Oud, sitar, fretless guitar, oriental percussion, and African basses blend seamlessly on this groovy and intelligently created masterpiece of acoustic fusion.

8 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: World Fusion, WORLD: World Beat



Details:
"Bluesand" (2001-4) represents a major leap in Edward's recording career. His intension, with this 4 year composing/recording project, was to gracefully combine all the element of his musical development thus far: Bluesy "Afro" roots, with Indian (and Arabic) music. The album flows smoothly and deeply, but without a dull moment. Sitar, oud, fretless guitar, and Edward's Indian and bluesy vocals are featured throughout. The eight oringinal composisions were painstakenly composed, recorded and produced to create an album which will surely stand the test of time as a masterpiece of modern day acoustic ethno-fusion.

Edward took a great deal of time and care with this album: composing, recording, and producing painstakingly over more than four years. However the music still sounds fresh and alive despite the perfectionistic approach with which this Cd was made. Edward wanted every note and each sound to be just right, and to a large extent achieved this. The 'tweeking/remixing' had to come to an end and now the finished produce is finally available.

On Bluesand Edward wanted to give equal space for sitar, fretless guitar, and oud, as well as stylistically equal space for Indian, North African, and Bluesy influences. The result is definately rhythmic and catchy. There are no ballads on this record but each tune is gentle in its grooviness. Friedsitar's Scott White contributes with some unbelievable bass playing and strong compositional ideas.

Versitile world percussionist Patrick Feldner, Edward's longtime intimate collaborator definately provides Bluesand's solid backbone, in fact the entire Cd was composed using Pat's drum grooves as a foundation. Pat also contibuted many conceptual ideas, and a melodic theme on 'kalimba' (in "Megh"). In many ways Bluesand is the first of it's kind, more than likely to be remembered as somewhat of a 'blueprint' for many Edward Powell CDs to follow... at least that is the author's sincere intent. Please, listen on...