Opening with “The Gypsies of Rajasthan”, a praise song,
inspired by Rajasthani folk and Gypsy music, the mood is bright and exultant,
and illustrates perfectly how music can speak to differing cultures with
dialogue which is not so different wherever you are on the planet. “After the
Monsoon” demonstrates a far more meditative quality, one that is as soothing to
the soul as it is to the listener’s ears. “River Song” is inspired by bhatiyali
music, the folk style of Bengal, which is Ghosh’s
parental homeland. Again the imagery that flows from the music captures
perfectly essence of the waterways and culture that surrounds them. An
altogether sprightlier piece, “Sufi Stomp (Soul of Sindh)” is up-tempo and
celebrational, and utilises compositional structure and phrases from swing to
rock and roll, without ever losing the overall mood. “Mountain Song” is a
contemplative love song evocative of Nepalese panoramas. “Ode to the Martyrs”
is one of a number of pieces which form segues between the dialogue, and like
the others, “Pilgrimage to the Ganges”, “Arise Dancing Dervish!” and “Guatama’s
Footsteps”, is a transitional vignette created through musical improvisation and
mutual understanding.
The saga ends with
“Journey South” a dramatic progression which builds upon layers of repetition
into an almost trance like euphoria.
“A South Asian Suite” was originally commissioned by
Manchester Mega Mela and PRS for Music Foundation, and was premiered in 2010
performed as an octet. Subsequently the suite has been rearranged to include
table and piano, and on this recording, Nilesh
Gulhane and Zoe Rahman perform
these parts respectively. Where “world music” can sometimes be a phrase used to
indicate that musical cultures have been bolted together, “A South Asian Suite”
effortlessly fuses jazz and South Asian musical characteristics to form a
cohesive piece that not only is a joy to hear, but is an education for the
listener willing to engage and understand its’ influences.
