Mara

Mara by Aditya Prakash Ensemble makes for an arresting listen. I'd wager I have never heard anything like this before.The album beautifully blends various musical traditions, but the dominant strand is the Carnatic (South Indian classical) style with a mixture of Hindustani (North Indian classical) style and jazz.And then there is that masterful konnokol or "the art of performing percussion syllables vocally in South Indian music." Another way to describe "konnokolv" is scatting in Carnatic music style - bet purists will shudder at this description.

Aditya Prakash Ensemble is a LA-based group. Prakash has been singing since he was 13 years old & it shows in the absolute mastery & control he has over his voice. He has worked with Pandit Ravi Shankar and other musicians.

Special mention must be made of all the musicians, who are part of the band for the beautiful way in which they blend their music. One is reminded of YoYo Ma's work in some ways.

All the tracks in this album work.

***1. The opening piano notes makes you wonder how this track will progress & then you hear Prakash's strong & confident voice. Beautiful & peppy. 2.53
***2. Beautiful track with Prakash's vocals is an absolute delight. 1.52
***3. Arresting vocals - konnokol style that you hear in traditional South Indian dance performances. Mesmerizing. 4:02
***4. Searching. Looking. Yearning. Those are the words that come to your mind when you listen to this track. 1.57
***5. Sounds of happiness & joy. Lovely blending of sax, piano, flute, drums & Carnatic style. 2:10
***6. Beautifully composed & arranged. Starts of mellow & gentle. 9.22
***7. Catchy tune & beat that instantly captures those marching thoughts in your mind. They do total justice to the title. 1.47
***8.Fast & catchy with scatting in Carnatic style. 1.31
***9. A beautifully rendered musical track. 2.47
**10. Infused with sadness & longing. Hindustani style of singing. 2.55
***11. Fast-paced. Fusion of Carnatic+jazz elements & that's the addiction. 1.13
***12. Peppy. Arresting. Play it. 2.52
***13. Slower in tempo & more reflective. 2.05
***14. Improvisation using Carnatic/funk/jazz elements. 2.05
***15. It starts off in a typical Carnatic style vocals & then the western instruments blend it. Stunning. 3.12
***16. Sax & drums are the opening notes & Prakash's vocals kick in. A great listen. 4.14
***17. Prakash's soaring voice grabs your attention. Mix of Carnatic/North Indian style. 3.42
***18. Starts of mellow/beautiful & then picks up speed & ends on a slow note. 1.22

Kamla Aug 2016