CD Review: Shankar Tucker's 'Filament'

Shankar Tucker
Filament
Shrutibox Music

Shankar Tucker's new album, Filament, brings together neo-classical stylings, Hindustani classical music, and Western traditions in a contemporary context for both voice and instrument. Shankar is a clarinetist, but also adds vocals, guitarist, keyboardist, pianist, and percussionist to his list of talents. The wildly effervescent clarinet on "Chal Chal Sakhi" is especially intriguing, along with the vocals of Ankita Joshi. The heavily-laden cast of musicians on "Aa Re Chanda" brings out the classical, contemporary dance, and Indian music across form different forms: alaap, exposition, improvisation, and tillana. The vocals of Vijay Prakash on "Dil Hai Namazi" are very serene and ballad-like. The song is backed by Shankar's clarinet with tabla, cello, drums, keyboards, and guitar for a more modern arrangement. The more modern "Kashti" contains all the great tabla rhythms, percussion, and clarinet, but it adds the sweet vocals of Nikhita Gandhi for a truly remarkable result. Overall, Filament turns out to be the real-life thread that bridges the musical gap between the East and the West. ~ Matthew Forss    

CD Review: Quraishi's 'Mountain Melodies'

Quraishi
Mountain Melodies
Evergreene Music

Quraishi is a New York City-based and Afghan-born rubab player with a penchant for reviving traditional Afghan music with a classical and courtly edge. The entire album is instrumental and contains a minimal mix of traditional instruments comprised of rubab, tabla, and dhol. There is a classical, Hindustani connection with Afghan music and that is evident throughout the album. There are only nine tracks, but the scintillating strings, thumping dhol and tabla, and overall melodies are worthy of repeated listens. The music does not contain electronic effects or guitars. Essentially, this is true Afghan folk music that celebrates Afghanistan's national instrument as the album's chief sound. Fans of traditional Afghan music will love its nostalgic simplicity. Furthermore, anyone with an interest in the music of Central Asia will appreciate the beautiful and serene musical qualities. Great job. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Pooja Goswami Pavan's 'How Shall I Say?'

Pooja Goswami Pavan
How Shall I Say?
Innova

A prominent educator, composer, and scholar of Hindustani classical music in Minnesota, USA, Pooja Goswami Pavan present us with seven long vocal tracks. Each track is rich with North Indian classical influences and instrumentation that includes tabla, harmonium, sarangi, and tanpura. The strings are dreamy, trance-inducing, and highly-textured. The vocals reverberate with classical veins and a commanding voice. The tabla blurts out thuds that are fast and precise. The droning harmonium and sarangi fill in the melodies with a brighter tone overall. The vocals nor instrumentation are particularly catchy, but that is not the point of Hindustani music. The music should be enjoyed for its arrangements, vocals, and sounds that represent hundreds of years of practice and performance. The album runs over one-hour, which is perfect for anyone trying to immerse oneself in Hindustani musical culture. Give yourself a dose of Hindustani reality with Dr. Pooja Goswami Pavan's How Shall I Say?. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Shubha Mudgal/Ursula Rucker/Business Class Refugees' 'No Stranger Here'

Shubha Mudgal/Ursula Rucker/Business Class Refugees
No Stranger Here
EarthSync

Inspired by poetry written by Kabir in the 16th century, No Stranger Here is surprisingly refreshing, remarkable, and steeped in Hindustani traditions that are reinvented for the modern era. The spoken word artistry of Ursula Rucker provides a contemporary, yogic feel, while still remaining rich with sound and eloquent mysticism. Born in Allahabad, India, Shubha Mudgal brings a qualified, vocal presence to the mix with a pop, fusion, and Hindustani khayal background. Business Class Refugees are Patrick Sebag and Yotam Agam. These originators provide a more contemporary base with rhythmic percussion and electronic wizardry that sets the stage for a creative stew of sumptuous concoctions for any world music fan with a hankering for South Asian invasion. Don't be a stranger here...buy it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Zia Mohiuddin Dagar [2 CD]

Zia Mohiuddin Dagar
Zia Mohiuddin Dagar [2 CD]
Nimbus

The late-Zia Mohiuddin Dagar was one of the very few specialists in the rudra vina (Indian chordophone). Anyone who is familiar with Indian ragas will be enthralled by Zia's amazing playing skills. On disc one, Zia plays an alap from the Yaman raga. Disc two features the raga Shuddha Todi. Thankfully, the music is well-documented in the liner notes. This set is highly recommended for the ethnomusicology student of classical Hindustani music, as well as the casual listener of South Asian classical music. ~ Matthew Forss