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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Philtre, the latest album from Nitin Sawhney, is certainly cause for celebration. More rounded and palatable than his previous efforts, this doesn’t quite surpass the benchmark set by his celebrated Beyond Skin album, though in its own right it’s a remarkably accomplished piece of work.
Setting the tone with the downbeat, moody "Everything", the album is a treat that twists and turns at every opportunity, gathering up lazy, loping Beck-style hip-hop at "Dead Man" (complete with attractive slide guitar), cinematic strings, polite drum n bass ("Journey"), flamenco, turntablism and whatever else it can, throwing it all into the melting pot. After establishing the various styles, the second half of the album picks up and contains the most satisfying moments, like the R&B flavour of "Throw" and funk-lite of "Flipside".
The freshness of the album, however is ensured by the plethora of guest vocalists, who are utilized effectively, keeping interest where a single voice would drag. All the vocalists are salutary, but the most effective use is with the two "Noches En Vela" interludes provided by Mexican fusion collective Ojos de Brujo which alleviate the album just when it needs it. A fascinating, highly recommended, sonic journey all round. --Thom Allott
Review
Nitin Sawhney is never at ease. Since the release of Human in 2003, he has DJd all over the world from the Hollywood Bowl in LA to London's Fabric, assisted the Royal National Theatre, starred in award-winning TV programmes and written scores for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and about a dozen films. Back in the studio doing his own material, it's the same crisis: no genre quite satisfies Sawhney, no suit ever fits.
On Philtre, he travels restlessly though global club beats, Indian classical music, hip-hop,Bengali folk and occasionally somersaults away from this already eclectic milieu to toy with Flamenco, Americana and old-style Soul. No single tune is exactly representative, but "Dead Man" is typical: you're not sure if you're in Arizona or Assam. Oh, and it's slow pounding rhythm, grinding guitars and blues-Bollywood vocals (shared with soundtrack star Reena Bhardwaj) are just sublime.
Collaborations are the crux of Sawhney's work. With Barcelona-based flamenco-hiphop collective Ojos de Brujo he teases out a stunning, fast-plucked two-parter, "Noches en Vela" and the equally frantic "Footprints". Tracing a melodic line from flamenco to raga, it's a subtly modulated burst of Hindu-lusian passion. He also teams up with Ninja Tune's Fink and human beatbox Jason Singh, as well as regular invitees Tina Grace, Tai and Sharon Duncan - and Mrs. Sawhney, his mum, guests on a Rag Doll, bright Hindi poem about a walk along the Ganges.
He's often angst-ridden and energetic and can deliver raps and rants with gut-twisting anger, but Sawhney also knows how to slow down: much of this album is meditative and mellow. It opens with a slow, pulsing triphop 'Everything' and often makes excursions into yogic, relaxing ambient: "Void", "The Search", "Sanctuary". Elsewhere, the danceable beat hasn't gone - but it's now more of a deep, subdued groover pulsing through all the songs. Imagine Moby with a cultural heritage and an attitude.
Prolific, polyglot, political - Sawhney preserves modern music's mental health. In many ways, he's Britain's Indian Manu Chao, but this album suggests he is not so much a global magpie in the postmodern mould as an aspiring craftsman. He weaves fusions with delicacy and pays tribute to well-established, traditional styles and genres rather than slapping and scratching them into a cacophonous collage. 'Philtres' are magic potions, healing balms - they make life better - and only canny, cunning wizards like Nitin Sawhney know how to mix them and serve them up. --Chris Moss
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is magic!,
By sheila mason (worcester United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Philtre (Audio CD)
Be prepared for a world tour of music! The latest album from Nitin Sawhney is as eclectic as ever. He manages to overlay an array of genres to compile an exciting compilation that is surely his best so far. Each track offered is better than the last. If you are a fan of Nitin Sawhney and his amazing entourage then this album is for you. Its hard to see how this can be bettered. My only criticism that a few of the tracks are too short leaving the listener for more. Go and buy!
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
He's done it again.,
By
This review is from: Philtre (Audio CD)
Im SO excited about this album...I know people will be all 'up in arms,'about this but I wasnt to keen on Nitin's last album Human. My fav's would have to be Beyond Skin and then Prophesy but that said Human saw Nitin delving into new areas. The great thing about this album is that he has merged the new style from Human and the best qualities of all his previous albums. For those of you who are Nitin Sawhney virgins all I can say is that you need to get a clue about this guy he has an amazing back catalougue of work...he's even better in concert (cant wait till the 4th...hes playing at Shep's Bush empire 3rd/4th May) coupled with that this album is something else. It has a strong eastern/asian influence with an ounce of nu-soul, jazzy r'n'b with the hip moving beats of South America. This album (if you really appreciate good music) will evoke emotions and feelings that can only be described as that feeling you get when sat outside on a warm summers day where the breeze is the only thing that brings you back to reality from the imaginery world you drift of to when taking in the sun and forgetting about all your worries. (sorry I know that was REALLY corny but listen to it and you'll know what I mean)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Versatility,
By
This review is from: Philtre (Audio CD)
this is my second Nitin CD having started with Prophecy back in 2001 which I received courtesy of Pete Waddingham at V2 Records A&R and played a lot on my local radio stations...it's truly lamentable that I didn't get any of his other work until now, 6 years later. This is a different album indeed to Prophecy and a wealth again of guest vocalists. I was transported back to my fave New Orleans by the snappy blues intro to Dead Man then smiley and amazed at the smooth switch to eastern indian vocals and themes within a 'blues' track.. a classic example of the blending of genres which Nitin presents so well. This is followed up by the recited raga like Rag Doll then launches into the wonderful swirl of indian faux 'celtic' orchestrations of Mausam, reminiscent of Loreena McKennit and on and on with delights after delight.. a superb album - less harsh and socially critical than Prophesy but an intensely rewarding listen, especially for an eastern souled person like me. I wish I could play the sitar better than I do at times like this. The rest is pure Nitin magic.
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