MIDIval PunditZ

Amazon.com
The Midival Punditz are Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, childhood chums from New Delhi who have partnered into a dynamic duo with their feet firmly planted in the worlds of recording, remixing, performing, and scene making. Effortlessly blending classical ragas and instrumentation with the beats, loops, and digital technology of contemporary electronic dance music, they produce a fusion that is listenable and danceable in equal measure. Violin, flute, tabla, various percussion, the hammer-dulcimer-like santur, and a wide variety of voices generally take the lead, while the beats and blips keep everything moving underneath. From the atmospheric "Air" to the hard and heavy "Insite," the Punditz display and impressive and deeply satisfying instinct for synthesis. A clear hit for anyone who appreciates Talvin Singh, State of Bengal, and the rest of the Asian Massive movement, this self-titled debut should also be a real eye and ear opener for anyone with a sense of musical adventure. --Carl Hanni

Product Description
The MIDIval PunditZ are spearheading a musical revolution in their home base of New Delhi, molding the shape of Indian music for the new millennium. Their unique hybrid of classical Indian ragas and electronic music has been heard on the soundtrack to Monsoon Wedding as well as with the super-group, Tabla Beat Science.

"A true Indian music outfit for the future"-Skim Magazine

"[The MIDIval PunditZ] produce New Delhi's very own sound"-Hindustan Times

MIDIval PunditZ

Tracks:

Morning
Saathi (feat. Ustad Sultan Khan)
Raanjhan
136
Rebirth (feat. Anoushka Shankar)
Khayaal (feat. Vishal Vaid)
Piya
Kesariya
Ali (feat. Kailash Kher)
Enemy
Hold On (Thaarey Rahiyo)

Amazon.com

The music of India reaches back countless generations. Yet while some continue the old ways, the digital revolution has enabled musicians there, like everywhere else, to modernize and cross-pollinate at a rate that is nearly exponential. New Delhi's Midival Punditz, which is composed of Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, are at the leading edge. Even so, the two look back to ragas, Indian classical and Bollywood even as they move forward with some of the sharpest programming to come out of the ethno-techno genre. They get old school flavor by bringing in Anoushka Shankar, Ustad Sultan Khan and others for standout performances, but these strong turns are a tribute to the production, writing and programming of Raj and Raina--the music is timeless, panoramic, and always moving forward with beats and groove. The styles are seamlessly fused together throughout, but tracks like "Saathi" and "Raanjhan" have set the bar to a new high for the duo and the genre. --Tad Hendrickson

Album Description

The MIDIval PunditZ are producers extraordinaire from New Delhi, India. When Six Degrees Records signed them to a worldwide deal, they became the first-ever Indian electronica band to sign to an international label. The PunditZ morph at will into remixers or recording artists, live performers or club promoters as the occasion demands. They have performed as members of Bill Laswell and Zakir Hussain's super group, Tabla Beat Science and have toured around the world as DJ's and performers. The PunditZ first, self titled CD spawned the underground anthem "Bhangra Fever" which has been used in a major mobile phone television campaign in India and is played regularly at Indian soccer matches.

MIDIval Times is the follow-up release that Asian Massive fans have been waiting for. Once again fusing classical Indian traditions with cutting edge electronic dance music, the PunditZ have created a masterpiece which transcends genres. The new release features guest performances from Ravi Shankar's daughter (and the heir to his musical legacy), Anoushka Shankar as well as Tabla Beat Science member and sarangi master Sultan Khan. The tracks range from beautiful, lush ambient moods to dance-floor monsters which are as influenced by such groups as Underworld and the Chemical Brothers as they are by Indian music.

Customer Reviews:

Best of Asian Massive.......2006-10-21

I had this CD for almost a year and is the one that frequents my cd player the most from the set of Karsh Kale, Talvin Singh & co.

Saathi and Rebirth are the highlights of this album - both are collaborations and the mix of instruments & styles is just right. This is in contrast to Karsh Kale (who is great as well) whose tracks often have too much going on - fortunately Midival Punditz keeps their tracks relatively uncluttered. But on a good sound system I find the bass is slightly overcooked in Raajan and a few other tracks.

I am eagerly awaiting their next album.

delightfull music.......2006-06-07

I was not sure what to expect when I chose this CD. I was not ready for this musical ride to the senses. It has the right amount of rhythm and lyrics to capture your attention and keep it to the end of the CD.
I immediately shared it with my friends from India and they LOVED it too. More likely I will acquiring another CD from them.

album review.......2006-03-20

Recommend this cd highly. Rarely do you find something good beginning to end; this album is worth it. Takes you to India when your pocketbook can't afford to.

Technology meets Tradition.......2005-07-28

When it comes to what's been widely described as the "Asian Massive" genre, the measure of an artist's success has been his or her ability to deliver the "East meets West" sound. Scores of U.S. and U.K.-bred asians have worked hard at capturing this sound. The Punditz are unique in that this Delhi-based duo's approach finds a graceful balance between technology and tradition. With "Midival Times", the Punditz have clearly mastered this approach. The album does a masterful job of integrating deeply tradional sounds and vocals with technologically savvy music production that only a set of G4 powerbooks can produce. Delhi swings baby, Delhi swings!

10 out of 10.......2005-04-20

I'm a big fan of music of this genre, but this album blew me away.

Midival Punditz have taken their game to a new level and this album is a masterpiece and a must have for any serious listener. You don't have to love this genre to love this music.

First, the sound recording and production quality is even better then the first album. You have to hear this album on a high end music system to understand the full power and impact of these songs. I don't know how they manage to pull off such high production values when other bands just screw this up.

Midival punditz have again seamlessly interwoven classical indian vocalists/instruments with some of the most cutting edge and pleasant sounding electronica sounds you can find.

Personally, I absolutely loved 9 of the 11 tracks (all the generally slow/mid tempo stuff which they absolutely nail), while I felt "Kesariya" and "Enemy" were somewhat more pedestrian attempts (and feel out of place).

I can't wait to share this CD with friends and I can't wait for more greatness from this band.

Average customer rating:

Worth listening too.....
Not of this dimension.
Late night sounds
Brilliant!!!!
Delhi Swings!

Midival Punditz

Manufacturer: Six Degrees
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Six Degrees Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Midival Times
Liberation
Tala Matrix
Asian Massive: A Six Degrees Collection
Niyaz

ASIN: B00006J3ZF
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

Air
Extasis
Fabric
Insite
Far From Home
Bhangra Fever
Mercury
Night
Forest Dreams
Ajmer
God of Love
Dark Age

Amazon.com

The Midival Punditz are Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, childhood chums from New Delhi who have partnered into a dynamic duo with their feet firmly planted in the worlds of recording, remixing, performing, and scene making. Effortlessly blending classical ragas and instrumentation with the beats, loops, and digital technology of contemporary electronic dance music, they produce a fusion that is listenable and danceable in equal measure. Violin, flute, tabla, various percussion, the hammer-dulcimer-like santur, and a wide variety of voices generally take the lead, while the beats and blips keep everything moving underneath. From the atmospheric "Air" to the hard and heavy "Insite," the Punditz display and impressive and deeply satisfying instinct for synthesis. A clear hit for anyone who appreciates Talvin Singh, State of Bengal, and the rest of the Asian Massive movement, this self-titled debut should also be a real eye and ear opener for anyone with a sense of musical adventure. --Carl Hanni

Album Description

The MIDIval PunditZ are spearheading a musical revolution in their home base of New Delhi, molding the shape of Indian music for the new millennium. Their unique hybrid of classical Indian ragas and electronic music has been heard on the soundtrack to Monsoon Wedding as well as with the super-group, Tabla Beat Science.

"A true Indian music outfit for the future"-Skim Magazine

"[The MIDIval PunditZ] produce New Delhi's very own sound"-Hindustan Times

Customer Reviews:

Worth listening too............2007-04-30

This music is good to hear
it is hypnotic
relax and let go.
I recommend them.

Not of this dimension........2005-01-16

As a musician, it is always mind-boggling when i hear electronic-based music done so masterfully, as the punditz have done. It may be that electronic music is sort of the untouched final frontier to most of us "legit" musicians, because learning to do what these two guys have done on this CD is like practically learning a whole new field. "Midi"val Punditz = Experts of Electronic Musics.

Dreamlike, exotic, erotic, sensual, spiritual, are all words that describe this CD. Assembling the sounds and soundscapes on every track took intensive creativity. Instead of going track by track, I will only tell you that the entire CD is somewhat of a mystical journey, even when certain tracks are more groove and beat oriented. Also, there is much use of actual indian instruments and percussion that really take the listener (or at least me) beyond the stars. The Midival Punditz take their beautiful Indian culture and metaphorically shine it through a modern prism, giving us this magnificent output.

Late night sounds.......2004-11-28

Like the Six Degrees compiliation Asian Travels 2, on which Midival Punditz has one song included (not from this album), this album (also on Six Degrees records) is more background music than foreground music, with the exception of "Bhangra Fever." There's a lot of beat going on but not necessarily danceable beat; I don't know the term for it--would it be drum & bass? Vocals are heavily reverbed and ethereal, giving the album a dreamy quality.

By far, my favorite song on the album is "Bhangra Fever." Unlike the other songs on this album, this one JAMS! It's a rowdy, upfront beat tune that is carried by a powerful sitar melody but made rowdy by the repeated (sampled) rhythmic male group vocal, "Hey! Hey!"

A few songs forgo that "drum & bass" (?) beat and become more ambient, such as "Night," "Forest Dreams," and "Dark Age," all on the latter part of the album. Which brings me to another point: I have two similar albums--the aforementioned Asian Travels 2, and Black Bombay, and both of those fizzle out the last few songs. On this album, however, I like the second half of the album better than the first half.

Inventive, ethereal Indian club music...this is an enjoyable album that was among my top 15% favorites of 2003.

Brilliant!!!!.......2004-05-23

A genuis masterpiece for the most discerning of audiophiles. This is by far my FAVORITE CD of all ambient music I own. It is original, incredibly creative, sort of puts you into the feeling of being in another dimension. It's a true effort of genuis. I envy the virgin ear who hears this CD for the first time. It leaves me begging for their next CD .... I pray it will be soon!!!

Delhi Swings!.......2004-02-06

What a great experience! From the FSOL-like opening of Air to the Indian DnB sounds of Bhangra Fever to what I can only term the "Spiritual House" of Ajmer. A great mix of traditional sounds with current electronica arrangement.

Average customer rating:

Sick

Karsh Kale Redesign - Realize Remixed
Bill Laswell , Banco de Gaia , Mukul , Mother Earth , MIDIval PunditZ Higher Salvation , KK's Deepest Brooklyn , DJ Spooky Datalife 2002 , Bone Cruise , and DK Pyar Amo
Manufacturer: Six Degrees Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Six Degrees Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000CBXGM6

Product Description

Karsh Kale Redesign - Realize Remixed // 1. Saajana (Ming and FS Mix) 2. Destroy the Icon (Bone Cruise Mix) 3. One Step Beyond (DJ Spooky Datalife 2002 Mix) 4. Deepest Blue (KK's Deepest Brooklyn Mix) 5. Home (MIDIval PunditZ Higher Salvation Mix) 6. Distance (Banco de Gaia Remix) 7. Empty Hands (Bill Laswell Mix) 8. Light Up the Love (Mighty Junn Summer Of XAI Mix) 9. Home (Navdeep's Pressure Mix) 10. Empty Hands (DK Pyar Amor Mix) 11. Anja (Mother Earth Mix) 12. Home (Mukul Acid Lullaby)

Customer Reviews:

Sick.......2005-12-27

Sick, Sick Sick

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