Customer Reviews

Talvin Singh Presents Anokha Soundz of the Asian Underground

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A great CD. I've been listening to it since I bought it almost 3 years ago.At that time, Asian Underground movement in UK was in its infancy period,and I was introduced to the movement with this CD. So much happened since then. Talvin Singh was involved in 'Star Rise' project, a tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, released his solo debut named 'OK' and received the prestigious Mercury Prize. He also remixed songs by artists like Madonna, Blondie etc. And now he is considered the center figure of Asian Underground. His songs in this album are terrific. Especially 'Jaan' which is also used as Philips commercial music. Vocals by Indian singer Amar are amazing. Her own solo song (Heavy Intro) is stunning. The only other album I heard her voice on is Algerian rai singer Khaled's latest album "Kenza". She contributes to Middle-Eastern -Indian fusion "El Harba Wine". Great song.. I definitely recommend it. Another important contribution to this album comes from drum'n'bass band State of Bengal.Their both songs are amazing.They also contribute to Star Rise project with the best Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan remix (Shadow remix).I also listened to their other remixes to Bjork (Hunter), Massive Attack(Inertia Creeps) and DJ Cheb i Sabbah (Shri Durga). All these remixes are great. Recommended.. I think a State of Bengal album was released in UK, but not here in US. Other important contribution is from AR Rahman who is a well-known movie soundtrack composer in India. The piece in this album is from the movie called "Mumbai". Great piece, isn't it? If you liked this song, check out "1947 Earth" soundtrack again by AR Rahman.Although not as good as "1947 Earth", another album that you can find in US is "Vande Mataram". The title track is amazing, but the rest is not as good. Other than that, all songs in this album are good although the other contributors have been pretty obscure so far. I also recommend Badmarsh & Shri, DJ Cheb i Sabbah and all these guys' godfather Ananda Shankar.

Talvin Singh has a rarity in style that comes from his Indian roots and western upbringing,.... melding these two musical influences, that are mutually disjoint in structure and equally satisfying individually, requires the work of a genius. Talvin strains to forge a joint between these two musical spheres while all along expressing himself in the Drum n' Bass/ Jungle/ House genres.

This CD is the result of an experiment that began with Talvins budding career as an underground DJ catering to the diverse Asian community ( unlike the US, the term 'Asian' in UK conveys an East Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi/Sri Lankan stereotype). From there his career took a blazing turn upwards,... his sets were immensely popular, he carved a niche that had all his DJ peers in neighbouring Holland dumbfounded and tapping their feet at the same time. Talvin created a whole new sub genre,.... The Asian Underground.

This CD is masterly in that it respects both influences (Indian tunes and Drum n' Bass) creating a throughly enjoyable, melodious work of art. The CD does have issues in the flow. Songs 6 and 7 do not exactly go with the heavy dub sounds of its earlier siblings, the 'Mumbai Theme' being a fish out of the jewel case. And all the following songs are a mellow and have a trippy edge to it, relying more on the Tabla.

But overall, this CD is highly recommended. It's a purveyor of brilliant diversity in a seemingly repetitive genre. The bassline is deep, smooth and floods your senses.

This is a wonderful album, full of luscious beats and voices. If any of you remember that Philips c.d. burner commercial where the guy makes a club mix, brings it to a club, d.j. puts it on, and an angelic voice follows, while he and this girl dance...anyway that's the first song on the album, and that's Amar's amazing voice. If you just want to be consumed by beats and entranced for about and 70 minutes, pop this baby in. I consider it one of the finest c.d.'s I own, and I thoroughly recommend it to everyone. I had no idea what it was when I purchased it, it just looked interesting, and it was a wonderful surpriYy

I have heard lot of Indian musicians from UK like Apache Indian, Stereo Nation, Noble Savages and many more. BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS! Talvin uses the latest technology like CD Man through which he can record on line . Talvin has also give a brilliant dimension to the ambient sound of tabla -- more populary known as tablatronics. Drum-n-bass along with Indian music sounds excellent. Although sadly there is very little market for Talvin's album in India as out here people are still growing to the sounds of Aqua and Cartoons. I would say group up pal! Sun is shining, but you ain't seeing it. `Jaan' featuring Amar has excellent beats, watchout-- your speakers might just burst (kidding!) Flight IC408 by State Of Bengal has a good intro, the typical Indian style, but I feel now it is changing -- they sound more better, se how globalisation changes everything. I was bit surprised with A.R. Rahman's Bombay theme included in this record as it has no connection with the Asian underground music, nevertheless it is a great instrumental piece. The movie Bombay was based on the theme of the riots which occured in Mumbai city some years back. Amar, State Of Bengal and Talvin were here in India and they performed at some local discotheques. Coming to the negative aspect about this album is that there is lot of repetitive beats which is like the typical European stuff. Go get this record, you won't regret it. I loved it.

This album does for Indian music what Dead Can Dance did for Celtic -- updated and innovative, but won't disappoint those thos enjoy traditional Indian music.

I remember hearing about a dj called Talvin Singh back in '96 who was supposedly really popular in the U.K and in India due to his music abilities digitally and with live instruments (the Tabla(s)). Then in '97, looking at the newest imports at my favorite record store on the south side, I saw Anokha-Soundz of the Asian Underground. Knowing that is was by Talvin Singh and all the hype about it in the store: I bought it. I've been listening to it ever since. It helps me with my Aztec Meditating Exercises.

I'd heard Flight IC408 years ago, never really gave it much attention. Then one day, at my ex's house, I spotted Anokha on her CD rack. I popped it in, and was blown away. Jaan is one of the coolest tracks I've ever heard, I'm still trying to find a set to hook it into(and I'm close). I do agree with one of the other reviewers in that the album has flow problems, and it jumps too much at some points. On the whole, though, I love it. Can't wait to get into more of his stuff. :)

Even months later, I find this cd to be SUCH a sophisticated dance of eastern and modern sound. pure and fresh, it is free from the contrived fusion of more recent Anglo-Asian electronica works that do not come close to the level of Singh's original vision. Anokha is simply brilliant.

One of the First Disks I had bought, this CD is a great adventure for you mind. It starts of with "JAAN", a good trippy into to the disk. It speeds up through the next few tracks are mixed fast and slow tracks, including my favorite, "Flight IC408". The Rest of the CD is very mellow, but deffinatly a great mixture of sounds. I highly recomend it.

Even though this CD was released 3 years ago, it sounds VERY VERY modern. It is one of my favorite CDs... and has a wonderful variety of dance music, but with traditional flavours. I just found out about this Talvin Singh dude, and Asian Underground this year.. I know, sad, but I live in Latino community! Anyways... It is TRUELY amazing, I wish I could explain it better. :/