Tantra Lounge Vol.3

HinweiseType: Compilation
Genre: Lounge/Ethnic
Date: 2005
Label: Water Music
Quality: MP3 320kbps, Joint Stereo

Review 1:
What used to be called the Asian underground — a mainly British scene comprised of South Asian musicians experimenting with wild and varied fusions of bhangra, electronica, drum'n'bass, house, and hip-hop — has been irretrievably fractured and diluted for years now, and so much the better. As the original Asian underground itself demonstrated, stylistic purity is the enemy of innovation, and as the scene has dissipated its influence has been spread worldwide. The third installment in the Water Music label's Tantra Lounge series demonstrates again how broadly the principles of funky East-West fusion have spread: artists include Asian underground godfather Talvin Singh (who gives Najma Akhtar's "Ghoom Charakhana" a slow and seductive club mix), upstart duo MIDIval PunditZ (whose funky yet contemplative "Rebirth" showcases the sitar playing of Anoushka Shankar), and the intercontinental trio Niyaz (whose "Nahan" was one of the highlight tracks of their eponymous debut album). The program generally steers clear of dense or frenetic drum'n'bass beats in favor of darker, slower, more mystical fare, but the beats are sturdy and more than danceable if that's your inclination. Very highly recommended, along with the other volumes in this series.

Review 2:
The most progressive volume to date from Water Music's Tantra Lounge series, the compilation is filled with dubby jazz and prog-electro styles paired with Bali'esque South Asian instrumentation and vocals. From the very beginning of the album, tablas and sitars rock steadily with standard jazz instrumentation, transistor turntablism, and dubbed-out-downtempo drum loops. This style is also featured later with Mister Koffy's So Much Class. After the introduction selection from Naked Rhythm (track 1), Angel Tears comes in with the loopy/classical South Asian sound of Marrakesh. Najma Akhtar, Mazachigno, and Session Twelve follow with their progressive downtempo/electro accompanied by more classical South Asian instrumentation.

Already, there is an obvious difference in the overall sound of this compilation compared to the previous Tantra Lounge precursors - that difference being the Western jazz influence heard in the construction of the compositions. The style absolutely permeates most of the selections, and it is clearly evident that there are drastic changes taking place within the genre itself.

For instance, Zohar's Midnight at the Bazaar pairs smoky jazz piano with South Asian orchestral samples and percussion, while Omar Faruk Tekbilek & Steve Shehan take a deeper jazzy downtempo progression and experiment with the afore mentioned classical South Asian orchestra and Punjabi vocals. Also pairing beautiful Punjabi vocals with a more progressive and heavier arrangement is V-Ness' Devi-V. Medival Punditz travels deeper into the auspiciously classical instrumentation of sitar and bansuri flute - this selection is by far the most instrumentally-oriented song, and one of my personal favorites. Electronica fueled neojazz shall not be forgotten as Tetris' Pink Elephant follows - And Niyaz's massive droning-electro orchestral sound and the soaring Punjabi vocals of Nahan is enough to test any club sound system. Karminsky Experience Inc and Donna De Lory rock out the final selections on the album with upbeat dance-floor-friendly pop-rhythms.
It will be interesting to see just where volume four will take us on this ever-evolving journey. The only reserve I have is for this series is: Where are the Holmes Ives and Dhamaal Soundsystem selections, and when can we expect them? Only time shall tell - onward and upward!