Customer Reviews

Essence of Rhythm

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once again, Ustad Zakir Ji has proved his mastery over the tabla in this most amazing recording. I enjoyed this recording for a number of reasons: he demonstrates ways and methods to play off of odd timed cycles of 10, 12, and 15 beats - rather than the age old favorites of 4, 8, or 16 (which everyone feels comfortable in). He takes these, and incorporates "tukras" and "kaidas" of teen taal and kehrva and shows how to confuse even the beat itself- that is, he places four of five, eight over fifteen, 32 over six, 49 and a half over nine, 20 and three quarters over three and a third...and unless you are locked into the lahara (the cycle keeping melody behind the tabla) you will trip over yourself trying to find the ONE. also, except for the track that his younger brother, Fazal Ji (who is also AMAZING), accompanies him on - this cd is pure Z A K I R. He plays the sarangi, he plays the tabla, and he plays the tabla (duets with himself). Tuning his tablas to the root note as well as the perfect fourth (correct me if i'm wrong), he gets a really cool sound with duel tabla solos, and tabla duels between the "Sa" pitched tabla and the "Ma" pitched. Thank you, Ustad Ji.

Ustad Zakir Hussain is one of the most famous living master tabla players. He tours and records widely. This CD showcases his drumming.

The sarangi and tanpura are very much in the background, playing the melody and drone of traditional classical music of India. The tabla playing is indeed masterful and brilliant. The music is well-recorded.

Any fan of truly exceptional drumming should enjoy this recording. Fans of traditional Indian music may wish to hear more of the other instruments in the mix.

~heidimo

Anyone who knows the name Zakir Hussain knows to expect nothing but top notch tabla acompanyment. This cd spotlights this phenomanal artist in three solos. Mindboggleing intrcacy and impecable timing are but a few things to expect from this indescribable cd. A must have for percussionists, tabla enthusiasts, or anyone whose heart beats.

This disc lives up to its name. Zakir Hussain is an extraordinary artist and his tabla playing almost seems melodic at times. There is a drone accompaniment from Suchismita Chatterjee, but Zakir is very much to the fore on each of the three tracks. Incredible virtuosity on an instrument you either love or hate. It is entrancing - and I love it.

This is a great CD of Ustad Zakir Hussain's tabla art. Just a quick note of clarification: the notes seem to indicate that Zakir Hussain played the sarangi for this recording. I highly doubt this to be the case. If anyone knows of Ustad Zakir Hussain's long association with the magnificent Ustad Sultan Khan, one will immediately recognize the sarangi playing of this recording as belonging to this great performer.

This album is an excellent example of Zakir's well-known mastery of the tabla. The choice to include only three compositions means that each is a deep exploration of a particular tal, beginning with a simple introduction to the theme and then moving through progressively more complex variations. Some of these involve very complex meters and can be a real challenge to follow!

The sound quality is very good with Zakir very much in the foreground. As others have mentioned, despite what the liner notes may say, it seems much more likely that Sultan Khan is playing sarangi.

This album is very much worth purchasing. It's a challenging listen and not something you'll tire of easily!

This is a masterpiece by an elite artist. I grew up listening to Ustad Zakir's father, late Guru Ustad Allah Rakkah. The tradition in the family is continuing with adaptation to the modern society in the Orient and in the west. After playing Thabla and the kit for 45 years, this album provides me more study material, yes I love it. Sarath

For anyone who appreciates the art of Tabla drumming, this is an incredible recording. His incredible sense of time; his ability to superimpose hemiola figures over these odd meters is truly remarkable. The legato of his bayan playing, the clarity, all point to genius.

Zakir Hussian is always good but this is very very good.

I'm no expert in this kind of music, but I do like to listen to it as performed by good, imaginative, skilled artists. I purchased this MP3 album and was quite disappointed. It's just the same motifs over and over with basically no invention or variation. I probably will never listen to it again - wasted money.