Indo-Jazz Fusions I & II

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

 

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If you were Impressed with Gilles Peterson's eponymous CD compilation, and enjoyed Joe Harriott and Amancio D'Silva's track (Jaipur), then you will love Indo-Jazz Fusions. But the music contained on this CD is far more refined and sophisticated than Jaipur, and is highly polished in terms of performance and recording quality. The entire CD gradually absorbs you into it as you listen. When you first play it you may think that the concept of synthesising jazz with Indian raga would be a mistake. Be patient! It sucks you in. You will begin to wear the music like a favourite baggy shirt, and you'll never want to take it off. In fact, it gets under your skin in a most pleasing fashion. You will want to hear it again and again. The music is so multilayered that I imagine it would take a long time before one really tires of it.
The music is fun - which isn't a phrase I'd ordinarily apply to music, nor use lightly. A few of the melodies remind me of some bizarre incidental music to some equally bizarre 1960s & 70s British kids' t.v. programmes. Catweezle and Double Deckers spring to mind...but why, I really don't know as its years since I've seen them. One melody line is reminiscent of The Simpsons theme music. Was Elfman listening too?
Yet, the sounds are so cool. I swear you'll never want some of the grooves to end, it's so funky. Pavement plodding with a Discman will never be the same again. From now on you'll bounce down the road with a grin as wide as the Dartford Tunnel with this CD playing in your 'phones. At times you will feel as though you have been cast in the starring role of a 1960s detective movie. Listening to it on a balmy summer evening, perhaps in the garden with incense and candles, you're well away. This CD will take you on the most different aural trip you'll ever experience, whilst remaining equally accesible all the same.
If you've got any inclination towards jazz, and enjoy the odd raga or two (even if your only exposure to Indian music has been The Beatles' Within You Without You or at your local curry house, you philistine), then you will appreciate this CD.
And now for the science bit...
This CD contains two albums on one disc which were originally issued in 1967 and 1968. Although only nine tracks are listed there's about 70+ minutes of playing tim. All bar one of the tracks were composed solely by Mayer, who also plays violin and harpsichord. All tracks are instrumental. Harriott's alto sax, Shake Keane and Kenny Wheeler's trumpets, and Chris Taylor's flute provide all the vocalisation you'll need. The rhythm section is a beauty...Alan Ganley (1967) and Jackie Dougan (1968) on drums, Pat Smythe on piano, Coleridge Goode (bass), supported by the superb tambura and tabla playing of Chandrahas Paiganker and Keshav Sathe repsectively. Diwan Motihar's sitar playing is a delight; breezy, light and subtle. I don't think I've ever heard such a dynamic mix of instrumentalists on one CD before hearing this.
And finally, just so you know what angle I'm coming from..I like the usual suspects, Beatles, Floyd, Bowie, Velvets, Blur, Ween and other Indie-based music. I'm partial to some classics, especially Eric Satie. Recent purchases have been Zero 7, Air, LemonJelly, and Blue States. Recently I've got into non-American jazz thanks to Gilles Peterson and will be getting more Joe Harriott CDs as soon as they re-release them.

Mayer and Harriot start the whole process of Indo-Jazz fusion. Though it takes time of a jazz fan to get into it but when he/she does, he/she will find it enthralling. On par with MJQ

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