- Audio CD (14 July 2003)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: V2
- ASIN: B000067FW9
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 632,606 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Human is the sixth album by Mercury Music prize nominee Nitin Sawhney, whose career has ranged from helping devise the comedy series Goodness Gracious Me to writing for Sinead O'Connor. In between, he has made a series of albums in which he has reconciled his experiences as a British-Asian with his internationalism, his ethnic roots with the eclectic musical environment in which he has found himself. Despite the numerous guest artists it features, from Blur collaborator Alani to Natacha Atlas, Human is Sawhney's most personal album to date.
Inspired by a reading of William Blake's "Songs of Innocence and Experience", Human is essentially autobiographical, commencing with "The River", an allusion to the Ganges and the life and death cycle, moving onto his often difficult British upbringing in which he experienced racism via Enoch Powell's speeches, physically in the playground and even from his teachers (one of whom, he learned, was a National Front member). Disillusionment dawns but then, as he's enriched by this grim wisdom, optimism springs anew.
All this is tracked musically by a mosaic of styles (Sawhney deplores the term "fusion", with its implication that certain things don't "naturally" belong together), ranging from flamenco to electronica. Although never abrasive, Human is a ruminative album which doesn't leap out at you--you must come to it. Nonetheless, highlights include "Rainfall" (reminders of Stevie Wonder) and "Heer", an ancient raga whose delivery here is couched in movingly desolate tones. --David Stubbs
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Sawhney’s latest offering is an excellent display of his natural musical talent. Unlike Prophesy, Sawhney has a much more personal approach to his music. As with his previous albums he still manages to fill the void between Eastern and Western musical influences, pulling the two together creating an delicate mix of styles.
He continues to use the infectious vocals that we sampled on 'Beyond Skin' and 'Prophesy' and combines this with his natural chilled out style. 'Fallen Angels' is probably one of the most beautiful and serene tracks he has ever laid down in the studio, but be prepared for the more dance-orientated tracks such as 'Eastern Eyes' and 'Raag' as they may come as a shock to some, and do take a bit of getting used to. It is clear to the listener that Sawhney is experimenting with new styles and is moving forward in a new direction. We can expect great things to come after this album and if you are a fan of Nitin’s previous work then this is a must have for your CD collection.
He continues to use the infectious vocals that we sampled on 'Beyond Skin' and 'Prophesy' and combines this with his natural chilled out style. 'Fallen Angels' is probably one of the most beautiful and serene tracks he has ever laid down in the studio, but be prepared for the more dance-orientated tracks such as 'Eastern Eyes' and 'Raag' as they may come as a shock to some, and do take a bit of getting used to. It is clear to the listener that Sawhney is experimenting with new styles and is moving forward in a new direction. We can expect great things to come after this album and if you are a fan of Nitin’s previous work then this is a must have for your CD collection.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have all Nitin Sawhneys albums and my favourites are the early ones (Migration and Displacing the Priest). Maybe its because they had more focus than Beyond Skin and Prophesy or perhaps the Indian influence was much more to the fore. This album at last manages to bring together Nitin's diverse style into a more coherent (and listenable) whole. I'm not one for the political/personal musings that Nitin goes in for (very sixth form), instead concentrating on the music. The tracks Falling, Heer, Fragile Wind and Raag alone justify the purchase of this CD. The rest are easy enough to listen to which is no bad thing. If you've never tried Nitin Sawhney I would strongly recommend this album over the last two.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I’ve waited a long time for this album….but it was definitely worth the wait!
Just when I thought I could never love another album the way I do, Beyond Skin, Nitin produces this stunning collection of songs, which will leave you in a hedonistic state of pure happiness.
This album feels more like Beyond Skin than Prophesy. Its smoother, warmer, and more intricate, taking a more layered approach than its last predecessor, Prophesy.
On first listening to the album, I thought it was good. As you continue to play it over and over, you begin to hear new sounds, melodies within melodies, and now I absolutley love it.
Standout tracks have to be all of them, but at a push if I had to choose just a few I'd say:
The River – A great opener, you’ll be tapping your toe to this one. Larderdarde’s vocals seem made for this track.
Eastern Eyes - Natasha Atlas is simply haunting on this track and suits Kevin Mark Trail’s voice perfectly. When the beat kicks in, this track takes off.
Falling – This is fantastic! Aqualung’s talents have been used brilliantly to create a truly beautiful track that lulls you into a magical musical soundscape.
Waiting (Oh mistress mine) – impeccable – my favourite. This track will have you mesmerised within the first 20 seconds.
Raag – a great instrumental number that blends that eastern vibe with a light electronica feel. Great build-ups and breakdowns.
Nitin fans won’t be disappointed, Nitin’s trademark sound, which is basically a bit of everything, is well represented on this album. He covers everything from DnB, to Jazz to electronica, mastering all, effortlessly.
If you’re new to Nitin, this is as good a place to start as any. Once you own one of his albums, you’ll be itching to add his others to your collection.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
enchanting
if you have the emotions of a human, you will love this. it is sublime in my opinion. I love this man's music and this record/mp3 does not disappoint.
Published 12 months ago by Julia Mathevosian
A treasure that always takes me by surprise!
I shuffle my songs. So many times when a song from this album comes on, I have found myself thinking "wow, this is really good, who is this? Read more
Published on 30 April 2010 by Narcho
Loved it!!!
Bought this album as I had heard one of the tracks previously and liked it so much I decided to buy the album. So impressed I am now going to purchase more music from this artist. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by Denise Howard
Avoid. Nothing to it.
After hearing the rich variety of musics and experiences in other Sawhney albums, there is nothing here at all. Extremely bland. Even the words don't say anything. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2008 by Mr. Edmund A. Bloxam
Outstanding spiritual music.
I love this CD. Favourite track - FRAGILE WIND. I disagree with the people who think this is weak or easy listening. Read more
Published on 17 Nov 2006 by JakeThePeg
He's done better
Very good album, but not his best. If this is the first you hear, don't be put off. The man is a genius and his older work is the kind of music you don't hear often enough. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2004 by "muckymisty"
New to Nitin Sawhney
As the title states I am new to this artists work and bought the album purely on the reviews of other people on this site and also the cheap price of it. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2004 by "tintin00"
Hypnotic
That's the word I would use. I love this CD, it's so dreamy, mesmerising and calming.
Published on 12 Sep 2003 by Mint
A big disappointment
This is the first Nitin Sawhney CD I've bought and could well be the last. There are practically no cultural references here except the sound bites between tracks. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2003 by C. R. Cheesman
This is getting 5 stars because it is brilliant, but........
Ok, for those of you that are not familiar with Nitin I will make this simple. THE MAN IS A GENIUS. I have all of his albums and this is a truly stunning piece of music. Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2003 by Richard Holding
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
