Sum and Kali

Editorial Reviews
Dirty Linen #84, October/November 1999
Ray Spiegel Ensemble Sum and Kali [Simla House SIMLA001 (1998)] "Percussionist Spiegel, who has worked with such luminaries as the Dead, the Diga Rhythm Band, and Zakir Hussain, has put together an ensemble of jazz and Indian musicians for this fine release of world fusion. Spiegel is a formidable tabla player and shines on various other percussion, as well. Stephen James (sarod and violin) and Steve Gorn (Bansuri flute) are standouts, as well. Several tracks feature Spiegel overdubbed on multiple percussion instruments accompanied by only Ira Landgarten on tanpura. Touches of jazz, blues, and reggae color the predominantly Indian overlay. Sum and Kali is a thoughtful and well-executed work."

Product Description
Ethno-Jazzy songs with Indian Tabla and Raga combined with accoustic bass and drums. Ray Spiegel has brought together some of todays top Indian and Jazz musisicans for Sum and Kali. The music ranges from meditative to ecstatic as Reggae meets ancient Raga forms and Jazz blends with devotional chants. The instrumentation itself is unique with Indian Sarod (lute), Sarangi (bowed lute), Tabla, folk and classical percussion, Bansuri Flute, and Saxophone.

Sum and Kali

Sum and Kali,Ray Spiegel Ensemble,Simla House,Sum and Kali is an original blend of the music of India with jazz, rock, tribal, and Latin flavors played by master musicians on acoustic intruments under the direction of Japanese-American percussionist Ray Spiegel who has played tabla for over 30 years

Sum and Kali

Sum and Kali
Sum and Kali
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Dance and be educated at the same time
  • A Unique and Incredible Fusion of East and West
 Sum and Kali
Ray Spiegel Ensemble
Manufacturer: Simla House
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | International | Styles | Music
Latin JazzLatin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
International JazzInternational Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
JazzJazz | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00003IBFA
Release Date: 1998-12-15

Tracks:

  1. The Love of a Goddess, Part I
  2. The Love of a Goddess, Part II
  3. Double Bhakti
  4. Colaba Blues
  5. Sum and Kali
  6. Ashes on the Beach at Puri
  7. Three Point Five
  8. Kali Ma

Album Description

Ethno-Jazzy songs with Indian Tabla and Raga combined with accoustic bass and drums. Ray Spiegel has brought together some of todays top Indian and Jazz musisicans for Sum and Kali. The music ranges from meditative to ecstatic as Reggae meets ancient Raga forms and Jazz blends with devotional chants. The instrumentation itself is unique with Indian Sarod (lute), Sarangi (bowed lute), Tabla, folk and classical percussion, Bansuri Flute, and Saxophone.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Dance and be educated at the same time.......2000-10-31

A lot of fusion CDs are really not all that musically interesting. You almost get the feeling that there is a hidden (well, not TOO hidden) formula that says use some tabla, a little sitar, and throw in a synth.... Well, this CD is really the opposite. You get the feeling that the music is the driving force behind the creation of the CD, and that the ensemble wanted to produce something that hangs together musically, has intelligence, and still provides a beat and rhythm which can inspire and amuse. Ray Spiegal's credentials are impeccible having played with such diverse musicians as the Greatful Dead, Zakhir Hussain and Tor Dietrichson, among others. The rest of the ensemble consists of excellent musicians as well, and it shows in the feeling that the tunes create. I highly recommend this CD to all fans of Indian fusion music, and to anyone who appreciates talented musicians who actually PLAY their insturments together.

5 out of 5 stars A Unique and Incredible Fusion of East and West.......2000-10-18

Sum and Kali is a true work of art created and produced by Ray Speigel. The Ray Speigel ensemble brought the fusion of eastern and western music to a new level. Never before have we heard an artist play western music and still retain the rhythm, intricacies, and feeling of classical Indian music. Sum and Kali is a jazz bass, saxaphone, flute, and violin welded to the classical Indian sarangi (Indian violin), tabla (Indian drum), dhol (Indian drum), tampura (a drone instrument), and others played by many well known artists. This album is mostly instrumental but contains a couple tracks sung by Bhagavan Das whose voice is enchanting and soothing. Ray Spiegel's mastery of the tabla is truly represented in Sum and Kali. What he has done on this album with the tabla has never been done before. The arrangement and composition of the music is unique and catches your attention. His creativity has expanded the possibilities and horizons of both eastern and western music. This album is jazzy and upbeat, yet relaxing at the same time. It is very inspirational for those who play, study, or are involved in the industry of music. It is definatly worth listening to.

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