Rare Elements

Ustad Sultan Khan (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 18, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: 5 Points Records
• ASIN: B0001Z3U06
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,077 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Darren Ressler, Big Shot Magazine
"Rare Elements is an intoxicating fusion of two rhythmic cultures uniting as one"

Product Description
RARE ELEMENTS, the first release in a series of groundbreaking albums that will feature the blending of master musicians with the world's top remixers.

Five Points recorded ten original tracks performed by USTAD SULTAN KHAN, a world renowned Sarangi master. Ustad Sultan Khan has collaborated with such artists as MADONNA, DURAN DURAN, PETER GABRIEL, RAVI SHANKAR, and GEORGE HARRISON. Five Points Records then enlisted top remixers: THIEVERY CORPORATION, NICKODEMUS & OSIRIS, JOE CLAUSSELL and RALPHI ROSARIO to interpret and rework the Eastern melodies creating a union of old and new worlds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Inconsistent, October 23, 2004

By	S. Blodgett (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are some phenomenal tracks on this cd. The Thievery Corporation, Brainpolluter, and Radar One tracks (except Jana (Sad Bachelor Remix), this one didn't do so much for me) are great. They are relatively flawless fusions of Ustad's sound with the Western sound. The other tracks do nothing for me. They fall flat and sound artificial. I find this is true especially for the Joe Claussel tracks. I'm generally a fan of him, except he wasn't a good choice for this compilation. His songs sound like he just combined some keyboard licks and Ustad's exotic sound together without listening to the final product. These two aspects don't work well together. The other tracks are relatively monotonous and don't stand out. (The Ralphi Rosario track is actually decent, it is simply out of place here. It is more techno/trance than any of the other tracks on this album.) I would recommend this cd for the tracks I mentioned earlier, for they are definitly worth the price. This album isn't 4 or 5 stars due to its incosistency. More like 3.5.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DON'T MISS THIS, May 24, 2004

By A Customer

Let's face it: There have been so many attempts at electronica/Indian fusion, and so many have fallen short. Cast aside your doubts and fears, for 5 Points Records has risen to the challenge with their debut album "Rare Elements: Ustad Sultan Khan", and they have passed with flying colors. These remixers, including the well known Thievery Corperation, have taken the soulful music of Ustad Sultan Khan and transformed it into a loungy, groovy, dancy masterpiece. Perfect for parties, bars/restaurants/hotels, or an iPod stroll through town. Some highlights: Nickodemus and Osiris - Jaadu (Magic), a slamin and groovin banger featuring the deep beats and loops that they have become so well known for; Brainpolluter - Majhi Re, a hand clapin, hip shakin, urban/eastern blend that puts the Neptunes to shame; and Radar One - Meher Ali (Bollywood Burning Remix), an electro-break-beat-atom-bomb with a fist full of curry, guarenteed to inspire awe and some booty shakin on any dancefloor. Not a dull moment on this CD. Look out for 5 Points Records!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars East meets West..., May 18, 2004

By A Customer

Essential listening for fans of Thievery Corporation!! Will be a long term addition to my collection because of Joe Claussell, Nickodemus & Osiris, Radar One and the Brainpolluter songs. This CD really brings the eastern and western worlds together beautifully!!