Customer Reviews

Liberation

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Karsh Kale (pronounced Kursh Kay-lay) is an absolute genious! I'm not at all familiar with his contributing works to former group Tabla Beat Science or his debut album "Realize" but his sophmore release "Liberation" is truly stunning. I'm completely enthralled with this man's talents and, from now on, will most likely buy anything I see with his name on it, as it's sure to be good.

"Liberation" is a myriad of sounds for he's drawn to his Indian heritage but influenced by his modern-day upbringings in England and New York, hence resulting in some interesting fusions which prove to be eclectic and mesmerizing. Electronics merge to meet the cinematic strings of Madras Chamber Orchestra, intricate tabla playing (hand drums), lush, atmospheric soundscapes, jungle fevered break beats and haunting, almost mournful vocals by Asian singer Vishal Vaid and Falguni Shah.

Every track is brilliantly composed and aurally breathtaking but "Milan", which means "Meeting Of Two Rivers" and is dedicated to his daughter, is one of the most gorgeous songs I have ever heard before and is augmented with the bansuri (Indian wood flutes) and a guest performance by the most respected tabla player in the world, Zakir Hussain.

Well there's not much else to say because words can't fully express how amazing this album is but please take mine and everyone else's word, it seems, and buy "Liberation" asap. It's one of the best worldbeat albums ever made and I highly recommend it.

. . . I bought this album because I mistakenly thought it was a disc by that all-time beach volleyball great, Karch Karaly, the only man to win a two-man beach volleyball tournament in his forties. Just kidding.

I do remember KK from his guest stint on Dave Douglas's Freak In. And I was impressed.

Admittedly, this disc is a little beyond my usual categories, so you, gentle judges, may be forgiven if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about. In the end, I think I like it. Quite a bit, actually. It seems to be operating in musical territory not completely removed from world jazz, a musical area I do know something about: It maps an alien (though not incompatible) sensibility (neo-Indian classical) onto an emerging musical aesthetic--electronica/trance/global house(?!). I don't know, I may be way off here; that's just what it seems like to me.

It's all rather enjoyable, with some cuts working spectacularly ("Milan," which is, simply, just absolutely gorgeous, "Break of Dawn," which has that mysterioso Indian drone-thing happening all over it, and "Letting Go," another ravishingly beautiful number). The inclusion of the Madras Chamber Orchestra is a touch of genius.

Really, the more I listen to this, the more revelatory it seems. Do check it out.

Karsh Kale is the AR Rahman of the Asian Massive movement. No composer out there has the versatility of Karsh Kale. Realize was itself an amazing album, but this album really tops expectations. While most Asian Massive is just really a blend of western-style techno with some Indian instruments, Karsh Kale manages to blend so many different styles of music into one fluid composition. He keeps intact a lot of Indianness and adds even more to it. In this album, it is the addition of the Madras Chamber Orchestra that makes every track particularly amazing. Overall, it is definitely an album for everyone to listen to, as invariably, everyone will find something to like about his compositions.

Picks of the album:
2) Instinct - A very atmospheric and moody piece that makes some lovely background.

4) Milan - My personal favorite. The piece is so beautifully composed that one cannot help but fall in love with individual phrasing.

10) Epic - A very nice closure to a wonderful album.
-Rishi J

I'll be the first to admit that I don't usually listen to electronic music. I often find the music cold and distant.

But I was in a music funk. Sick of the 1400 songs on my iPod (who'd a thunk it?), I bought this album, my first CD purchase in almost a year.

To say this album is electronic would do it no justice. Yes, it's electronic but it's also very organic. Kale mixes break beats with tablas. He uses synths AND sitars. And the vocals are heartbreaking, like Indian opera. Yes, on paper, it sounds very strange.

But the result is a truly beautiful album that is probably the most original record I've heard in years. All I can say is pick up this album because it'll amaze you!

Great fusion of eastern melody with western beats. Definitely an album to have if you are a fan of Talvin Singh, Medival Punditz and others in the same genre. Liberation is also best KK album to date.

I agree with the other reviewer stating that this is Karsh Kale's best. This is truly a beautiful, uplifting album. I can play this CD all night and not get sick of the beats, rhythms, and soothing orchestra, synths, and vocals. My favorites are Milan, Break of Dawn, and Epic. Buy this now and enjoy the journey... you won't be disappointed.

Liberation is a truly liberating musical journey through sound from beginning to end... I have all of his cds (I do believe) including Tabla Beat Science... To me this cd shows a direction of growth for Kale, both in producing and musicianship... I've yet to see him live, and one day I hope too... For Karsh has fused the East and West seamlessly... Traditional Indian music melded with future electronic sounds and music... It has a vast inclusion of instrumentation from violin/a chamber orchestra, bass, various drums, sarod, sitar + a few more... So I do recommend this cd to any nu world music/south asian beats cd dj or lovers of that genre - cheers and happy new year - DJ Dakini-NYC aka Savannah Skye...

Karsh Kale improves considerably with the release, showing a new and wonderful maturity both as a songwriter and a producer. His technique and ability as a musician have never been in question. This album sparkles with life and energy, effortlessly combining acoustic and electronic, ancient and futuristic. Very good.

how about Karsh Kale meets Ryuichi Sakamoto with Branford Marsalis and Alisa Weilerstein.Now,that would be really something.i discovered these artists for myself quite by accident.Sakamotosan back in 1979 when he put out an album..."Yellow Magic Orchestra".i liked the album cover.same with the others.found some of my favorite music that way.anyway,karsh kale is really a forward looking talented artist,as are the others.heck!i can dream,can't i?

Karsh Kale's "Liberation" is in a similar vein to his breakout hit, "Realize." "Liberation" is slightly mellower and contemplative. It evokes an Indian dreamworld. It's too mystical for the dancefloor, and too intense for the yoga mat. It's in a musical liminal area, opening the doors of perception.

The opening title track throbs with life. "Analog Mood Swings" is complemented with chanting. "Milan", dedicated to Kale's daughter of the same name, is gentle and spiritual. It's playful and childlike with the dancing tablas. It's about approaching the world with innocence. "Cinematic Reprise" and "Epic" are more mystical takes on the Bollywood song-and-dance spectacles. They turn spectacularly campy entertainment into moments of enlightenment (Kale does collaborate with the Madras Chamber Orchestra)

"Liberation" is musically liberated. Free from particular genres, it takes the listener into another world.