Rakkatak – Char Taal and a Raga Rainbow (Rakkatak, 2021)
The album “Char Taal and a Raga Rainbow” presents the marvelous work of Canadian world fusion band Rakkatak. The Toronto-based ensemble includes musicians from various backgrounds and ethnicities, who play a captivating mix of Indian rhythms, melodies and instruments combined with Peruvian cajón, drum set and electric bass.
In addition to Indian music, Rakkatak also deliver charming versions of Violeta Parra‘s timeless South American song Gracias a la Vida by and Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited”.
Rakkatak includes Anita Katakkar on tabla; Oriana Barbato on electric bass, acoustic guitar, shakers; Pratik Rao on vocals; and Zaynab Wilson on cajón, vocals, drum kit.
Guests: Rex Van der Spuy on sitar; Hasheel on bansuri (flute); Jessica Hana Deutsch on violin; Valentina Harper on vocals; and Ernesto Espinoza on violin.
Buy the album from rakkatak.bandcamp.com/album/char-taal-and-a-raga-rainbow
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.