Customer Reviews

Making Music

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's little I can really say about this CD....as much as it might seem a cliche, the music speaks for itself. John McLaughlin plays some gorgeous acoustic guitar throughout the disc, and Hariprasad Charasia graces the speakers with the most incredible, enchanting sounds (although it sounds much like a flute, it's actually a bansuri {sp?), an Indian bamboo flute). The only problem that I have with this recording has been adressed by previous reviewers, which is, the saxophone of Jan Garbarek in the mix. His playing seems much stronger and intense than the rest of the music, and it is quite brash at some points, such as the sax solo in "Zakir"...there are many times where I had to turn down the volume considerably, which is sort of a hassle, especially when your'e just trying to sit and relax, enjoying the music. Garbarek is a fine enough sax player, but....it just doesn't really mix well with the other instruments. Otherwise, a fantastic disc. "Water Girl" is amazing, by the way. P.S. there is a version of the tune "Zakir" on the "Remember Shakti" double-disc set that I prefer to the one on this CD, it is much more intimate, and without the harsh (on the ears) saxophone solo!

Being an ardent fan of Zakir Hussain and lately of John Mclaughlin it was a heaven sent surprise when I found this CD on the shelf. Believe me when I got home and put it on the sensation was literally of floating on air with no contact with ground realities. However it was one of the rudest shocks I have ever received when Jan Gabarek came on the scene. The problem was not his playing but it would seem that the persons doing the mixing have a hearing problem in the mid range. The volume therefore of the system has to be lowered to maintain sanity and the excellent tonalities of the other instruments dissapear as if they were non-existent. If ECM had any consideration for brand loyalty or customer satisfaction as well as any responsibility towards the class instrumentalists on the disk, they would remix the disk and have each one of them replaced. Also it would be nice if the relevant instrumenatalists themselves could sample the commercial CD's and send in their comments.

I love this album, though other reviewers are perfectly right to point out the occasional shallow spots and sometimes over-prominent sax (why do so many of Garbarek's collaborations have this fault?). I don't think these musicians were always aiming for profundity in these sessions. The title I think is meant to be taken literally: these guys were simply making music. But it is great fun all the way through.

All the performers are highly prolific, amazingly versatile and deeply experienced collaborators. Getting them together was perhaps more of a good marketing idea than the result of any great meeting of musical minds, but the result is consistently more stimulating than any Kenny G. recording that I know.

There are also moments of great beauty, especially those produced by Hariprasad Chaurasia and Jan Garbarek. Garbarek's sax often takes up not only Indian melodies, but also mimics the intonations of Indian instruments.

Musical pleasure for almost every ear, made by great musicians having fun together.

Browsing the ECM page I stumbled across a listing for John McLaughlin--who to my knowledge had not recorded on ECM. This gem had slipped by--I found Hussain and the group very sympathetic to the overall mood of the album. There is actually little 4-member group interplay; the tunes are often series of duo and trio parts. McLaughlin is outstanding and seemingly more relaxed and not as driven as on some other recordings from this era. I would like to respectfully disagree with Garbarek's place in the mix-after all, who better to record and mix Garbarek than ECM. Let's hope these four get together for a belated followup.

The musicians here turn in great performances and the two Indian virtuosos in particular are on on a level of their own ! If you want an intro to classical Indian instrumental music this is an ideal place to start. I had it on LP and I nearly wore the disk out ! Although I do wish Garbarek's playing was a little more sympathetic.

I just listened to this again after revisiting some Shakti recordings. While there is a fusion element in the combination of Indian and Western instruments, musically it's chamber jazz like much of the ECM catalog. And it's mixed like that, so Garbarek's sax is hotter than the other instruments. A truly natural mix would be even worse! I'd give it three and a half stars if I could; it's pleasant enough, but nothing special. The most notable thing to me is John McLaughlin's restraint throughout. Like most guitarists I'm in awe of his incredible chops, but it's nice to hear how beautifully he can play when he slows down. I'd also disagree that ECM recordings are supposed to be relaxing. They're supposed to be beautiful ("the most beautiful sound next to silence"), which is not necessarily the same thing. You're supposed to listen to them, not sink into them like a hot bath.

Most of the tracks are really, really good....my special words are about 'Sunjog'. It starts with a rather unconventional note from Garbarek...Pardon my ignorance (if any) but I was not able to conclude if it is incorrect mixing or playing or a deliberately inserted 'noise' to make the oncoming note from Chaurasia, nothing but GODLY. I should admit that the first times I listened to it, the start of flute will almost bring a drop of tears in my eyes.

Must buy for anybody who wants to try Zakir, John and for anybody who wants to listen to any music of Zakir and John together, but outside of Shakti.

This is the best Indian-Western fusion music I've heard (and I've heard a lot). Hariprasad and Garbarek are a beautiful combination. Garbarek has the Indian vibe down pat. One this CD and recordings with Shankar and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, he blow his horn as if it were a shenai.

Zakir (thank goodness) doesn't go overboard as he often does elsewhere. And John plays softly and plays some of the sweetest melodies on "Zakir."

The music here has many moods and it has somehow captures what's best about Indian classical and jazz. All the musicians here are well versed in both spheres.

I wish there was a follow up recording to this, and there is to some extent. The Remember Shakti recording picks up where this CD leaves off by featuring most of the personnel on this recording.

I have to agree with the other reviewers about the volume level of Garbarek. He's just too hot in the mix. It's somewhat jarring to my senses whenever he plays.

This is unfortunate, because "Making Music" is otherwise a nice fusion of East & West. With players of this quality, it'd be hard for them to produce anything without musical worth.

This is overall a mellow excursion, maybe a bit too New Agey for my tastes. At points, such as during the track "Zakir", things almost start to sound Kenny G-ish.

I would definitely recommend looking elsewhere for all but the biggest fans of this style of music.

This is a truly wonderful album and I agree with the other reviewers. I know it's for the sake of keeping it real but, Manfred the sax is way outta control volume wise. No fault of Mr.Garbarek. All of his albums seem to be like this. SKRONK me right outta my complacency why don't you. And I thought ECM's whole deal was to make it relaxing for the listener. I think they wanted us to experience what it's like to have our ears up to the bell of Jan's horn. Anyway I still love this music! Hariprasad is DA MAN! And Zakir and Mr. McLaughlin aren't too shabby either. Monumental!