MP3 James Whetzel - My Road to Somewhere: Sarod & Beats

Innovative contemporary Indian classical music produced by accomplished electronic music producer DJ Baba James.

11 MP3 Songs in this album (39:36) !
Related styles: WORLD: Indian Classical, ELECTRONIC: Down Tempo

People who are interested in Ravi Shankar Brian Eno DJ Cheb i Sabbah should consider this download.


Details:
James Whetzel
My Road To Somewhere: Sarod & Beats

Sarod, guitar, percussion and throat singing by James Whetzel.

Additional percussion by D.W.Singh, Sharif Iqaa'ai, Gopal Ramakrishnan, and Kwasi Brunei.

Mandolin by Alessandra Delacella.
Baglama by Persefoni Stanboulis.
Additional guitar and bass by Marcus Clinton.

Track List:

1. In Big Mind

An upbeat number with traditional West African deep bass represented on prempremsoa (rumba box). The rumba box unites, polyrhythmic style, with South Asian folk beats on dhol.

2. My Road To Somewhere

The title track! This one is upbeat with heavy drums. It's a new version of the song "My Road Out Of Nothing" from the 2003 release "Capitol Hill: Secret Tracks."

3. The Beauty Of Partial Clearing

The default weather in the Pacific Northwest of the USA is "partial clearing." So if you live in the Seattle you had better learn to love it. Having a sweet Raga like Raag Bhupali to play helps one survive. The melodies and bass are based on Raag Bhupali. The Taal is Chau Taal (12 beats). Kwasi Brunei on rumba box goes to town in the breaks with an African interpretation of this classical Taal.

4. Passion in Patience

Based on a traditional set of beats used in Algerian Rai music, this piece features the sensual and powerful Raga, Raag Malkauns. "Malkauns" could be translated to mean "wealth storehouse." The raga is typically depicted in ragamala paintings as a great Maharaja or Sultan taking paan (a traditional South Asian chew, often enjoyed after meals, which is made of betel nut and betel nut leaf and various spices). This is an upbeat funky number with lots of interlocking drums.

5. On The Eve Of

Based on Raag Bageshri this piece is set in Teen Taal (16 beats). This is a piece that's mellow in the melodies and upbeat in the beats. It works well as background music and also works well as a transition to more upbeat sounds. Whetzel's version of Bageshri differs from the standard version in that the second is used in both ascent and descent. However, as is traditional, the fifth is avoided except for the melodic movement Ma Pa Dha Ga which is typical of Bageshri.

6. Closer To Wonder

Based on Raag Kafi and folk beats this one starts out sparse and gradually brings in the bass and a heavy dhol beat.

7. New More Ways to See It

Raag Bhimpalasi goes to Kumasi! The beat mixes Chau Taal (12 beats) with the Asante (Ashanti) adowa style bell pattern. Subtle and funky polyrhythms result, and some spacey whistling and throat singing thrown in for good measure. An upbeat track with lots of percussion including water drums. Bhimpalasi is typically depicted in Ragmala paintings as a tearful young woman painting a picture of her absent lover. Whetzel's version is a lighter interpretation that gets Bhimpalasi out on the town to look for someone new!

8. Marvel

Based on the exotic raga Marwa, this track is in a secret taal. Based on the exotic raga Raag Marwa this track is in a secret taal. Part of the secret is that, as in West Africa drumming, the drum parts speak. The first says: "This is the world, all that I see, I am a part of it." The second adds: "Life in this world, death in this world, hate in this world, love in this world." The third says "Everything, everything, everything!" This parts trade off and converse with each other. "Marvel" is psychedelic and dubwise.

9. Rise And Fall Of Flower Petals

Set in Chau Taal (12 beats,) the sarod parts are play a melody inspired by flowers, "Zahoor e Naghma." A moody and intellectual piece with a punchy beat.

10. Sa Wee Tah

A straight up jam! This is a festive track with a little bit of bhangra rhythm mixed with some West African talking drums.

11. Ending to Beginning

Based on Raag Bhairavi it mixes South Asian folk beats and West African afro-highlife beats. This one is funky, upbeat, and dance worthy. The bass is very heavy.