Metaraga

Reviewed: 2020—02-19
Genre: World
FCCs: none
Review: a genre-spanning aural landscape of world fusion with shifting influences from around the world loosely based on an Indian raga structure. I find myself on the verge of pinning down a familiar melodic phrasing when it suddenly morphs into something else. All beautifully performed. Check out the inspirations for the pieces on the inside jacket. Just sit back & enjoy the ride.
If You Like: Ancient Future, Doa, Jenny Scheinman,
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
**1/ Syzygy (7:56) – table starts> uptempo jam with shifting tempos & instruments> fade
***2/ Abhogi Varnam (7:56) – violin starts> midtempo jam> fade
Triality
*3/ Movement l (6:28) – percussion starts> midtempo jam> fade
*4/ Movement ll (4:12) – violin starts> bouncy uptempo jam> quick stop
5/ Movement iii (5:13) – tablas start> lightning fast jam slows to slow tempo, then swings back up> fade
**6/ Alabama (8:13) – violin starts low> slow tempo aunting hjam with guest clarinet> swings up to midtempo, then slows again> slow fade
*7/ Vatapi Ganapatum (17:33) – violin starts with a drone> slow jam slowly builds to uptempo with different stops along the way> quick fade
*8/ Vibration (7:26) – violins start> slow tempo jam builds to midtempo> quick fade