker." The tabla percussion, sitar drone, and various instruments are mostly electrified, but there is still an inherent beauty in the raw, wholesome delivery of the songs. Anyone interested in Black or White Swan Records will probably already know about DJ Drez, but now it is time for others in the world to discover his talents. ~ Matthew Forss