Jasdeep Singh Degun – Anomaly (Real World Records, 2022)
British sitar player and composer Jasdeep Singh Degun is a rising talent in world music. Although he grew up immersed in North Indian classical music traditions, he has expanded his musical beyond Indian ragas (also known as raags) by adding cinematic Western classical, jazz, and other influences.
“Anomaly” is the title of Jasdeep Singh’s extraordinary debut album, released on the prestigious Real World Records label. Singh was mentored by the iconic Nitin Sawhney on the 2016 Sky Academy Arts Scholarship that eventually led to this recording. Degun also worked with Sawhney’s producer, David McEwan.
On “Anomaly” you’ll find dazzling sitar solos and improvisations along with pieces with gorgeous vivid orchestrations.
There are 33 musicians that appear on Anomaly including a 16-member chamber music string ensemble, Nitin Sawhney and a dozen bright musicians from the British Asian community such as sitarist Roopa Panesar, South Indian percussionist Pirashanna Thevarajah, and esraj violinist Kirpal Panesar. “There are so many brilliant musicians from the Indian classical community in this country, but they are not signed to any western label,” says Degun. “I have looked and looked and rarely found any turbaned, bearded Sikh guys like me represented. I want to change that.”
About “Anomaly”, Degun says “Each track tells a story of my life, and each has something that makes it distinct,” says Degun, who is 30 years old. “Growing up in England I’ve soaked up different influences. I’ve studied Western classical music. I appreciate composers like Mahler and Mozart and film composers like A. R Rahman and John Williams. I’ve done studio sessions for artists such as Guy Chambers and Cerys Matthews and have written, arranged and produced music for orchestras, big music productions and contemporary classical ensembles. Sometimes I’ve compromised. Here, I had free rein to get my vision across.”
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.