Customer Reviews

Mondo India featuring A.R. Rahman

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

 

 

This CD is essentially an A R Rahman compiliation with two extra selections, one by R. D. Burman and one by newcomer, Vishal. Even at his young age, Rahman's production staggers the imagination of those used to western artists, having sold over 100 million cassettes and CD's of his filmi soundtracks in Tamil and Hindi. The question might be why these 10 tracks and not others and there is really no answer to this other than the personal taste of the collector and fan. Nothing wrong with that and Rahman's tracks here are of high standard. As an introduction, Mondo India is as good as any although one might do better to just buy a soundtrack like Jeans, Thenali, Dil Se or Zubeidaa and have a better first taste.

I had never listened to Indian music when I got this CD. I've found this CD really thrilling and beautiful. Almost all of the selections are compositions by A.R. Rahman, India's foremost composer. According to the excellent (and literary) liner notes by Gerald Seligman, these are all songs from Bollywood films. Seligman even states that Indian music IS film music. The sumptuous orchestrations, haunting melodies and infectious rhythms make for a wonderful listening experience. I've enjoyed this music three ways: 1) while driving on the highway 2) listening to it intensely at home in private and 3) using it as background music while performing mundane tasks around the house. It's good all three ways. I've enjoyed this CD for a couple of years and have given it as a present to several friends. This is music I want to share. Thanks to the Mondo series for making this very accessible Eastern music available to Westerners.

Unlike some of the other "Mondo" albums, this collection may not be representative of the breadth and depth of Indian music, but it makes for great listening all the same. "Mondo Asian" features primarily the polished, intricately textured compositions of R.A. Rahman, billed as "India's greatest contemporary film composer". The CD cover continues: "By incorporating western production styles and sensibilities to Indian traditions, Rahman has created a music that is universal even as it is distinctly Indian." Traditional Indian instruments and vocal techniques merge with western harmonies and structures to create compositions that are as fascinating as they are fun. Especially striking are the hypnotic track #11, "Gropika Poornima", and track #8, the mysterious and sinuous "Suno Re", which was written by Rahman's student, Vishal.

This statement is directly taking away the achievements of a legend called Ilaiyaraja who really was the trend setter for this type of music:

"and a man who can seamlessly marry Indian and Western melodies, instruments, and techniques in a way _no one has managed before_"

Nice not to get carried away when writing reviews...

I was turned on to A.R. Rahman by the music I heard contained in the movie "Water", a beautiful Indian film. Rahman is a top composer in India and the world for movie sountracks. An album you can play over and over and not grow tired from. Well worth owning. ~ Russell

Varaaga Nathi is probably the best song on this CD and my all time favorite.