Kala

1. Raga Jogkauns: Vilambit Ektaal

2. Raga Jogkauns: Madhyalay (Medium Tempo) Ada Chautaal

3. Raga Jogkauns: Tarana in Drut (Fast) Ektaal

4. Raga Bhatiyar: Madhyalay Teentaal

5. Raga Bhatiyar: Drut Ektaal

Kala,Kala Ramnath,Sense World Music,Indian,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Raga

Average customer rating:

Kala Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Icky Thump Under the Blacklight Challengers The Reminder Arular ASIN: B000TJ6CM2 Release Date: 2007-08-21

Album Description

THIS CD FEATURES A FREE RINGTONE AND MOBILE PHONE WALLPAPER (see insert for details)

M.I.A. is hailed as one of the most freshly creative artists to hit the scene, paving the way for fierce and adventurous females to break the mold. With KALA, she pulls even more globe-trekking, and genre bending into her musical mix.

Recorded in India, Trinidad, Australia, London, New York and Baltimore, M.I.A. has crafted an international sound that is as excitingly undefineable as it is infectious.

The first single from KALA, "Boyz" was just listed at #1 Rolling Stone's Hot List, and #1 song of the Month in Blender magazine!

"Electrifying" - The New York Times

Album Description

M.I.A. is UK singer/rapper Maya Arulpragasam. Her 2005 debut album Arular unleashed her devastating dislocated beats, pounding basslines and chant-along vocals. M.I.A.'s unparalleled mongrel mix of hip-hop, ragga, dancehall, electro and punk saw Arular garner praise from far and wide, including being short listed for the Mercury Music Prize. In the USA M.I.A. signed with Interscope and hit the road opening for Gwen Stefani. M.I.A. is now set to release her second studio album, Kala. Amazing talent join forces with her on the new album, including Diplo, Timbaland, DJ Blaqstarr, Three 6 Mafia and producer, Switch.

Average customer rating: Warning: this CD is addictive Clever, but.... Bhosle, Pavrotti, Sinatra Cheap music I Think They Should Have Selected a More Contemporary Singer

You've Stolen My Heart: Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood Kronos Quartet , and Asha Bhosle Manufacturer: Nonesuch Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mugam Sayagi: Music of Franghiz Ali-Zadeh Best of Asha Bhosle: The Golden Voice of Bollywood Rise Dimanche a Bamako Kiran Ahluwalia ASIN: B0009X1PAM Release Date: 2005-08-23

Tracks:

1. Dum Maro Dum - Take Another Toke
2. Rishte Bante Hain - Relationships Grow Slowly
3. Mehbooba Mehbooba - Beloved, O Beloved
4. Ekta Deshlai Kathi Jwalao - Light a Match
5. Nodir Pare Utthchhe Dhnoa - Smoke Rises across the River
6. Koi Aaya Aane Bhi De - If People Come
7. Mera Kuchh Saaman - Some of My Things
8. Saajan Kahan Jaoongi Main - Beloved, Where Would I Go?
9. Piya Tu Ab To Aaja - Lover, Come to Me Now
10. Dhanno Ki Aankhon - In Dhanno's Eyes
11. Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne - You've Stolen My Heart
12. Saiyan Re Saiyan - My Lover Came Silently

Amazon.com

The Kronos Quartet have been luminaries of modern Western classical music for more than thirty years. So despite their previous forays into world music, a headlong dive into the alternative universe of Bollywood (Bombay-plus-Hollywood) soundtracks may seem somewhat incongruous. But Kronos leader David Harrington is a longtime fan of composer R.D. Burman¹s florid pop extravaganzas, which propelled an already saturated palette into day-glo and beyond. To get the project off the ground, he had to convince one of India¹s prolific and versatile "playback" singers to come on board. The legendary Asha Bhosle is a renowned Burman interpreter so securing her services was a major coup. To replicate the reverb-laden "wall of sound" typical of Burman arrangements, Kronos and Ashaji, accompanied by Indian percussionist Zakir Hussain and Chinese pipa virtuoso Wu Man, overdubbed themselves into a teeming multitude. However, there is nothing soulless or "canned" about the results; indeed, composer and singer emerge refreshed and more vivid than ever before, shaking their stuff amid swirling Technicolor veils of tongue-in-cheek mystery and sensuality. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Sumptuous and surreal, the Kronos Quartet and Asha Bhosle's You've Stolen My Heart is not unlike the colorful, melodramatic Indian film musicals to which it pays tribute. Eight of its twelve tracks feature superstar Bollywood film playback singer Asha Bhosle, widely considered the world's most recorded vocalist. The songs were chosen from the repertoire of her husband, the late composer R.D. Burman, who revolutionized the sound of the movies produced at Mumbai's (formerly Bombay) fabled studios, a.k.a. Bollywood.

Customer Reviews:

Warning: this CD is addictive.......2007-01-12

Now in her early 60s, Asha Bhosle's voice has matured since the heyday of her Bollywood career in the 60s-70s and in these reworkings of some of her greatest hits (written by her late husband R.K.Burman) it's positively honey-like. The collaboration with Kronos Quartet is inspired: substitute electronically enhanced violins for Duane Eddy guitars and you have an inkling of the ideas flying around the disc. The liner notes are informative and there's plenty of information for the Bollywood novice. However, whether you understand Hindi or not, this is a collection of songs - humorous, romantic, tacky, and at times so hilariously naff in the way of Indian homages to western pop it's actually cool! I would be amazed if you don't want to keep going back to it, once heard.

Clever, but...........2006-04-07

Chronos has always emphasized being clever over being musical- although they are splendid musicians- and this album is perhaps the ultimate exegesis of that. The actual music is perhaps exotic, to western ears, but it is also uninteresting. Indian film music combines the sound of the East with the banality of pop, and the result isn't anything that bears more than one listening; personally, I was continually reminded of the incidental Indian-themed music that kept popping up in the Beatles' movie "Help", although that soundtrack was a bit more clever. Another volume for the library of the die-hard Chronos fan, perhaps, but not necessarily anyone alse.

Bhosle, Pavrotti, Sinatra.......2006-02-12

Some vocalists are one-of-a-kind, brilliant and beautiful, setting the standard for their particular music. Asha Bhosle is one of them. I heard her with the Kronos in performance in San Francisco, and they took my breath away. This album isn't quite the same as being there but it's very, very close. Asha, Kronos - please do it again!

Cheap music.......2006-01-02

I dont know how the kronos quartet to come down so low. The music is cheap. I couldn't hear any of the tracks completely. They were so insipid.Complete waste of money. I have heard much better from Asha.

I Think They Should Have Selected a More Contemporary Singer.......2005-11-05

I love Asha Bhosle and one only has to listen to her Live at the Albert Hall album. Problem is, she has aged, and her voice shows it. Regrettably, her vocals on this album constantly remind me of this and I can't listen to the album with pleasure. I would say the same of such wonderful singers as June Carter and Amalia Mendoza. This was a wonderful opportunity to introduce much of the world to the zaniness of Bollywood movie music, with its fabulous arrangements and wacky use of all imaginable instruments from all over the world. Instead it makes me sad to hear Asha not at her peak.

Average customer rating: Bringing it in Neutral Unbelievably Beautiful! Hypnotic and uplifting Hypnotic and uplifting "time form"

Kala Rupa Greg Ellis Manufacturer: Narada ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Feast of Silence In the Garden of Souls Sunyata Offerings Portals of Grace ASIN: B00005Q3CY Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

1. Form 1
2. Form 2
3. Form 3
4. Form 4
5. Form 5
6. Form 6
7. Form 7
8. Form 8
9. Form 9
10. Form 10

Amazon.com

Percussionist Greg Ellis is already known for his vibrant drumming in the "alternative world" group Vas. He has also performed with Mickey Hart and Billy Idol. On this solo effort, Ellis generates beguiling drum tapestries filled with potent grooves and melodic playing. (Yes, drums can be melodic.) Each of the 10 percussive "forms" on this album is augmented by one or two other instruments--cello, jaw harp, kamancheh, hammered dulcimer, or bansuri--and the results range from dark and dreamy ("Form 5") to uptempo and animated ("Form 8"). Ellis's bandmate from Vas, vocalist Azam Ali, lends her captivating voice to two tracks. Kala Rupa is a strong testament to the powerful magic of drumming. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

Bringing it in Neutral.......2005-12-14

When you open the cd insert Greg Ellis explains why he called the cd Kala Rupa and why all of the songs are called "Forms" instead of using traditional song titles. Kala Rupa literally means Time Form.

He wants the listener to begin each track on neutral grounds, forming your own opinion and perception of the song and of the beautiful sounds of the instruments.

I've listened to this cd over and over and each song is amazing. All based on hand drums, he and other talented musicians get together and create a magical experience. Each song is extremely unique, all different rhythms, from all over the world.

I've listened to tracks on all sorts of "world music" cd's. I've sifted through artist after artist on Amazon... and I must say, Greg Ellis's Kala Rupa is a must have to any music collection.
Very easy to trance out to, to belly dance to, to make love to, to drive to, to party to, to mix with.
So buy it already!!

Unbelievably Beautiful!.......2004-07-12

Each form is unique, loaded with sounds and ideas from a variety of cultures and times. Definetely a must for fans of drumming; fans of Hossam Ramzy for sure. Having Azam on as guest for two of the tracks was an exquisite bonus. Excellent work.

Hypnotic and uplifting.......2004-03-19

A side-project from Greg Ellis' work in superlative music duo Vas (as _Portals of Grace_ was for Ellis' musical partner Azam Ali), _Kala Rupa_ is an astonishingly vibrant album. The tracks, labelled simply as 'Forms', are predominantly explorations in rhythm, without vocals - although Azam Ali does sing on a couple of tracks. This is a percussionist's album, and full of infectious energy. [For anyone familiar with the rest of Vas' output, think track 5 on _In the Garden of Souls_]

There is a great variety in pace and instrumentation among the forms, offering something to suit every mood and ensuring that listening is never a dull experience. A large number of collaborators bring their talents to this album, and the result is a deeply 'organic' recording - one arising naturally from blending and experimentation with the instruments. Exhilarating.

Hypnotic and uplifting.......2004-01-23

A side-project from Greg Ellis' work in superlative music duo Vas (as _Portals of Grace_ was for Ellis' musical partner Azam Ali), _Kala Rupa_ is an astonishingly vibrant album. The tracks, labelled simply as 'Forms', are predominantly explorations in rhythm, without vocals - although Azam Ali does sing on a couple of tracks. This is a percussionist's album, and full of infectious energy. [For anyone familiar with the rest of Vas' output, think track 5 on _In the Garden of Souls_]

There is a great variety in pace and instrumentation among the forms, offering something to suit every mood and ensuring that listening is never a dull experience. A large number of collaborators bring their talents to this album, and the result is a deeply 'organic' recording - one arising naturally from blending and experimentation with the instruments. Exhilarating.

"time form".......2003-03-05

is what "kala rupa" means. The music on this cd is so thick, so brilliantly textured. It's primarily drumming, but not only drumming. The first song is full-on driving drumming. The cd also has prominent influence & inspiration from the music of India & other places, & has some very ethereal, spacey moments. On the whole, it often makes me feel like I'm exploring a swamp. Exploring something anyway.

Average customer rating: DIFFERENT STORIES 39 and not holding very well

Three Degrees - Greatest Hits The Three Degrees Manufacturer: Kala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Philly Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music R&B | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ecstasy Passion & Pain The Best of the Three Degrees The Best of the Three Degrees: When Will I See You Again The Best of Love Unlimited His All Time Golden Classics ASIN: B00005RVT0 Release Date: 2001-11-28

Tracks:

1. When Will I See You Again
2. Year of Decision
3. Get Your Love Back
4. There's So Much Love All Around Me
5. Tradewinds
6. Midnight Train
7. I Won't Let You Go
8. Through Misty Eyes
9. Find My Way
10. Sugar on Sunday
11. Who Is She (And What Is She to You)
12. Requiem
13. MacArthur Park

Tracks:

1. Woman in Love
2. Runner
3. Dirty Ol' Man
4. Maybe
5. You're the One
6. Jump the Gun
7. Collage
8. You're the Fool
9. Grass (Will Sing for You)
10. Melting Pot
11. Stardust
12. Lowdown
13. I Turn to You

Tracks:

1. T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)
2. Take Good Care of Yourself
3. Long Lost Lover
4. Giving Up Giving In
5. My Simple Heart
6. I Do Take You
7. Ebb Tide
8. Nigai Namida
9. I'm Doin' Fine Now
10. I'm Going to Miss You
11. I'll Be Around
12. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
13. Let's Get It On

Customer Reviews:

DIFFERENT STORIES.......2003-05-17

3 cd's, different stories because here are songs from combinations of the ladies fayette, sheila, valerie, helen & cynthia. if you want a variety of sounds; buy this great collection. what do we have here: earlier roulette greats (original recordings !) and ofcourse philly classics, new recordings with a studio band. my favorite song here is the classic 'do right woman, do right man'. once sung by aretha franklin but you really have to listen to this version with leadvocals from valerie holiday, powerfull and beautiful. only the 3° can do that ! after listening to all these gems, you know why these ladies will always have a place in music history !

39 and not holding very well.......2002-06-27

Sad. That's how AbFab's Saffy would describe this album. While the songs are the same as the original hits by the famous trio, these are not the original recordings. I recently learned that this group came into existence the year after I was born. Unfortunately, I'm holding up better than their voices. Someone with a Portugese production company has put these tired girls back in the studio to re-record the songs. And the instrumental parts aren't much better than these voices singing songs in keys significantly lower, somewhat flatter, and with much less breath control than the originals. It is depressing to say the least. Even Giorgio Moroder's arrangements have been massacred. Save your money and buy the original recordings even if you have to buy several albums to get them all...and by the way, some of what is on this, you wouldn't have known was theirs anyway. Let's let these divas retire with some dignity. The years of touring and whatever else goes with show biz is coming through not so loud and not so clear in their voices.

Average customer rating:

Live The Stylistics Manufacturer: Kala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Philly Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Soul | Live Albums | R&B | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Soul General | Soul | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Soul General | Soul | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music R&B | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000OCY7EE Release Date: 2007-03-27

Tracks:

1. Heavy Fallin' Out
2. You're a Big Girl Now
3. I'm Stone in Love with You
4. Betcha by Golly Wow
5. Country Living
6. Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart
7. Children of the Night
8. It's Too Late
9. You Are Everything
10. You'll Never Get to Heaven If You Break My Heart
11. Payback Is a Dog
12. Rockin' Roll Baby
13. Break Up to Make Up
14. People Make the World Go Round
15. Hurry Up This Way Again
16. First Impressions
17. You Make Me Feel Brand New

Average customer rating: stunning.....

Samwad Purbayan Chatterjee , and Kala Ramnath Manufacturer: Sense World Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kala Drive East The Master (Ram Narayan) Sarangi ASIN: B0001XQFO6 Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

1. Raga Kedar: Alap
2. Raga Kedar: Composition in Vilambit Jhaptaal
3. Raga Kedar: Composition in Medium Teentaal
4. Raga Bageshri: Tarana

Customer Reviews:

stunning............2007-01-19

Samwad is probably one of the best Indian classical CDs I've heard in a long while - I cannot claim to be any expert - but I have listened to Indian classical music for many years, and am a fan of the Ravi Shankar and Alla Rakha pairing. Over the years I have also taken in the Asian Massive movement - like Tabla Beat Science (Bill Laswell and Zakir Hussain - who is the son of Alla Rakha).

The music on Samwad is played by two young leading lights - Kala Ramnath (violin) and Purbayan Chatterjee (sitar) in a rare Jugalbandi (instrumental duet) - the interplay is simply stunning.

I am particularly taken with Kala Ramnath's playing and tone - it is exquisite - unlike any violin playing I've heard - and that includes the true greats in Western classical music. Her tonality has to be heard to be believed - it has a very "vocal" quality - listen to the opening slow Alap.

I know this is classical music of India - but I listen to it in a very different way to the almost "reverence" of Western classical - there is an element of unbridled enthusiasm, exhilarating - approaching the ecstatic.
But this is what good music is about - it should move you....

Listen to the interchange starting at about 5:30 on track 3 - especially Kala's violin phrase at 6:42 - to see what I mean.

The tabla playing by Subhankar Banerjee is nothing short of breathtaking as well - I say this being a fan of the fabulous Alla Rakha - Ravi Shankar's principle tabla player for decades.

This is a CD that is well worth listening to - I find myself almost obsessive about it inspite of owning it for over a year - and this is rare and outstanding for me considering I have so much good Indian classical music in my collection.

It appears this CD is not currently available from Amazon USA or its associate vendors - a pity - since as far as I know the CD is still current according to the Sense World Music label website. It is however available via Amazon MarketPlace (and over at Amazon.co.UK) - and it's worth chasing this CD down.

If you are already familiar with this CD - Kala Ramnath's CD titled "Kala" is also well worth considering - this also pairs her with Subhankar Banerjee on tabla.

Average customer rating: Falls just short of Virginal Coordinates and Orchestra Dim Bridges . . . Solid effort from a very interesting musician

The Story of Iceland Manufacturer: Tzadik ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Electronic | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music | Computer General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Theater of Mineral NADEs Orchestra Dim Bridges Virginal Co Ordinates Athlantis One Hundred Aspects of the Moon ASIN: B00004T92S Release Date: 2000-06-27

Tracks:

1. The Story of Iceland: Cricle of Fair Karma
2. The Story of Iceland: Circle of Fair Karma
3. The Story of Iceland: Sweetness Of Candy
4. The Story of Iceland: Hour of Fair Karma
5. The Story of Iceland: Hour of Fair Karma
6. The Beloved One
7. Ayanamsha

Customer Reviews:

Falls just short of Virginal Coordinates and Orchestra Dim Bridges . . ........2006-05-14

. . . but awfully good just the same.

Eyvind Kang has a unique musical conception. When he's on, as he usually is, he can evoke never-before-heard sensibilities and soundscapes--heck, even when he's off, he still conjures musical bedlam entirely worth hearing.

He's generally on here. The only possible exception is "10:10 (The Beloved One)." Its aesthetic is weird enough, all right. For me it's just a question as to whether extremely stylized vocals (making Mike Patton, for example, sound like Mel Torme) mapped onto some bizarro psychedelic-rock/cabaret vibe really works. In the end, I guess I don't care: The whacky weirdness carries the day, although one must admit that the "music" purveyed on this cut stretches the term almost beyond recognition.

What he's doing on this disc, I think, is laying the groundwork for his masterpiece, Virginal Coordinates. "Circle of Fair Karma," with its plodding, dirgelike tempo, the brilliant trumpet of Lesli Dalaba, herself a New Music composer and performer of note, its elegiacism, its weight of glory, its floating strings over chthonic tuba, its Uillean pipes and Scottish fife-and-drum drumming, evokes that same eerie timebound timelessness of much of Virginal Coordinates.

"Sweetness of Candy" has that same sweet/sick vibe that much of his earlier astounding disc, The Sweetness of Sickness, has. I am especially taken by the faux-naive violin solo of Karla Ramnath. Strangely resonating with Indian double violin playing, her approach lends the piece a mesmerizing exotic sheen.

What to make of "The Hour of Fair Karma"? To me it sounds like Peter Garland meets the Claudia Quintet--that is to say, probably the most fantastic musical amalgamation I could imagine. Reeking of old mystery, nay, some kind of wholesome spiritual alchemy--what Secret Chiefs Three would be if they hadn't sold out to dark Kabala--encountered through the musical diaphragm of fake-folk sensibilities, these are sounds, far-fetched, to sooth the alienated Western psyche.

To me, Evying Kang ranks up there with my absolute favorite musical artists: Peter Garland, John Hollenbeck, Tucker Martine, Sylvie Courvoisier, Susie Ibarra, John Wolf Brennan, Peter Epstein, and Omar Sosa. Anything he does is worth hearing, and this is probably his third-best outing. Highly recommended.

Solid effort from a very interesting musician.......2000-06-29

Eyvind Kang has perfected the art of recording music that is utterly beautiful and yet completely sick and twisted at the same time. "The Story Of Iceland" is his third release on John Zorn's Tzadik label. "7 NADEs" was noisy and experimental, "Theatre Of Mineral NADEs" was simple and tuneful. "The Story Of Iceland" falls somewhere in between, being very listenable, and yet having it's themes stretched and developed to their full potential. There are no insane noisefests like on "7 NADEs", however. Kang's work is very unique, but some reference points I can offer: Sonic Youth, Phillip Glass, Michael Nyman and Secret Chiefs 3 (with whom he plays).

Average customer rating:

Maybellene Elvis Presley Manufacturer: Kala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Elvis #1 Singles Heartbreak Hotel NBC-TV Special Elvis Rock Elvis Country ASIN: B000E8N92O Release Date: 2006-01-31

Tracks:

1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. Maybellene
3. Money Honey
4. Blue Suede Shoes
5. Tweedle Dee
6. There's Good Rockin' Tonight
7. Long Tall Sally
8. I Was the One
9. Baby Let's Play House
10. That's All Right
11. Blue Moon of Kentucky
12. I Got a Woman
13. Hound Dog

Average customer rating: the exceptional beauty of Kala Ramnath's 'singing violin'

Touching Air Manufacturer: Sterns Music USA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kala Nectar Ekta: Unity Pure ASIN: B00007BH00 Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

1. Alap (Violin Solo)
2. Vilambit Ektaal Composition (Part I)
3. Vilambit Ektaal (Part II)
4. Jhaptaal Composition (Part I)
5. Jhaptaal Composition (Part II)
6. Fast Tintaal Composition

Customer Reviews:

the exceptional beauty of Kala Ramnath's 'singing violin' .......2005-05-15

If I were to survive on a deserted island with only a few pieces of music to listen to, I would certainly like the company and unique beauty of the timeless music of violinist Kala Ramnath on two of her latest albums, 'Touching Air' and 'Kala'. Both albums were released by Sense World, a young label that focuses exclusively on classical raga-music. I've enjoyed a lot of their releases already and in my opinion Sense World excells in recording musical sound and in the choice and combination of artists.
In the world of North Indian raga-music Kala Ramnath has become famous for her unique 'singing violin'-style. Her musical abilities were nurtured in a family of celebrated violinists in both the North and South Indian musical forms. Kala took the road of North India, playing the hindusthani vocal style of Khyal, a genre that allows performers to display the depth of their musical knowledge and skills. Kala Ramnath was educated from a very early age by her grandfather Vidwan Narayan Iyer and later on by her aunt N. Rajam, another famous violinist who became legendary for developing a new vocal style for violin called 'gaayaki'. After absorbing this style Kala Ramnath continued her musical journey for many years under the guidance of another famous musician, singer Pandit Jasraj. His approach left a decisive mark on her playing, which elegantly combines an excellent technique with a deep emotional quality.
The renowned world music magazine 'Songlines' welcomed the album-release of 'Kala' with a raving review last year and later on it was voted there as one of the 'best world music albums of 2004'. I couldn't agree more! Kala Ramnath displays the very same top-performance level on her album 'Touching Air', a live-performance at the Saptak Music Festival 2001. On 'Touching Air' she plays the rarely heard midnight raga Nat Narayan, a creation of her guru Pandit Jasraj. On 'Kala' she plays the raags 'Jogkauns' and 'Bhatiyar'. Both albums showcase Kala Ramnath with outstanding improvisations, full of character, playfulness and exuberance. These performances are for me -an experienced listener of this kind of music- very relaxing and at the same time full of excitement. Her playing blossoms all the way, also thanks to really excellent artistic contributions by tabla players Vijay Ghate (on 'Touching Air') and Subhankar Banerjee (on 'Kala') who are able to grasp and respond to all her musical intentions.
Kala Ramnath gently unfolds the raags on 'Touching Air' and on 'Kala' within a slow framework of twelve beats (ektaal) and expresses her 'vocal' approach in a lyrical and introspective way. When the tempo gets faster she displays all her technical virtuosity as well, without ever forgetting to transfer emotional content in her musical phrases. The enormous and endless variety she's capable to display in her phrasing, based on several melodic formulas/compositions in these raags, is breathtaking and overwhelming. It's this fully developed and well balanced broad range of her musical abilities that makes Kala Ramnath such an interesting and very pleasant performer and these wonderful performances such a captivating and satisfying experience.
Listening to 'Touching Air' and 'Kala' really leaves me no further doubt: Kala Ramnath is one of the most gifted violin players on earth today.

Average customer rating: breathtaking..... the exceptional beauty of Kala Ramnath's 'singing violin'

Kala Kala Ramnath Manufacturer: Sense World Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Touching Air Samwad Pure Nectar Out of Stillness ASIN: B0001XQFNW Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

1. Raga Jogkauns: Vilambit Ektaal
2. Raga Jogkauns: Madhyalay (Medium Tempo) Ada Chautaal
3. Raga Jogkauns: Tarana in Drut (Fast) Ektaal
4. Raga Bhatiyar: Madhyalay Teentaal
5. Raga Bhatiyar: Drut Ektaal

Customer Reviews:

breathtaking............2007-01-19

I first came across Kala Ramnath's violin playing on a track from "Samwad" - the Jugalbandi (duet) with sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee.

Even with many years of listening to Indian classical music - to me her playing was simply stunning - her tone had a vocal quality and was unbelievable (and that is even comparing to the greats in Western classical music).

I would fully agree with the previous reviewer Pieter de Rooij about Kala's playing.

Listen starting about 3 minutes into track 2 for playing that just takes the breath away.

The tabla player is Subhankar Banerjee (who is also on Samwad) responds really well to Kala - listen to the way he incites and responds to her on track 3

Not only do I highly recommend "Kala" - I would also strongly suggest considering the aformentioned "Samwad" (see my review of "Samwad").

the exceptional beauty of Kala Ramnath's 'singing violin' .......2005-05-15

If I were to survive on a deserted island with only a few pieces of music to listen to, I would certainly like the company and unique beauty of the timeless music of violinist Kala Ramnath on two of her latest albums, 'Touching Air' and 'Kala'. Both albums were released by Sense World, a young label that focuses exclusively on classical raga-music. I've enjoyed a lot of their releases already and in my opinion Sense World excells in recording musical sound and in the choice and combination of artists.
In the world of North Indian raga-music Kala Ramnath has become famous for her unique 'singing violin'-style. Her musical abilities were nurtured in a family of celebrated violinists in both the North and South Indian musical forms. Kala took the road of North India, playing the hindusthani vocal style of Khyal, a genre that allows performers to display the depth of their musical knowledge and skills. Kala Ramnath was educated from a very early age by her grandfather Vidwan Narayan Iyer and later on by her aunt N. Rajam, another famous violinist who became legendary for developing a new vocal style for violin called 'gaayaki'. After absorbing this style Kala Ramnath continued her musical journey for many years under the guidance of another famous musician, singer Pandit Jasraj. His approach left a decisive mark on her playing, which elegantly combines an excellent technique with a deep emotional quality.
The renowned world music magazine 'Songlines' welcomed the album-release of 'Kala' with a raving review last year and later on it was voted there as one of the 'best world music albums of 2004'. I couldn't agree more! Kala Ramnath displays the very same top-performance level on her album 'Touching Air', a live-performance at the Saptak Music Festival 2001. On 'Touching Air' she plays the rarely heard midnight raga Nat Narayan, a creation of her guru Pandit Jasraj. On 'Kala' she plays the raags 'Jogkauns' and 'Bhatiyar'. Both albums showcase Kala Ramnath with outstanding improvisations, full of character, playfulness and exuberance. These performances are for me -an experienced listener of this kind of music- very relaxing and at the same time full of excitement. Her playing blossoms all the way, also thanks to really excellent artistic contributions by tabla players Vijay Ghate (on 'Touching Air') and Subhankar Banerjee (on 'Kala') who are able to grasp and respond to all her musical intentions.
Kala Ramnath gently unfolds the raags on 'Touching Air' and on 'Kala' within a slow framework of twelve beats (ektaal) and expresses her 'vocal' approach in a lyrical and introspective way. When the tempo gets faster she displays all her technical virtuosity as well, without ever forgetting to transfer emotional content in her musical phrases. The enormous and endless variety she's capable to display in her phrasing, based on several melodic formulas/compositions in these raags, is breathtaking and overwhelming. It's this fully developed and well balanced broad range of her musical abilities that makes Kala Ramnath such an interesting and very pleasant performer and these wonderful performances such a captivating and satisfying experience.
Listening to 'Touching Air' and 'Kala' really leaves me no further doubt: Kala Ramnath is one of the most gifted violin players on earth today.

World Music:

1. Khaley Etoile
2. Kinda Soul [Import]
3. L'heure D'ete [Import]
4. La Guaracheta de Cuba Yo Quiero Bailar
5. Legends of East Africa: The Original Recordings
6. Les plus grandes chansons
7. Life
8. Lone Star Liberia
9. Love & Passion
10. Maxximum [Limited Edition] [Import]

World Music

world music

World Music

Thank You for the Music [CD-single] [Import]

Best-Loved Classics 10

Blue John [Import]

Making Spirits Bright: A Smooth Jazz Christmas

Creature From The Black Lagoon: A Symphony Of Film Music By Hans J. Salter (Film Score Anthology) [Soundtrack]

Baloutchistan

Blue Wind [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Buzzle Bee [Import]

Aloha Hawaii

Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"; Overtures

Charlie Parker With Strings [Import]

Chubby's Back [Import]

B-Side Companion

A Portrait of the Blues

Underneath