Mondo India

Amazon.com
While a compilation, Mondo India is essentially a celebration of the work of A.R. Rahman--possibly the greatest of the modern filmi composers, and a man who can seamlessly marry Indian and Western melodies, instruments, and techniques in a way no one has managed before. While there's a track each from his mentor R.D. Burman and his disciple Vishal, it's Rahman's work that sparkles with melody upon melody and an almost infinite sense of invention in the songs. He is to the Bollywood scene what Ennio Morricone or Nino Rota have been to European cinema: people who transcend the idea of score and soundtrack to bring forth pieces like "Dheeme Dheeme" that can stand alone as pieces of music. He's not perfect--the ambient-oriented "Alyaiyo Kanavaa" never really goes anywhere, for example--but the vast majority of Rahman's work outstrips his contemporaries, both Eastern and Western. He's been called a genius; on the basis of this collection, that's not idle chatter. --Chris Nickson

Mondo India featuring A.R. Rahman,A.R. Rahman,R.D. Burman,Vishal,Ark 21,India,India / Pakistan,Indian,Indian Art Film Music,Indian Pop,Int'l & World Music,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating: Wonderful CD Avid listener Sparkling and exotic! Excellent music in a limited package

Mondo India featuring A.R. Rahman A.R. Rahman , R.D. Burman , and Vishal Manufacturer: Ark 21 ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Introducing A.R. Rahman (2 CD SET) Water (Soundtrack) Between Heaven and Earth The Best of Bollywood Bombay Dreams (2002 Original London Cast) ASIN: B00005O56E Release Date: 2001-09-18

Tracks:

1. Varaaga Nath
2. Sowkkiyamma
3. Aiyaiyo Kanavaa
4. Dheeme Dheeme
5. Pachaikiligal
6. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha - R.D. Burman
7. Chhodo More Baiyyan
8. Suno Re - Vishal
9. Narumugaiye
10. Evano Drovan
11. Gopika Poornima
12. Maargazhi (Sangamam)

Amazon.com

While a compilation, Mondo India is essentially a celebration of the work of A.R. Rahman--possibly the greatest of the modern filmi composers, and a man who can seamlessly marry Indian and Western melodies, instruments, and techniques in a way no one has managed before. While there's a track each from his mentor R.D. Burman and his disciple Vishal, it's Rahman's work that sparkles with melody upon melody and an almost infinite sense of invention in the songs. He is to the Bollywood scene what Ennio Morricone or Nino Rota have been to European cinema: people who transcend the idea of score and soundtrack to bring forth pieces like "Dheeme Dheeme" that can stand alone as pieces of music. He's not perfect--the ambient-oriented "Alyaiyo Kanavaa" never really goes anywhere, for example--but the vast majority of Rahman's work outstrips his contemporaries, both Eastern and Western. He's been called a genius; on the basis of this collection, that's not idle chatter. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful CD.......2006-02-08

I had never listened to Indian music when I got this CD. I've found this CD really thrilling and beautiful. Almost all of the selections are compositions by A.R. Rahman, India's foremost composer. According to the excellent (and literary) liner notes by Gerald Seligman, these are all songs from Bollywood films. Seligman even states that Indian music IS film music. The sumptuous orchestrations, haunting melodies and infectious rhythms make for a wonderful listening experience. I've enjoyed this music three ways: 1) while driving on the highway 2) listening to it intensely at home in private and 3) using it as background music while performing mundane tasks around the house. It's good all three ways. I've enjoyed this CD for a couple of years and have given it as a present to several friends. This is music I want to share. Thanks to the Mondo series for making this very accessible Eastern music available to Westerners.

Avid listener.......2004-10-22

Varaaga Nathi is probably the best song on this CD and my all time favorite.

Sparkling and exotic!.......2003-05-26

Unlike some of the other "Mondo" albums, this collection may not be representative of the breadth and depth of Indian music, but it makes for great listening all the same. "Mondo Asian" features primarily the polished, intricately textured compositions of R.A. Rahman, billed as "India's greatest contemporary film composer". The CD cover continues: "By incorporating western production styles and sensibilities to Indian traditions, Rahman has created a music that is universal even as it is distinctly Indian." Traditional Indian instruments and vocal techniques merge with western harmonies and structures to create compositions that are as fascinating as they are fun. Especially striking are the hypnotic track #11, "Gropika Poornima", and track #8, the mysterious and sinuous "Suno Re", which was written by Rahman's student, Vishal.

Excellent music in a limited package.......2001-11-09

This CD is essentially an A R Rahman compiliation with two extra selections, one by R. D. Burman and one by newcomer, Vishal. Even at his young age, Rahman's production staggers the imagination of those used to western artists, having sold over 100 million cassettes and CD's of his filmi soundtracks in Tamil and Hindi. The question might be why these 10 tracks and not others and there is really no answer to this other than the personal taste of the collector and fan. Nothing wrong with that and Rahman's tracks here are of high standard. As an introduction, Mondo India is as good as any although one might do better to just buy a soundtrack like Jeans, Thenali, Dil Se or Zubeidaa and have a better first taste.

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