Traditional classical music from India by: Jasdeep Singh Degun | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | Trilok Gurtu, produced by Cobie Ivens
I– Jasdeep Singh Degun. (21:31 min)
Indian-Briton Jasdeep Singh Degun studied with grandmaster Dharambir Singh, who played an important role for many British-Asian musicians. The album Anomaly is an exceptionally ambitious project, especially for a debut album. Degun shows himself to be extremely skilled both on the sitar and in the role of composer. And although the album has all the elements of a fusion album, traditional Indian elements are mixed with electronics, Western instruments and classical music, so that the pieces retain the solemnity that characterizes Indian classical music.
CD. nomaly – Jasdeep Singh Degun. LABEL: Real World Records (2022) code: CDRW240. VIDEO
II– Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. (21:22 min)
Nusrat was born in 1948 in Faisalabad, Pakistan. He became the best-known interpreter of qawwali music, a music deeply rooted in Islamic Sufism. It is a tradition passed down from father to son, and Nusrat’s family has been playing the music for over 600 years. Besides his striking appearance (Khan weighed about 150 kilos), he was notable for his enormous range and long notes. Western listeners discovered Khan’s music through its appearance on film soundtracks. Nusrfat died in 1997 (at the age of 48) after suffering a cardiac arrest.
CD. A Sufi supreme – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. LABEL: Manteca (2003) code: 651.2046.020. VIDEO
III– Trilok Gurtu. (16:33 min)
Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu has been one of the world’s best drummers for many years. Like no other, this Bombay-born musician builds bridges between Eastern and Western music styles and musical techniques. He mixes classical Indian, pop, jazz and funk music styles into an inspiring eclectic whole. For the album Broken Rhythms, Gurtu invited Indian singers and musicians, plus several guest musicians including: guitarist Gary Moore, the Arke String Quartet and the Tuvan ensemble Huun Huur Tu. With Broken Rhythms, Trilok Gurtu amazes the listener with how fruitful such cross-pollination between Asian, Western popular and classical music can be.
CD. Broken rhythms – Trilok Gurtu. LABEL: Mintaka (2004) code:MINT 001. VIDEO
Thanks to:
