Tala Matrix

Amazon.com
Call it an aggregation of some of the best contemporary percussionists: Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain, and Asian Underground star Talvin Singh combine under the sonic washes of producer Bill Laswell to show the possibilities of Indian percussion. It's definitely a beatfest, but one of subtlety, where what is being said isn't as important as the way it's being stated, and the dialogue between hands includes a lot of silences. Gurtu comes from a more jazz tradition, Hussein a classical background, and Singh represents the brash young things of the dance floor. Mostly Laswell leaves it to them to provide the sonic entertainment, which is as it should be with delicate swathes of sound barely intruding, just coloring the proceedings. While it's not for everyone, those who love Indian percussion in all its forms will find this album a complete joy. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

Secret Channel
Magnetic
Audiomaze
Don't Worry
Palmistry
Devotional
Big Brother
Triangular Objects
Biotech
Alla

Amazon.com

Call it an aggregation of some of the best contemporary percussionists: Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain, and Asian Underground star Talvin Singh combine under the sonic washes of producer Bill Laswell to show the possibilities of Indian percussion. It's definitely a beatfest, but one of subtlety, where what is being said isn't as important as the way it's being stated, and the dialogue between hands includes a lot of silences. Gurtu comes from a more jazz tradition, Hussein a classical background, and Singh represents the brash young things of the dance floor. Mostly Laswell leaves it to them to provide the sonic entertainment, which is as it should be with delicate swathes of sound barely intruding, just coloring the proceedings. While it's not for everyone, those who love Indian percussion in all its forms will find this album a complete joy. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Buy this now..........2006-10-24

It's interesting how the negative reviewer below can speak of "delving" into so many styles of music, yet evidently came into this album with a pre-conceived notion of what it should be. This album makes no claim or attempt to be "classical" Indian music, except for maybe the last track. This album IS a fresh collaboration among some of the world's most talented performers (Indian and otherwise) that had my jaw firmly planted on the ground from the moment I hit "play". Hearing traditional Indian instrumentation combined with western production proved to me that nirvana or a great album of any style can only be obtained with an open mind. Absolutely amazing. 10 stars...

Still one of my favorites..........2006-05-07

I'd been a fan of Bill Laswell and Talvin Singh before, but this album introduced me to Tabla and the skill of Zakir Hussain. Years later, I own more classical tabla albums from Hussain and others, but I still come back to this one. I love it so much I started playing tabla this year.

Favorite tracks: "Palmistry" and "Alla."

?!.......2004-09-29

I really don't want to be mean, but I find this album very shallow. Classical Indian music is a very complex, subtle and beautiful thing. Comibining it in this way may help to get these wonderful tabla players to a wider audience, but the true energy has been tainted and lowered to make it palatable to simple-minded people who need westernized electronic and wishy-washy "world music" cliches. I don't find this music to be uplifting or enlightening or interesting. And this is not coming from a strict old fundamentalist of anything, I have delved deep into the avante guard, minimalism, "new music", eastern and western music theory, microtonal, etc. I would recomend jsut being a non-westernized album and getting the full benefit of tabla playing. However if your mainstay is jungle/drum&bass, then this would be a step up for you, so go for it, it is worth the pruchase in that case.

oh,that Billy-boy!.......2004-07-15

mr laswell has done many things,but this was quite a suprise!it consists of both chilled and upbeat tala(a middle eastern hand drum)drumming mixed with laz's trademark electronica that gradually fades in and out of the songs.it's a real trip-an-a-half for anyone not ignorant enough to dismiss it as "boring".

out of control.......2003-09-30

listing to this right now, so good i just had to right a review on it. This cd is freaking insane. Best way to lose you mind

Average customer rating:

Tala Matrix Tabla Beat Science
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Virgin Records India Pvt Ltd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NJXDLG
Release Date: 2006-04-15

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

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