Customer Reviews

Tigers of the Raj

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a very energetic, dreamy CD replete with ancient East-Indian themes, Indian instruments (atleast 10!) and modern keyboards/percussion. I'd place it under the ambient category, but this CD really goes beyond ambient to capture the Eastern kaleidoscope of music,colors and spirituality. This is not serious ravi-shankar-type music. And it is not party music either. You just might get enlightenment with this CD...

This has got to be one of the best cd's i've ever listened to! The first time i heard i was mesmorized! The Indian beats and instruments are just mixed together soo well. Its just arwsome! Many of my family memebers have heard this cd, and within a matter of seconds they love it! and when they listen to more of it.. they fall deeper and deeper in love with it! This is a must buy cd!

There is a song for every mood on this album. You can listen for hours and sink into meditation or dance like crazy. Vocals are sensational!

A supurb East meets West woven tapestry of energetic sound over silence. This is music that reminds me it is good to be alive.

Most of James Asher music is good, but this particular CD is very good. The melody is moving, twisting and turning, with high quality sounds. The fast pace tempo makes me look for more from James Asher.

This displaces Talvin Singh's Anoka as the best Indian fusion CD in my collection. Each track has a different sound and each time I listen to this CD, there's something new that catches my attention. It's got a bit of the hindi filmi sound in some songs, a little dhol, great vocals in others... yet manages not to sound cliched with any song.

The music on Tigers of the Raj is both energizing and trance-inducing. Great for high energy meditation or to spark creativity. A couple of tracks are good for more relaxed meditations as well. Overall a very excellent collection of tunes. Anyone who likes the flavor of Hindu inspired music should love it!

I have a decent collection of "fusion" music. This CD would probably rate among the worst. The songs swing between either mediocrity or cacophony, despite the presence of some famous names such as Craig Pruess (I *love* his WELCOME HOME). There is very little substance or melody in the songs. All I keep hearing is a steady drum beat. Monotonous and boring. Listen to the samples before you buy...

Having owned this CD for some time now, and playing it regularly, and enjoying it immensely each time, I felt compelled to add my enthusiastic five thumbs up for this set. It is so great. James Asher has created an original work that contains so many compelling elements you wonder how it was possible.

The "songs" are hypnotic, and somewhat repetitious internally, but it is first and foremost a drumming exhibition. New rhythms are explored in each number, with the theme of Indian meditation carried throughout.

Each track builds and builds...this music has layers and textures that may never have been combined before...wailing rock fusion fuzz guitar weaving through Hindi stringed accompaniment (Temple Gates)....sitar with what sounds like African thumb piano (Astologer's seat)...funk jazz guitar playing off and toying with female Indian vocalist (Assam)...unique keyboard soundscapes and bubbling arpeggios alongside male Indian meditative chanting at breakneck speed from the tablas (Liquid Sky)... and so on.

All played with passion, great craftsmanship, soaring tunes, grand musical vision, suspense and surprise, and ever above all, great rhythms on a fascinating mix of Eastern and Western percussion.

My favourite tracks, "Trans-India" and "Further East", stand equal with some of the prettiest, most musical tracks I have in my entire extensive New Age, ambient, Chill and trance collection.

Great Art, this is.

All James Asher's music has very distinct themes, and Tigers of the Raj is no different.

A fabulous authentic arrangement of musical instruments, and singing, creating a feeling of mystery and anticipation, so typical of Indian culture.

James Asher has excelled in this wonderful arrangement, where one can visualise the beautiful colours, sights, sounds and smells of Indian and their national animal, the most majestic cat of our time the TIGER.

Please be aware the tiger is critically endangered with only a few thousand left in the wild, we must all strive to SAVE the TIGER.

Jane Steele