Maha Maya: Shri Durga Remixed

Amazon.com
Following last year's Shri Druga (which made Amazon.com's Best of 1999 list), DJ Cheb i Sabbah returns with a series of remixed tracks from that CD. Two of the remixes are his own and the remainder are courtesy of a who's-who of the Talvin Singh-associated Asian Underground. The remixers are mainly club DJs and many of the mixes push the songs more in that direction. There are two takes of "Kese Kese": Transglobal Underground mostly deepens and buttresses the original groove and adds a heavier electronic drone behind the voice and tablas, while Bally Sagoo speeds up the tempo and adds techno-inflected bass and drum tracks. Fun-Da-Mental's mix of "Shri Durga" is more electronically deconstructed than State of Bengal's version, which relies on a warmer and more laid-back, '70s jazz-funk bass and wah-wah guitar feel. Bedouin Ascent's "Ganga Dev" is downtempo and smooth, allowing the melismatic, microtonal note-bending of the voices and stringed instrument to remain in the foreground. DJ Cheb's own two tracks seem the least tailored for the dance floor, retaining the rawer quality of the original Indian music. --Bob Bannister

Tracks:

Samarpanam (The Dhuni Mix) - DJ Cheb I Sabbah
Shri Durga - State Of Bengal
Durga Puja - TJ Rehmi
Kese Kese (Where's The Sarangi Mix) - Transglobal Underground
Ganga Dev - Bedouin Ascent
Kese Kese (Beast Of Asia Mix) - Bally Sagoo
Shri Durga (The Organic Science Mix) - Fun Da Mental
Radhe Krishna (The Babu Chandidasa Mix) - DJ Cheb I Sabbah

Amazon.com

Following last year's Shri Druga (which made Amazon.com's Best of 1999 list), DJ Cheb i Sabbah returns with a series of remixed tracks from that CD. Two of the remixes are his own and the remainder are courtesy of a who's-who of the Talvin Singh-associated Asian Underground. The remixers are mainly club DJs and many of the mixes push the songs more in that direction. There are two takes of "Kese Kese": Transglobal Underground mostly deepens and buttresses the original groove and adds a heavier electronic drone behind the voice and tablas, while Bally Sagoo speeds up the tempo and adds techno-inflected bass and drum tracks. Fun-Da-Mental's mix of "Shri Durga" is more electronically deconstructed than State of Bengal's version, which relies on a warmer and more laid-back, '70s jazz-funk bass and wah-wah guitar feel. Bedouin Ascent's "Ganga Dev" is downtempo and smooth, allowing the melismatic, microtonal note-bending of the voices and stringed instrument to remain in the foreground. DJ Cheb's own two tracks seem the least tailored for the dance floor, retaining the rawer quality of the original Indian music. --Bob Bannister

Customer Reviews:

Great remix.......2007-02-24

Love the classical sounds mixed with modern beat. If you enjoy the traditional sounds of Hindi music but like a little more umph - this is the perfect CD. I lost my first copy and had to replace it.

Nothing like Shri Durga!.......2007-01-01

Let me guess: you're thinking of buying this record because you loved DJ Cheb I Sabbah's Shri Durga and want more. Don't do it! That is unless you really like bland dance music with a slightly jazzy feel. Basically every song on Shri Durga is superior to anything on this rather uninspired effort. Outside the context of comparison to Shri Durga, it's not that bad, as far as mellow, jazzy dance music goes, but if you're looking for more Shri Durga, you'll be better off looking elsewhere. Krishna Lila would be an excellent choice.

Remixing on the Ganges.......2006-09-14

This is the first remix album I ever got,not for the dancefloor but for creative variations on the original theme.Six Degrees Records is excellent in choosing specific world music artists-such as DJ Cheb I Sabbah,Bebel Gilberto,and Karsh Kale-then pairing them with talented remixers.

This album introduced me to the great Bally Sagoo,whose funky re-interpretation of "Kese Kese" is as wonderful as the original.Later,I got a sampler of his music,and was happily surprised when Putumayo World Music used his "Noorie" on their Asian Groove compilation.State of Bengal does a lounge-worthy take on "Shri Durga." Bedouin Ascent makes a version of "Ganga Dev" BETTER than the original.Transglobal Underground's take on "Kese Kese" is as rapturous as Bally Sagoo's;they show their talents.

"Maha Maya" is a great first-time venture into the Asian Underground scene.

This ain't your traditional dance album!.......2003-11-08

I recently decided to go through some of my old cds that I haven't listened toin ages. Dj Cheb i Sabbah's Maha Maya: Shri Durga Remixed" was one of those cds that I came upon. This was my first exposure to Indian music, let alone world music. I wasn't really familiar with music outside of western culture. So this was a new experience for me. Listening to "Maha Maya" Shri Durga Remixed" certainly takes the listener on a trip to India with its traditional Indian melodies. I envisioned myself in the Taj Mahal and watching a slew of belly dancers performing. The music took me awhile for the melodies to grow on me. It is certainly by no means your traditional dance remix album. I however dug Transglobal Underground's version of "Kese Kese" (Where's the Sarangi Mix" right from the get go. It has a nice beat. Dj Cheb i Sabbah did a good job at mixing and making sure that the music flowed well together. I am definitely curious to hear dj Cheb's other cds now that I have re-discovered this little gem of a cd.

Very good.......2002-08-27

I am a Tribal Belly dancer and have a blast with this CD. It is a fun little trip to the East, but on a party bus instead of a Camel.