On a recent trip to Kathmandu to speak at a conference on creativity and entrepreneurship, I was delighted to meet up with Sachida Rauniyar, founder…
Himalayan Jam: World music group Trikaal blends Nepali folk music with Indian, jazz and Latin sound
Author: Madanmohan Rao
Madanmohan Rao is an author and media consultant from Bangalore, and global correspondent for world music and jazz for World Music Central and Jazzuality. He has written over 15 books on media, management and culture, and is research director for YourStory Media. Madan was formerly World Music Editor at Rave magazine and RJ at WorldSpace, and can be followed on Twitter at @MadanRao.
World fusion concert series kicks off in Bangalore with violin, flute and tuba
The world music circuit in India for the new year took off to a terrific start on January 2 in Bangalore, with a fusion concert…
The voice and energy of Parvathy Baul
Parvathy Baul Soulful Baul Songs (Ninaad) Parvathy Baul is one of the younger exponents of soul-searching baul music from Bengal. Baul is also part of…
Promising Indian fusion
Vyom Voice of Another World (Times Music) This promising Indian fusion band consists of Vinay Jadhav on guitars and vocals, Vaibhav Jadhav on bass, Vijay…
Haunting music from the highlands of the Andes
Alpamayo Flutes and Panpipes From The Andes (Arc, 2008) The haunting music on this album evokes the highlands of the Andes mountains in South America,…
Rock, Ballads, Spiritual Journeys and Fusion
Valentine Shipley The Wandering Mystic: Rustic Indian Echoes (Times Music) From rock and ballads to spiritual journeys and fusion, Delhi veteran Valentine Shipley has another…
Notable Cross-cultural Collaborations
Various Artists One World, Many Cultures (Putumayo, 2006) This is a superb Putumayo compilation, top of our pick this month. Duets seem all the rage…
Andalusian-Arabic synergies
Hossam Ramzy and Jose Luis Monton Flamenco Arabe 2 (Arc Music) Volume 1 was great and Volume 2 is equally spectacular! Yes, Egyptian percussion prodigy…
Calming New Age Blend of East and West
Al Gromer Khan and Amelia Cuni Monsoon Point (New Earth/India Today, 2007) With the CD cover promising “ambient soundscape and ancient dhrupad singing,” this album…
A Sharp Focus on the Didgeridoo
James Asher Feet in the Soil (New Earth/Music Today, 2002) This hit album by the prolific world music artist James Asher has a sharp focus…