The term "World Music" is often criticized as devoid of meaning and frankly insulting to musical cultures that have existed long before pop & rock and are as diverse and dissimilar to each other as possible. Be that as it may, this album is the very definition of world music. Though mostly based on traditional Indian music, it does not belong to that genre. Age-old Hindustani hymns rub shoulders with new compositions and pop covers. The singer is born in London by Tamil Indian parents and grown up in Australia while the material of this album (her first) took shape in London with the help of musicians from 10 different countries. Raman is especially adept at reinterpreting traditional material in order to make it accessible to a wider audience. A testament to her success is that an experiment in world fusion like this was considered a serious contender for the prestigious Mercury Prize (which she eventually lost to P.J.Harvey). She really shines in the traditional material but also performs well in the two covers, Tim Buckley's Song to the Siren and Trust in Me from the movie Jungle Book. The latter is given a sensual twist, unexpectedly for a song from a kids movie. Siouxsie Sioux was the first to try that approach, but Susheela's version is almost as good. Maya and Salt Rain are the best of her own compositions. I was especially intrigued by Maya, where Greek rural-style clarinet by Manos Achalinotopoulos is seamlessly incorporated in the body of a Hindustani song with English lyrics to create an effortlessly and genuinely global result.
**** for Ganapati and Maya
*** for Mamavatu, Trust in Me, Bolo Bolo, Salt Rain, Nagumomo, O Rama,S ong to the Siren
** for Woman, Mahima, Kamakshi
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