CD Review: Debashish Bhattacharya's 'Madeira'

Debashish Bhattacharya
Madeira
Tridev Music India

Madeira is an album that explores the lighter side of Indian classical music with a mix of slow-paced ragas, upbeat rhythms, and semi-classical compositions. The album is a family affair with Debashish Bhattacharya being joined by his daughter, Anandi Bhattacharya on vocals and Subhasis Bhattacharya, Debashish's brother, on tabla. There are five tracks in all. "Madeira" is a sixteen-minute tune showcasing Raga Lalit (aalap on Chaturangui), "Morning Gait" on Raga Kaunsi Bhairav (composition in vilambit teentaal), "Jhoom" on Raga Kaunsi Bhairav (composition and jhala in med. and fast tempo), "Colours Of Love" on Raga Manj Khamaj (chaiti), and "O My Beloved!" on Raga Pilu (thurmi). As the tracks play out, each one brings in a little more percussion, vocals, and/or sitar. Anandi's vocals are sweet and light with a slight huskiness that seems to add more maturity to the mix. At any rate, fans of Debashish Bhattacharya will love the new recording, as well as fans Indian classical music in a slightly contemporary setting. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Baba Alex's 'Chandra Shakti'

Baba Alex
Chandra Shakti
Self-Release

Based in Canada, but living part of the year in India, Baba Alex is a celebrated raga musician and kirtan singer. The music is steeped in the swirling sounds of the sitar, Bansuri flute, shenai, and tabla. The seven track release is very classical in its arrangement, but the vocals reflect a more modern presentation. There are various ragas presented here, including Bhoop Kalyan, Gunkali, and few other classical music interpretations. Baba Alex speaks Hindi, Bengali, English, and French. Married to the daughter of a Baul singer, Baba Alex solidifies his mark in the world of inventive instrumental ragas and classical singing. At about fifty-minutes, this album is in-depth enough for even the most passive raga fan. Let the spirit of the Bansuri and shenai envelope your soul today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Stevin McNamara's 'Shanti Guitar'

Stevin McNamara
Shanti Guitar
White Swan Records

Ragas of Indian music are inspired and improvised on Stevin McNamara's latest incarnation, Shanti Guitar. Based on traditional Indian scales, Stevin adds his own touches of brilliance on the nylon-string guitar, sitar, and various percussion. Stevin is joined by frame drum, dumbek, madal, udu, djembe, cymbals, clay urn, gourd, shakers, bells, tabla, violin, tamboura, and other instruments. The entire album only contains six tracks, however, the album's total length of over 70 minutes makes up for the few songs. As one can imagine, the serene and meditative musings of instrumental music with an Indian influence create calming worlds of peace and tranquility. Stevin knows how to create these worlds with a commanding passion and sincere delivery. "Anam," "Song of the Sun," and "Doorway to Eternity," and "Journey to the Crystal Mountain" are also available on his earlier release, Yogitar. Still, Shanti Guitar is a great, instrumental recording for the inner being of everyone. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Ustad Fateh Ali Khan's 'Bandish: Classical Compositions Re-Interpreted'

Ustad Fateh Ali Khan
Bandish: Classical Compositions Re-Interpreted
Sachal Music

Born in Pakistan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan showcases his classical voice for eight different ragas that are re-interpreted with The Orchestra of the Great Musicians of Lahore. The raga compositions are similar in tone to Indian ragas. The instrumentation is similar, notably the sitar, table, dholak, mrdang, violin, santur, shehnai, mandolin, sarangi, sarod, viola, assorted percussion, and more contemporary instruments, including the Spanish guitar, keyboards, and bass guitar. The rich instrumentation and Ustad Fateh’s classic voice gives the music very high marks with limited outside influence. Specifically, the music may be re-interpreted, but it still retains its Punjabi charm. Every track is great. If you are into classical Punjabi or Indian music, then Bandish… is right for you! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists - 'Sachal Jazz: Interpretations of Jazz Standards & Bossa Nova'

Various Artists
Sachal Jazz: Interpretations of Jazz Standards & Bossa Nova
Sachal Music

The Pakistani and Indian contexts are mixed with jazz standards and South American bossa nova to create a rousing mix of mostly instrumental pieces. Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond's "Take Five" is a great, instrumental medley of South Asian proportions without losing any of its initial charm. "Desafinado" originally composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Newton Mendonca is brought to life in a laid-back, Bollywood sort of way. There is a fine sense of Brazilian charisma and ambiance throughout. Dave Grusin’s “Mountain Dance” is perfectly suited for the table and sitar. “Garota de Ipanema,” or “Girl From Ipanema,” is another Antonio Carlos Jobim track familiar to bossa nova fans everywhere. This is the first time it has been adapted for Indian music and the result is a winner. Producer Izzat Majeed does a fine job bringing together these original and jazzy standards for a new audience and culture. Fans of bossa nova and Indian music with a jazz undertone will love Sachal Music's latest addition. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Stevin McNamara's 'Prana Groove'

Stevin McNamara

Prana Groove

White Swan Records

Prana Groove is aptly named for a rhythmic and life sustaining journey of primal energy moving within and throughout the body. Guitarist, dilruba player, and percussionist, Stevin McNamara, present us with an hour-long journey of instrumental and monumental musical pleasure. The musical background of the tracks are highlighted in the liner notes. For instance, the melodic elements are based on Rag Malkauns and the tempo is 108 beats per minute. The nylon guitar, tanpura, various percussion, dilruba, and drum loops encompass the primary essence of the music. The wholly instrumental qualities allow for the rhythms and melodies to envelop the listener with sheer delight. Interestingly, there are only three tracks on the album. Though, the music is somewhat varied enough to keep ears interested without developing fatigue and boredom. Anyone with an interest in serious upbeat music for yoga, relaxing, or thinking, should choose Prana Groove as the way to go. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Grammy-nominated Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon

Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon

Om Namo Narayanaya: Soul Call

Soul Chants

A recent Grammy-nominated album, Om Namo Narayanaya: Soul Call, is a delicious journey of ancestral significance that draws upon ancient syllabic chants to formulate songs with different Indian ragas. A classically trained Indian vocalist, Chandrika K. Tandon, brings a soothing and intriguing voice backed by incredible instruments including sarod, sitar, esraj, violin, tabla, and various drums and flutes. Each track begins with a relatively slow pace with limited instrumentation and vocal accompaniment, but every song satisfies the soul by picking up the pace after a short time. The classical compositions are relatively modern in form and do not follow the typical raga pattern of solo sitar and vocal accompaniment. Chandrika K. Tandon's vocals are never grating or unwarranted. The Sanskrit chants and modern instrumentation strike a perfect balance between old and new without resorting to pulsating dance music or a boring and dry solo sitar and voice performance. However, a faster paced "Basanth Mukhari" might border on a Bollywood anthem with some flamenco and Central Asian elements thrown in. Overall, Soul Call is an excellent soundtrack for hope and peace in the New Year. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Shweta Jhaveri's Classical Voice of India

Shweta Jhaveri

Prabandh: Classical Vocal Forms of North India

21st Century Cosmos

North Indian classical vocalist Shweta Jhaveri presents listeners with a deeply meaningful and harmoniously moving selection of traditional vocal ragas. Prabandh can be translated as a structured vocal composition for raga and tala (rhythm). As with most traditional Indian music albums, the drone of the sitar and the muted sounds of the tabla drums are iconic fixtures of South Asian musical repertoires. The sarangi, harmonium, pakhavaj, swarmandal, and tanpura are also used. However, in this case, Shweta's emotive vocals fit superbly with the background instrumentation. Shweta's vocals are suprisingly indicative of Sheila Chandra or Kiran Ahluwalia. Liner notes contain information on various Hindustani, or North Indian classical vocal forms with track listing. Prabandh is a richly composed album of expert musicianship, serene vocals, and a great introduction into the world of North Indian classical music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Go Ga-Ga For Raga

Shivoham
Shankara
Silk Road Communications

For anyone looking for meditative or contemplative raga music, then stop no further. Shivoham is the name for Aparna Panshikar (vocals), Bhargav Mistry (sarod), and Debashish Upadhyay (keyboards). This album celebrates Shankara -- one of the great mystical poets and philosophers in India's history. There are 6 long tracks that feature sparkling and tinny sounds of the sarod, with the added beats of tabla, too. Aparna's glorious vocals add a nice touch to the music. Her voice fits quite naturally with the instrumentation and overall tempo. Shankara's 6 core beliefs of a worldview are included in the liner note book. In fact, there are nearly 50 pages of text, photos, and illustrations throughout the book. The liner notes contain song lyrics in Romanized Sanskrit and English, with commentary in English. Shankara is steeped in centuries-old tradition, but is nevertheless, a very original and contemporary album. If you want to relax, then you've come to the right place. ~ Matthew Forss